REVIEW: Paul Weller, Heavy Soul (Island)

- Tim Kennedy

Paul Weller has a huge and adoring UK following, many of them dating back to the late seventies heyday of the Jam. He is probably the most respected figure of his generation still in music. His comeback since the implosion of the Style Council has been meteoric.

The last album Stanley Road to these ears was not a consistent affair, ranging from moody and downright depressing to suddenly euphoric and inspired. However it was celebrated by the UK critics, and sold truckloads at home.

The latest offering is a more consistent performance, with a homely sound being created by the efficient backing of Ocean Colour Scene. Weller's songs are soundly constructed, and nicely offset with occasional sixties flashbacks.

If Weller has a godfather it would not be McCartney, but Neil Young. Both share the same grim determination to see the job through, and frequently seem desolated. Their songs seem to rail at the unfairness of the situations of these two icons of late 20th Century rock and roll (well apparently). Not that unfair, say all of us.

The light touch of Weller's late seventies work is present in "In Suze's Room" (one may recall "Fly" from All Mod Cons). Elsewhere the mood is more sombre, though at times a little funky. The emphasis is on 'heavy' more than on 'soul'.

This is not an album of innovation, but rather one which displays an unerring dedication to the craft of the rock song, and will be eagerly welcomed by his legions of admirers.