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Album Review
by SashaS
15-9-2002
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| Paul Weller's 'Illumination' |
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Paul Weller: 'Illumination'
(Independiente)
Paul Weller in more positive mood, perhaps
Where to commence a Paul Weller review, the acclaimed ‘Godfather of Mod’? Well, truly – there is no need to start anywhere but to continue as his musical maturing proceeds. Mr Weller has been on his musical journey for a quarter-century and sudden changes are very unlikely. He is happy and confident within his musical world of which ‘Illumination’ is a fine example.
The good thing nowadays in Weller’s creativity is that he embraces all his diverse influences and is less of a pedant he used to be in his band incarnations of previous decades. There is a wide variety of sounds here and some are more familiar than others: ‘Standing Out In The Universe’ is a pastiche of Thunderclap Newman’s ‘Something In The Air’, the single ‘It’s Written In The Stars’ could be Style Council revisited, ‘Now The Night Is Here’ echoes ‘That’s Entertainment’…
Guest are few and well spaced: Stereophonics’ Kelly Jones is duetting on ‘Call Me No 5’, Noel (drumming?!) and Gem of Oasis grace ‘One x One’, Steve Cradock (Ocean Colour Scene-ist) provides guitar parts on ‘Who Brings Joy’ and, for the Latino-flavoured instrumental ‘Spring (At Last), Aziz Ibrahim who used to be in The Stone Roses Mk 2. All these people but this is the Weller-land…
That is, surprisingly, getting closer to Van Morrison’s territory: there is the same dedication to music, unique (and somewhat single) vision and a temper that is legendary. Well, cantankerous is the word usually employed to describe both characters. ‘Give people what they want’ Weller sang long time ago and, if memory serves me right, it was in a critical sense; he is still battling it.
Weller makes music to satisfy himself – and that’s the ultimate criterion, all respect for it – and his maturing fans, he bends not to appeal to younger audience. But then, this album has a more positive sound about itself, it is Weller’s most upbeat music in years, so kids might get turned on…
John Squire, the former Stoner Rose-r, recently released solo-debut states that ‘Time Changes Everything’… Sometime you wonder, truly question the saying.
8/10
SashaS
15-9-2002
Paul Weller’s album ‘Illumination’ is released 16 September 2002 on Independiente
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