release date: Oct. 26, 1998
format: digital
[album rate: 2 / 5] [2,02]
producer: The Style Council
label: PolyGram - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 6. "That Spiritual Feeling"
5th and final studio album by The Style Council - an album the record label rejected upon its completion in 1989, which led to the band splitting up. The first three albums by The Style Council had all sold quite well in the UK, all reaching at least number #2 on the national charts list but with the fourth album Confessions of a Pop Group, it 'only' a positions as number #15, so what made the band risk a major stylistic change, was not accepted by the label. However, here it is - released a decade after its completion. Apparently, Weller said that the band should have split two-three years before they actually did, meaning before or after recording The Cost of Living (1987). Anyway, this is a strange album. Not for its time but for being a release by a sophisti-pop band. And then again: thinking of how well Everything but the Girl made their move from sophist-pop to dance-pop and electronic, would make this an accepted decision. However, Paul Weller and Co. simply weren't accustomed with the genre nor did they get the same and perfect helping hand from someone who knew about the style they boarded. Na, this is weak, though, not worse than the band's '87 album, but frankly, this should have stayed on the shelf.
Not recommended.
[ allmusic.com 1,5 / 5 stars ]