Paul Weller

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Paul Weller

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Paul Weller's first solo album feels quite like any of the Style Council's albums- Jazzy cords, funk interludes and romantic themes. In fact, most of the members of Style Council play the music.

It makes sense that Paul Weller "disbanded" the Style Council. Although I believe they were an amazing band, it had definitely run it's course with the final unreleased album of house music that record label refused to release (although you can hear it in it's entirety on the box set). Paul Weller needed to break out of the box he had created with the Style Council- much what he did with The Jam but with a lot less controversy.

"Paul Weller", in some ways is a cathartic album, in that it is him shaking out all the ideas that he wanted to get out on Style Council albums while going into the new direction that he would hit his stride with on his next album Wild Wood.

Song's like Uh-Huh Oh Yeah and Into Tomorrow were definitely new directions for Weller. Earthier, more soul, less polish. While Round & Round, Amongst the Butterflies, Above the Clouds and Remember How We Started fit in with plenty of The Style Council's catalog, there is a an earthiness that wasn't present before which makes for a nice cohesiveness between the old and new styles.

"Paul Weller" is an excellent album; he was on top of his game but in a transitional mode; every song is engaging and moody. This and Wild Wood are excellent solo albums to check out if you are interested in Paul Weller. Also check out The Jam's All Mod Cons and Sound Effects as well as The Style Council's "Introducing..." or just about any of their compilations (but try to find one that has "Heaven's Above").