Customer Reviews

Heliocentric

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

I've been a long time Weller listener (through ALL the Jam, Style Council and Weller LPs) and I have to say that I've been pretty dissapointed by his last previous "solo" efforts (yes, even the over-hyped Stanley Road). That said, Heliocentric is absolutely BRILLIANT. Without question, Weller's best effort to date. Full of wonderful melodies and catchy hooks, Heliocentric is impossible not to like. It's reminiscent is some ways of Paul McCartney's "Ram." Heliocentric offers moments of the Jam, the Style Council and Weller solo, all mixed up and served in a brand new way. Paul hasn't been this melodically ambitious since the Style Council; this is GREAT listening. There's even a liner credit for Chris Difford of Squeeze (wonder what part he played in this gem?). Who says Weller is a modernist? This is an excellent album and a MUST HAVE for any Paul Weller fan.

I've thought about this album and review quite a bit and feel compelled to just say that this is what I consider to be Paul Weller's finest moment. Period. I've read reviews where people didn't connect with "Heliocentric" or thought he lost a step or whatever. I just don't get it. The melodies on this album and just fantastic and the vibe it produces as a whole is just so comfortable. Maybe it's just where I'm at in life now that I'm 38...I don't know. I don't feel compelled to always need loud, thrashin' energy in my music music like I did as a youth. Now, I find myself playing music that enhances (or changes) my moods more and more. This album does that every time. From the moment I bought "Heliocentric" five years ago to this day it has never left my car's CD changer (6-discs...). I have listened to this album from start to finish too many times to count and just absolutely dig the sound and vibe it produces.

I also appreciate the Style Council more and more, so maybe that tells where where I'm coming from. I have to say, that if you are reading this review, then you are contemplating buying this record. Just do it. You will dig it. I promise. Paul departs from much of his typical style and really kind of goes back and digs up somewhat of a '60's vibe that plays like a theme from start to finish. I'm not crazy about "There's No Drinking...," but even it has a place on here. I prefer tracks such as "With Time and Temperence," "Dust and Rocks," as well as "Out of the Fire," and on and on.

That's more than anough out of me. Yeah, this review is all over the map. What I'm trying to say is: I love this album and I just can't understand how anyone who is a fan of Weller doesn't see this album as an incredible effort, if not his all-time best. (by the way, his first solo album is also unreal and has aged like a fine wine....you gotta buy that one, too!).

Aargghh! The fact that this glorious new work by the magnificent Paul Weller is not (at this time) going to get a U.S. release is a sad state of affairs, indeed! What's with this country? Anyway, order it as an import, then. You must! This is his most focused solo album. All of them have been brilliant, in my humble estimation---but this one hangs together extraordinarily well. The first track, "He's The Keeper", is about Ronnie Lane. It's a beautiful, moving ode to a beautiful, moving man. The guitar solo is a thing of transcendence! Steve Cradock and Damon Minchella from Ocean Colour Scene (another sadly neglected band Stateside) provide guitar and bass duties, respectively. Great! Steve White, Paul's longtime drummer, is on his usual form---which is to say, the best drummer in all of rock/pop/whatever! The mood of the album is fairly dreamy and drifting, the string arrangements of Robert Kirby (of Nick Drake fame) lending the proceedings a pastoral air. "There Is No Drinking, After You're Dead" sounds like The Jam by way of the Middle East, and all the better for it! "A Whale's Tale" is another highlight---chugs along nicely, with an infectious chorus. "Frightened"---beautiful. "Dust And Rocks"---glorious. Anyway, I'll just say that this is very much a "grower". It doesn't grab you by the throat, like, say "Heavy Soul" does, but therein lies it's strength. This is a carefully crafted, beautifully measured piece of work that unfolds with great tenderness, and a lot of love. Good on yer, Paul!

Much like Heavy Soul, it takes a few listens to get the full impact. Once you find the groove, however, it's fairly irresistable. On a par with Wildwood in the Weller pantheon. Seems to be a synthesis of all the previous Weller incarnations (Jam, Style Council, solo). A bit of a lull on tracks 4-6, but closes very strong. String arrangements are fantastic, and the drum solo on Picking up Sticks is a hoot. Previous statement should give you some idea of the diversity of this CD.

I have been a fan of weller since the early Jam days in 1976/77. He has matured into a intelligent singer/songwriter. The tracks on this his new album have a more acoustic feel to them with the added strings (which he used during ths Style Council days). Hes the Keeper is a real throw-back to the Small Faces and is the best track on the album. The other tracks are well written with good sentimenmts (My Sweet Pea). This album is the best work since Stanley road and will i'm sure attract more fans!

Cheers John . Great Barr England

I highly recommend Heliocentric to any Paul weller fans! It may just be the best solo piece he's ever produced. Songs like Frightened and There's No Drinking When You're Dead are as outstanding as they are different. Frightened shows affinity for The Beatles, while No Drinking could've been a late Jam tune. Yet, both give insight into the man and the songwriter. Heliocentric is great.

Weller, the perrenial grumpy sod, hits the spot again! The songs are largely acoustic pastiches weaved together with intricate string arrangements. Fits nicely with his other solo efforts, and supersedes Heavy Soul as a more accomplished and mellower affair.

Ranks up there with Wild Wood, Stanley Road, and Illumination. Paul is still too cool for school. He hasn't lost his touch yet. The exciting thing is that he is so young and still turning out great albums. Who knows how many more classics he has in him.

Brilliant! One of his best. The kind of CD you can put on and everyone in the room will like the sound no matter what their musical taste. I have been listening to it so much I'm afraid it will tarnish and I'll have to buy another!