indy cd & vinyl

PAUL WELLER—22 DREAMS

22 Dreams is Paul Weller’s 9th solo album, and it is his best and most varied solo work to date. Comprising 21 tracks (the “22nd dream” is a story in the liner notes) spread over 70-plus minutes, Weller says of the album, “I really wanted to push the boat out.” Not the usual move for someone who just turned 50 and in 2007 received a Lifetime Achievement award at the Brits (Britain’s equivalent of the Grammys). But push the boat out he does, as this disc incorporates everything from the balls-out rock approach of his first, legendary group, The Jam, the soul and jazzy stylings of his second group The Style Council, with further forays into folk, world, classical, krautrock, funk, psychedelia, and spoken word. And, unbelievably, with the exception of the spoken word piece, “God,” everything works brilliantly. Opener “Light Nights” presents us with gypsy violin, acoustic strumming and a beautiful melody. The title track follows, a horn-driven rocker. The next tune takes an approach somewhat like the 60s group Traffic, incorporating an English folk-rock sound. “Why Walk When You Can Run” is one of the standout tracks, as it has an anthemic, Jam-like feel, but without any drums or bass. There are a number of piano-led instrumental interludes, all beautifully constructed. And who would expect the former Jam leader to be able to pull off a song whose chorus is “Carry me home, carry me home, you old sea spray” (“Sea Spray”). Noel Gallagher collaborates on “Echoes Around The Sun,” a great psychedelic rocker. At 21 tunes, there isn’t space to list all the individual songs and styles that Weller brings to fruition here, but rest assured the melodies and arrangements are consistently strong, even when understated (e.g., “Where’er Ye Go”). One always wonders how rock stars will cope with advancing years. Somehow, Weller kicks all such questions into the can on this disc as his creativity continues undiminished, and his passion for all styles of music shines throughout. If you think Neil Young or Bruce Springsteen continue to defy the odds by putting out excellent new material, Paul Weller proves himself to be at least their equal at the half-century mark.