The definitive Paul Weller thread (drum, hardcore, indie, jazz)

[sweet_nothing]

Noel Gallgher on Paul's new album
Oasis Noel Gallagher hails Paul Weller's 'brave' new album | News | NME.COM

[Molecules]

Originally Posted by right-track

Paul Weller is responsible for writing some of my favourite tunes of all time. 'Down in the Tubestation at Midnight' would possibly make my top ten ever.
Surprised you didn't include 'Strange Town' and 'Butterfly Collector', but then again, it aint my list.
Not so keen on 'Start', too much like The Beatles 'Taxman' for comfort IMO. Good choice with 'Art School' though.
Weller's early songwriting was brilliant and at it's best (his angry young man attitude) he's every bit as good as Ray Davies.

Never liked his Style Council phase and was well chuffed when he released Stanley Road.
He's everything Noel Gallagher wants to be, but never will.

It IS Taxman, I have no idea how they got away with that.
'All Mod Cons' is one of my favourite albums (I just love the way the Jam were the only punk-era band to be wearing their 60's influence on their sleeve) and 'Our Favourite Shop' by the Style Council is an 80's classic IMO.
Probably need to pick up 'Wild Wood'. Neat-o!

[DJ Phoenix]

Anyone here like them? or Paul Wellers solo stuff? i have a friend who raves about them all the time, I dont get it, not impressed, sorry.

[jackhammer]

I am still dissapointed at the lack of views on his latest release. Shall I get it or not?

[sweet_nothing]

Depends If youre actually paying for it.

[Friday]

Originally Posted by jackhammer

I am still dissapointed at the lack of views on his latest release. Shall I get it or not?

I can't decide what I think on it, because I'm just not bowled over by it nor do I think it's terrible.
The Curtis Mayfield vibes are nice though I must say. And the production is good (though not as good as Stanley Road)

[Akira]

I am a huge fan of Stanley Road, I think that it is his best work as a solo artist. I know that Wild Wood is often sited as his best but for me Stanley Road works better as an album, each track complements the one after it and they all mesh together brilliantly to make a great listen.

Having said that, I haven't given 22 Dreams a decent enough listen to critique it.

[zekethefreak]

Originally Posted by DJ Phoenix

Anyone here like them? or Paul Wellers solo stuff? i have a friend who raves about them all the time, I dont get it, not impressed, sorry.

I gotta say, of the three incarnations of Paul Weller, the Style Council is by far my favorite. I have owned solo albums, and there was some quality tunes, I own some of The Jam on vinyl, and enjoy it from time to time, but I really feel like Paul's true virtuosity came with The Style Council. If you listen to "My Ever Changing Moods", you hear so many different musical styles. With The Jam, mostly one style...good, yes... but not much variety. The same goes for most of the solo stuff that I've heard (his first couple solo albums). There was a chemistry found between Paul and Mick Talbot, not to mention the drum prodigy Steve White. You want some good Acid Jazz, check out Talbot and White's stuff...

[Mirrorball95]

Now this may not be too popular as most people I come across dont really appreciate him as much as I do.
He is one of my favourite artists. I first heard The Jam first whom I rate the lowest amongst all of his musical projects. I prefer the Style Council although they commited some terrible crimes in some of their videos (check out 'Long Hot Summer' if you dare!) they had a lot more creativity bringing funk,soul& r&b with strongly political motivation behind most of their songs) than the hooligan-like anthems The Jam did although 'That's Entertainment' is a fantastic song. My favourite Style Council album is their very last one entitled 'Confessions Of A Pop Group'. Massively underrated album.
But most of all it is Paul Weller's solo work for me that stands head and shoulders above The Jam & The Style Council put together. My favourites are his first self titled album which is sort of a cross between his move into more guitar based music & still reminiscent of the Style Council at the same time. Wild Wood has such a raw sound that it sounds like hes there with you in your livingroom playing + every single song from start to finish is immense. (Best tracks 'Can You Heal Us Holy Man','5th Season','Country', 'All The Pictures On The Wall' + the two instrumental tracks are cracking.
Also Stanley Road is obviously his most commercially succesful but contains some of the most beautiful songs Ive ever heard- 'Stanley Road', 'Porcelain Gods', 'Broken Stones', 'Wings Of Speed' but most of all 'Time Passes'- I have the deluxe edition also where he did demo covers of Neil Young's 'Out On The Weekend' which i actually prefer to the original & 'Corrina Corrina' off Bob Dylans 'Freewheelin' album.
Also I love the Heavy Soul album i think the title track is excellent especially the lyrics- 'We're Words Upon A Window, Written There In Steam...' Also I bought the 'Brushed' (from Heavy Soul) single a few months and contains a great extended jam from Stanley Road sessions called 'Steam' & a good track called 'Shoot The Dove' + an excellent cover of 'Aint No Love In The Heart Of The City'.
Personally I think he kind of lost his way after 1997+ but sort of picked up with As Is Now (2005) (although I throughly enjoyed his 'Studio 150' covers album (2004)) but really blew me away with '22 Dreams' which is really excellent especially the last three tracks on the album which is just pure experimentation. Also the first track on the album 'Light Nights' has been described as 'Acid Folk'.
As for Live albums I love the 'Live Wood' album and personally rank it amongst one of the greatest live albums of all time (out of what Ive heard so far anyway). Just the sheer energy of that album makes it one of my favourites.
Also another gem to check out is his Glastonbury 1994 Performance where he did the cover of Neil Young's 'Ohio' again this is parallel to the sheer energy and passion from 'Live Wood' performances.
YouTube - Paul Weller- Ohio Live

Anyway anyone who agrees/disagrees with anything I have said here please get back to us..

[right-track]

thread merged.

Nice post Mirrorball95.