release date: Sep. 16, 2002
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]
producer: Paul Weller, Simon Dine
label: Independiente Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Going Places" - 3. "Leafy Mysteries" - 4. "It's Written in the Stars" (4 / 5) - 6. "Now the Night Is Here" - 8. "One X One" (live) - 10. "All Good Books" - 12. "Standing Out in the Universe"
6th studio album by Paul Weller with a new producer marks a strong return to form. I really enjoy this album, which I find almost pars his so far best solo album, Wild Wood from 1993. This is not just the usual recipe. Here he challenges his talent - adds new layers to a solid style, sometimes more polished than ever, sometimes more naked and simple, and in other places just adding hints of new styles and by that producing a fine collection of soulful songs. He has turned to funk, blues, and (British) folk giving a edge to his albums over time, but I find his best when adding elements of soul. It's not sophisti-pop, which also has its source in soul, and by that could have put this closer to the music of The Style Council. It's more singer / songwriter, soul, and pop / rock in a fine blend.
The album topped the UK album charts list.
[ almusic.com 4,5 / 5, The Guardian 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3 / 5 stars ]
[ almusic.com 4,5 / 5, The Guardian 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3 / 5 stars ]
