FFWD Weekly
Copyright © 1997. All Rights Reserved.
PAUL WELLER
Heavy Soul
Island· New solo album from Jam / Style Council's frontman and the reigning godfather of the British pop community.
· First record for Island Records.
Despite the name, Heavy Soul, Paul Weller's third solo record isn't.
While an aficionado of soul music, as shown with his '80s venture The Style Council and his first solo release, Weller has opted to release a fairly straight-ahead rock record without much pretense or focus.
For the most part recording with a stripped-down trio, Weller prances through 12 songs as casually as a mod sips cappuccino. While always stylish - never forgetting to drop down a few clever hooks - Heavy Soul is just a little monotonous. Considering his past record of defining genres, Weller seems intent on avoiding them with this release.
The rock format is a great place for Weller's trademark youthful anger to peek through, (although it does seem a little strange coming from someone who's obviously as wealthy as he is) and the occasional bit of brilliance pops up. The flip side, when he relaxes a bit ("Up in Suzes' Room," "As You Lean Into The Night") is nice enough, but fails to capture the emotion of some of his past work.
On one hand it's nice to see Weller - who in the past has been the king of pretentiousness - relax and just be himself; a T-shirt and jeans kind of guy for a change. On the other hand, those flash jackets of the past sure were nice.
3/5
Ian Chiclo
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