Customer Reviews

Stanley Road

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I will never forget the time when I first heard the Jam. I was about 12, 1981, and I was down in my neighbors basement in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was one of seven catholic kids, and he somehow ended up with a copy of In The City. It was the coolest thing I'd ever heard. It wasn't long before we were spray painting a piece of styrofoam in the same manner as the front of the album. Weller has been a huge part of my music heritage ever since.

Stanley Road finds Weller at the peak of his "3rd" life. To me, it's his defining moment as an artist. Weller hits the perfect notes with his 3rd solo album, an album filled with just enough artistic personal statements to sketch a portrait as rich as any singer-songwriter that I'm aware of. Porcelain Gods? Changingman? Pink on White Walls? In the Distance? Street With No Name? All classic, defining Weller moments. Who is Weller? Listen to Stanley Road. ala " I know I come from Woking & you say I'm a fraud, but my heart is in the city, where it belongs".

I was lucky enough to have this album as a companion on a rail trip through Europe when it first came out. Everytime I hear it, it reminds me of the hills in Italy and nights on the balcony overlooking the Amalfi coast. This album has the same rare capacity Weller's 1st album, In the City, had, that is, to define a time and a place. Pink on White Walls? How else to you explain the buildings in Italy?

"Don't waste your time, don't hesitate, life is but a moment you can't wait, Go and have your fun, go and lose your mind, but can you get back to the ones you left behind?"

Good Question!

I had written Paul Weller off after subpar outings with the Style Council. After the urging of a friend, he persuaded me to pick up this title. After listening to this, I realized Paul Weller going back to his roots with The Jam. Although it is much more mature than his old school days, I enjoyed this outing very much. His writing style has come back with some middle aged anger which made me very pleased. Fans will not be disappointed.

Weller had such a big act to follow when Stanley Rd was due for release, Wild Wood had signalled a return to power for the 'Mod Father' and in the height of the Uk Britpop boom it would take an album of quality to get noticed. This album was the perfect answer, combining the raw power of tracks such as The Changingman and the title track Stanley Road with the heart string pulling Broken Stones and You Do Something, which I have no doubt is one of the best love songs ever written. This album is an emotional journey, combining starting with fierce anger as The Changingman "lights a bitter fuse" which signals this musical explosion. The reurn of fire at the UK music press, who seemed unable to cope with Weller's changing moods, comes in Porcelein Gods as Weller protests "more advice to fill up you head, more empty words, from the living dead." But there is another all more peaceful, thankfully, and thoughtful side to this album. Carleen Anderson's voice on Wings of Speed leaves the listener enchanted, while Weller brings tears to the eyes as he pleads "You do something to me..." This thought is echoed in Time Passes... and Broken Stones.

This Album is darker and deeper than Wild Wood and this may not suit the tastes of the Weller fans out there, but this album has in it's time so far become a essential part of any record collection and will inevitably become, to steal a more recent promotional phrase, a modern classic.

This one seems to get great reviews elsewhere, but to me it typified Paul's 1990s fear to recreate any diversity of sound. The montonous accoustic style of music here didn't please me nearly as much as his Style Council days.
Having said that, it's just a matter of personal preference.
I still think there are some great songs on this album, named after Paul's childhood neighbourhood.

With Stanley Road Paul Weller has managed to prove to his fans and his critics that he is still an important musician even in his solo days. He hasn't just written 12 good songs, instead, he's written one great album. A factor in any great album is the overall feel that perpetuates each song, making them all feel as though they deserve their place and complimenting the songs that come before and after them.

A mostly guitar driven album, Weller fuses good solos and riffs with his usual effective lyrics, often ending a song with a long instrumental that gently ushers in the next song, which gladly and competently carries the album along. However, there is the occasional song that primarily uses the piano evoking another great feel. Though these songs are quite different from the guitar based ones, they seem to come at just the right points in the album so that, not only are they a nice change of direction, but also they effortlessly fit in. To truly appreciate this fine album start at the beginning and just let it play on to the end. It far outweighs the sum of its parts, and as these parts are so good, you're in for a great journey.

The Changing Man- This was a hit in the UK and is a good indication into how this album will sound. There are some great little examples of guitar work going on here, more will follow throughout the rest of the tracks.

Porcelain Gods- This songs brings the mellow vibe with its gentle electric guitar opening. The highlights are the lyrics; `How disappointed I was to turn out after all, just a porcelain god, that shatters when it falls'.

Walk On Guilded Splinters- Another slow bluesy track that follows on nicely from the previous. Again, the lyrics shine above all in this song. Wellar really does have a way of writing some interesting lyrics and his delivery of them are always great. The track ends with a slow jam that trickles to the end. Not a great tune, more of a little jam session that made it onto the album.

You Do Something To Me-From the beautiful piano intro we immediately know that we are going to hear something different in this song than wat was heard in the previous tracks. Simple and effective lyrics and likewise in the piano and guitars make this song so beautiful. A major standout on the album, absolutely heaven.

Woodcutter's Son-Back with a rocking guitar intro, a piano quickly joins in and we're back with a more upbeat tempo. This tune is quite catchy, and Wellars gruff voice shines throughout. Again, another track that ends with a long jam.

Time Passes-A lovely intro, great lyrics and a lovely mellow feel to it. I always forget about this track whenever I think about this album, but when it comes on I just fall in love with it all over again.

Stanley Road-The intro will have you tappin your feat to the piano and drum, another catchy little number. Despite the fact that this is the title song, it isn't anything too special. There is nothing wrong with it but there isn't that certain somethin that makes it stand out.

Broken Stones-Broken Stones is another simple yet beautiful track. Wellar can write great songs with great guitar parts that rock and groove but songs like this prove he can strip it all down and write a track that has the beauty and passion that other artists can.

Out Of The Sinking-A very bluesy song and once again some good lyrics. This song really suits Wellar's style of singing, I find he has a really underrated voice.

Pink On White Walls-I really like this song, though it is by no means one of the best on this album. It surely is underrated, it is borderline mediocre but i think it just manages to get on the right sode of the line.

Whirlpools' End-Overral I dont rate this song, but there are some good parts to it. I find it really gets good about 2 minutes in. I do love the jam that appears at the end for at least 4 minutes. Would be nice to play along in the studio.

Wings Of Speed-The final song is a strange one to end with, it has a gospek feel and almost sounds like nothing else on the album, save for the piano that was present in some of the songs. I really love this song, again simplistic and beautiful, Paul's voice holds it's own and the background singing is just fabulous. This song is too short, it needs to have a few more minutes of it. I just love it.

This album is top quality stuff. A fine blend of natural talented writing and top drawer session musicians. Stevie Winwood and Noel Gallagher (Oasis). H from Grappenhall, Warrington, England.

The musical genius of Paul Weller is brought forth on his 3rd solo work, "Stanley Road". A worthy follow up to "Wild Wood," "Stanley Road" shines with 12 tracks, 11 originals, and a soaring cover of Dr. John's "I Walk On Gilded Splinters" in which famous fan Noel Gallagher plays the acoustic guitar. Paul rocks out on such numbers as "The Changingman," in which he professes "the more I know, the less I understand," "Woodcutter's Son" and "Pink On White walls, (both led by Stevie Winwood's marvelous piano), and the uplifting "Out of the Sinking." Paul's gentler side is revealed in all it's glory on "You Do Something to Me," "Wings of Speed," and the fantastic "Time Passes...". "Whirlpool's End" is a harrowing tale of the tragedy of war, ever relevant in today's society, and a song which has people comparing him to Neil Young. Dig the funky guitar riffs on "Porcelain Gods," and "Woodcutter's Son", and revel in the simple majesty of "Broken Stones", as Paul's vocal's and electric piano playing in anchored by Steve White's sidestick drums, and Mark Nelson's fantastic bass. Paul gives it his all in this relaxed rocker that will get your foot tapping, and put a smile on your face. He's back to what he does best, as he says in "Pink on White Walls" - "Don't waste your time, don't hesitate, for life is but a moment you can't wait. Go and have your fun, go and lose your mind, but can you get back to the one's you left behind?" Paul certainly does, and churns out a classic in the process. *

Paul Wellar at his best. The album does not contain any songs that are less than brillant. The way he connects the songs always works and is a credit to his musical skills. Stand Out tracks include Time Passes and Changin man. Noel Gallagher also contributes his skills to the album.

I came across Paul Weller while looking for something else. He is a great British singer.Paul Weller is a master of the blues combined with rock.

I am a fan. I have enjoyed most of Weller's work from the 70's until now (2010). Stanley Road is another really solid outing. One thing you can say about Mr. Weller is that he has rarely stood still for very long. Yesterday I listened to his first (and most excellent) solo cd. Today it's the turn of Stanley Road - I cannot find my copy of Wild Wood! On this, his third solo release, the guitars and drums come to the forefront. A number of the songs rock out significantly more. The vocals are strong. There isn't a weak entry in sight - the songs range in quality from outstanding to merely great!

Stanley Road #1,882 on Amazion.UK, #5,932 on Amazon.ca and #57,122 on Amazon.com. I have never quite understood why Weller hasn't caught the ear of the American music buying public. It cannot be that he is just too English, like, for example, Ray Davies. His main influences sound to me to be of the ilk of Curtis Mayfield and other soul/r and b artists. I would have thought that he'd be a natural for US success. Anyway, this is just another terrific collection from the modfather. If you like his music you should love this cd.