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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Ever since Paul Weller rediscovered his creative mojo on 2008's "22 Dreams", he's been firing from all cylinders. Hooking up, for the first time in 28 years with Bruce Foxton from The Jam on bass, this is just as creative and eclectic as its predecessor though briefer at 16 tracks.
With an average song length of 3 minutes, the album flies past in little or no time, opening with the bombast of "Moonshine" (with a nice piano riff and atonal guitar breaks), and the chugging "Wake up the nation" both vintage Weller Rockers. The majestic "No tears left to cry" is sixties Rock/Pop, while the gently galloping "She speaks" is filled with jangly and gritty guitars and reverb.
The psychedelic "Andromeda" is captivating with tender lyrics ("My mood gets lifted with the gravity's pull/Looks like I'm smiling but I'm dying too"), while "Whatever next" is a brief instrumental with chiming effects.
The falsetto-sung "Aim high" is groovy Motown-style Soul, while the absolutely brilliant "Trees" is a constantly morphing Blues/Jazz/Rock delight with haunting female harmonies, at just over 4 minutes, a 5 part mini Rock Opera (inspired, he says, by visiting his dad just before he died). "Grasp & still connect" is Blues with hyperactive percussion, "7 & 3 is the striker's name" is a woozy Rocker, while the lovely retro "Pieces of a dream" is filled with magical piano swirls.
Most of the lyrics were apparently made up spontaneously in the studio, resulting in a free form, relaxed delivery. At almost 52, the Modfather confirms he's in the midst of a seriously impressive creative rebirth. Highly recommended!
With an average song length of 3 minutes, the album flies past in little or no time, opening with the bombast of "Moonshine" (with a nice piano riff and atonal guitar breaks), and the chugging "Wake up the nation" both vintage Weller Rockers. The majestic "No tears left to cry" is sixties Rock/Pop, while the gently galloping "She speaks" is filled with jangly and gritty guitars and reverb.
The psychedelic "Andromeda" is captivating with tender lyrics ("My mood gets lifted with the gravity's pull/Looks like I'm smiling but I'm dying too"), while "Whatever next" is a brief instrumental with chiming effects.
The falsetto-sung "Aim high" is groovy Motown-style Soul, while the absolutely brilliant "Trees" is a constantly morphing Blues/Jazz/Rock delight with haunting female harmonies, at just over 4 minutes, a 5 part mini Rock Opera (inspired, he says, by visiting his dad just before he died). "Grasp & still connect" is Blues with hyperactive percussion, "7 & 3 is the striker's name" is a woozy Rocker, while the lovely retro "Pieces of a dream" is filled with magical piano swirls.
Most of the lyrics were apparently made up spontaneously in the studio, resulting in a free form, relaxed delivery. At almost 52, the Modfather confirms he's in the midst of a seriously impressive creative rebirth. Highly recommended!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
You have to give Paul Weller credit, he plays what he wants to play, critics and fans be damned. We should all be grateful that he doesn't feed us warmed-over musical pap left over from his last burst of musical energy but always seems to come up with something new and challenging. On Wake Up the Nation, it is no different. Experimental is the word. He really comes out swinging and charges hard and fast, punching out sixteen songs in just under three-quarters of an hour.
Though it reminds me in the way it flows of Elvis Costello's great Imperial Bedroom and Spike albums, it sure wasn't love at first listen. As a matter of fact I didn't like it at all the first time I heard it. But this is Paul Weller, and I knew I'd eventually come around and so I have. And though this doesn't reach the glory of what I consider to be his best solo effort, As Is Now, it is a fine album nevertheless.
Here's what I like best: The title cut; No Tears to Cry; the driving Find the Torch, Burn the Plans; Aim High, a song unmistakeably Weller; the rocking Grasp and Still Connect; and the raucous Two Fat Ladies.
Paul Weller is one of the most talented musicians and songwriters on the scene today and along with the aforementioned Costello, should certainly be considered in the first rank of those who came from punk. He reinvents himself continually and it takes an adventurous listener to stay with him through thick and thin. But those who do will be aurally rewarded.
Wake Up the Nation is housed in a standard jewel box and is accompanied by an attractive booklet containing album info, lyrics, a few pictures, and a little commentary. If you are a true Weller fan, give this one a chance even if you are turned off at first as some have been. It's bound to grow on you and you will be glad you stayed with it.
Though it reminds me in the way it flows of Elvis Costello's great Imperial Bedroom and Spike albums, it sure wasn't love at first listen. As a matter of fact I didn't like it at all the first time I heard it. But this is Paul Weller, and I knew I'd eventually come around and so I have. And though this doesn't reach the glory of what I consider to be his best solo effort, As Is Now, it is a fine album nevertheless.
Here's what I like best: The title cut; No Tears to Cry; the driving Find the Torch, Burn the Plans; Aim High, a song unmistakeably Weller; the rocking Grasp and Still Connect; and the raucous Two Fat Ladies.
Paul Weller is one of the most talented musicians and songwriters on the scene today and along with the aforementioned Costello, should certainly be considered in the first rank of those who came from punk. He reinvents himself continually and it takes an adventurous listener to stay with him through thick and thin. But those who do will be aurally rewarded.
Wake Up the Nation is housed in a standard jewel box and is accompanied by an attractive booklet containing album info, lyrics, a few pictures, and a little commentary. If you are a true Weller fan, give this one a chance even if you are turned off at first as some have been. It's bound to grow on you and you will be glad you stayed with it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
One thing I can say is that Paul gets an A for ambition here - the 16 songs, clocking in at barely 40 minutes, are stylistically all over the map here. Whether that makes it a tour de force or a bloody mess -- that's for you to decide.
What's jumping out at me the most, naturally, are the more Jam-like (especially their Sound Affects/ripping-off-Revolver period) songs, especially the highlight for me so far in the quasi-psychedelic "Find the Torch/Burn the Plans," its melodic counterpart and more Carnaby Street-feeling closer "Two Fat Ladies," the title song which features our old neo-Mod buddy intoning "We're gonna wake up the nation / Don't be no drag," and "Fast Car/Slow Traffic" which probably could've qualified for (the now almost 35-year-old) In the City, for crying out loud.
On the more psyched-up side'd be "Andromeda," "She Speaks," and the almost Stranglers-like "7 & 3 Is the Striker's Name" ("my wings are clipped / but I still might fly away" - nice). Soul Paul is still more than present here too, in the rollicking opener "Moonshine," "No Tears to Cry," and "Aim High" (including a sampling from the old Blood Sweat & Tears song "Spinning Wheel.") The instrumental "In Amsterdam" ventures back into Style-Council café music territory. And don't even ask me about "Trees," which changes genres five times in the same freaking song (and by small coincidence, at 4+ minutes is the only song that breaks 3:10 here).
Not a bad guest list here, by the way. In addition to finally having Bruce Foxton back in the fold, we also got Kevin Shields, Bev Bevan (!) and Clem Cattini (!!!).
Paul's voice has gotten a little more shrill and clipped over the years, but the urgency and restlessness that marks his best work clearly hasn't waned here. The quality of the songs themselves... well, again, still working on that...
And I gotta give props to Simon Dine's production. I keep thinking someone's over my shoulder, the music sounds so live here. I've read other people complaining about it, but I don't know what they're talking about. It forces you to listen. Which again is good, because there's a lot to process here. And I'm gonna keep on doing that.
What's jumping out at me the most, naturally, are the more Jam-like (especially their Sound Affects/ripping-off-Revolver period) songs, especially the highlight for me so far in the quasi-psychedelic "Find the Torch/Burn the Plans," its melodic counterpart and more Carnaby Street-feeling closer "Two Fat Ladies," the title song which features our old neo-Mod buddy intoning "We're gonna wake up the nation / Don't be no drag," and "Fast Car/Slow Traffic" which probably could've qualified for (the now almost 35-year-old) In the City, for crying out loud.
On the more psyched-up side'd be "Andromeda," "She Speaks," and the almost Stranglers-like "7 & 3 Is the Striker's Name" ("my wings are clipped / but I still might fly away" - nice). Soul Paul is still more than present here too, in the rollicking opener "Moonshine," "No Tears to Cry," and "Aim High" (including a sampling from the old Blood Sweat & Tears song "Spinning Wheel.") The instrumental "In Amsterdam" ventures back into Style-Council café music territory. And don't even ask me about "Trees," which changes genres five times in the same freaking song (and by small coincidence, at 4+ minutes is the only song that breaks 3:10 here).
Not a bad guest list here, by the way. In addition to finally having Bruce Foxton back in the fold, we also got Kevin Shields, Bev Bevan (!) and Clem Cattini (!!!).
Paul's voice has gotten a little more shrill and clipped over the years, but the urgency and restlessness that marks his best work clearly hasn't waned here. The quality of the songs themselves... well, again, still working on that...
And I gotta give props to Simon Dine's production. I keep thinking someone's over my shoulder, the music sounds so live here. I've read other people complaining about it, but I don't know what they're talking about. It forces you to listen. Which again is good, because there's a lot to process here. And I'm gonna keep on doing that.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
great album from the modfather
after 22 dreams came out in 2008 i wasn't sure if paul was taking a break from music or what.I picked up wake up the nation and was surprised it had gumption and great song writing... Read more
Published 15 months ago by belmarbrat
I'm in Love....
..with this album right now and am eagerly awaiting my Vinyl copy in the post.
I've never been what you would call a P.W. or Jam fan. Read more
I've never been what you would call a P.W. or Jam fan. Read more
Published 16 months ago by anthony reynolds
Love the songs; hate the mix
I dig all the songs on this CD: sincere lyrics, honest performances; hooky riffs and melodies, stimulating sound experiments, etc. Read more
Published 16 months ago by George Griggs
challenging and overproduced
If this is not Paul Weller's album, I would stop listening after several songs. I have grown up with the Jam records, liked Style Council and I have really enjoyed 22 Dreams, so I... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Josef K.
One of Weller's best
If you like Paul Weller, this albums is a must-own. It has some of the best songs he has written and (unlike some of his records) is great to listen to as one piece of music. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Downstream
Hard to listen to this one...
I have been a huge fan of Paul Weller since the moment I heard the song "Clues" playing over the speakers at Tower Records (back in 1992), when I bought the CD immediatly and have... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Paul Harris
If you liked his 1st solo album, Wildwood, Illumination, and ...
As Is Now... then I DON'T recommend this one. Love this guy to death, has always been a role model for better living, but I really like his more soulful anglings, with the Council... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mod Rocker
Weller strikes again!
I just got this CD today and have not been able to stop playing it. What I love about him is his 'ever-changing moods'. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Richard L. Nordmann
just a few flaws from a true classic! 4 and half stars
Well ill start out with my few complaints- first do we really need two more songs with sha lla la" choruses- second there is some occassional lyrical "laziness' on a few tracks and... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Elan Bodwick
A mixed bag with horrible sound
Wake Up The Nation is yet another mixed-bag of an album from Paul Weller, despite continuing the renewed sense of exploration that came to the fore with 22 Dreams. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Kevin O'Conner
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