Heliocentric

by

Paul Weller

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As someone who owns all domestic (and nearly all import) Jam, Style Council, and solo music Paul Weller has done, I'm probably not the best person to give an objective review of Heliocentric. That being said, his latest release is the best of his nine year solo career.

It is a record that grows on you. There's a lot that's going on on this record. It's so intricate that it deserves a few listens. It's reminiscent of Beatles recordings, or more recently, layered pop outings like Wilco's Summerteeth. The string arrangements are wonderful, and Weller's talent for melody is in tact throughout.

"Freightened," "With Time and Temperance," and "Love-Less" are all standouts. In fact, "Love-Less" sounds Style Council-esque. This may be the best song you will hear in 2000, period. It soars. His guitar in "There's No Drinking After You're Dead" sounds downright Jam-like. Add to it a unique and powerful orchestral backing, and you've got a song that sounds like nothing else currently in record stores.

The lilt of "Dust and Rocks"; the hummability of "A Whale's Tale"; it's all here. If there are old Jam fans who can't get over the fact that he's no longer in a power trio and won't listen to this new release then it is surely their loss. The angry teenager of The Jam is now a 42-year-old father, coming to grips with middle-age and responsibility. Now he's able to write a catchy, unpretentious song for his daughter "Sweat Pea, My Sweet Pea."

In this music world of slick dance moves and image calculation, I can only hope that Weller gets his due here in America. There are certain artists who's work is innately passionate (i.e. Bruce Springsteen.) Paul Weller is one of those people. When it is released in the US, professional critics will agree with me that this record deserves all the accolades it will receive.