Heavy Soul

Paul Weller's forth solo album is a must-have. I personally think this album is up there with his finest work. One of my all-time favorites. Heavy soul-rock, and some great ballads, superb songwriting. Love it! This vinyl pressing is also excellent. Far superior to the CD. Highly recommended!

Uno de esos discos que nadie debería dejar de escuchar

This is the third in a series (1993's Wildwood's, and 1995's Stanley Road) that helped define Paul Weller's musical career in the 1990's and cement his legendary status. A must-have for all fans of Jam/Style Council, Oasis, and similar musical styles

During the punk era and on into the nineties, I was heavily into jazz and tango. So I missed The Jam, the Style Council, and the first part of Paul Weller's solo career. My introduction to the music of Paul Weller came via an article in a business magazine (of all places) that highly recommended Illumination. The commentary in the recommendation was so intriguing that I ordered that and subsequently a couple of other Weller recordings. But it wasn't until my purchase of the great As Is Now that I became a confirmed Paul Weller fan.A couple of months ago, I spotted Heavy Soul and a couple of other Weller CDs I did not have at a good price in a favorite Encinitas record store and decided to buy the bunch. Well, Heavy Soul turned out to be the "heaviest" of the group. When you compare it to the music Weller is best known for, the style is very different.Some reviewers complain about elements of psychedelia in the music. The classic late-sixties style of lettering on the CD sleeve should have tipped them off that Heavy Soul is not the typical Weller album, if indeed any one is. The open-minded fan should find a lot to like here. There is some great rock and roll, some funky jive-honky soul, and touches of psychedelia throughout.My favorites are the title cut, Peacock Suit, Up In Suze's Room, Brushed, Science, Golden Sands, and As You Lean Into the Light. If you listen carefully, you will notice that the bass line on Driving Nowhere is evocative of early Love, while the introduction to Heavy Soul Pt. 2 sounds like a slow-motion lead-in to Neil Young's Southern Man.Those Weller fans who do not yet have Heavy Soul should take a chance on it. The CD is accompanied by an attractive booklet containing pictures, lyrics, and pertinent album information. And judging from the offerings here, the price is right!

Some reviewers complain that an artist has found a rut, often a comfortable one, that the artist steadfastly refuses to abandon. Other reviewers lament the fact the latest musical release of a singer or band isn't as enjoyable as past CDs because the performer has elected to veer off in a new direction. This is certainly a conundrum for the musician. Does he or she potentially abandon a built-in audience with the hope and expectation that he or she reaches a larger one, thereby running the very real risk that the former is lost and the latter never gathered? Fortunately, for those of us who enjoy the eclectic wanderings of our favourite artists Paul Weller is forever exploring new territory.Heavy Soul is a departure from his debut solo Cd and from both Wild Wood and Stanley Road. Although there are several songs that are in the vein of his earlier recordings this CD is dominated by exuberant guitars and drums. Relatively speaking it is definitely heavier. What I particularly enjoy are the psychedelic/prog influences on such songs as Heavy Soul (parts 1 & 2), Brushed, Friday Street, Science, As You Learn the Light and Mermaids.I have heard this CD many times without really listening to it. I disagree with AllMusic's comment that "there isn't much to explore on repeated plays." I actually enjoyed this music more in 2010 than I did in 1997. Indeed, as I play myself through Weller's catalog I find that this is the case with The Jam material and most of the solo stuff too. As far as Style Council is concerned I have to admit that I'm in the minority - absolutely love the majority of the band's output.

Paul Weller came out of the darkness of the late 80's early 90's when all from the modfather seemed lost. His PW Movement of 90-91 seemed to signal the end of his talent when he performed Jam tracks live, something which wreaks of scraping the barrel for material. However a true master can find inspiration from anywhere at any time and so it proved to be true. His first solo album was good but it was Wild Wood which signalled the return of this genius, the excellent Stanley Road then followed. Heavy Soul carries on that progression and whilst it is no better than his previous two albums it shows that his influences change to classic effect when he is writing his music. The title track is aggressive and soulful and means something personal to those who are willing to look into its inner meaning. 'Mermaids' and 'Friday street' are just superb catchy songs whilst 'Driving Nowhere' instantly reminded me of material on that classic album of 1970 Frees 'Fire & Water'. This album was not what I expected for very different reasons probably because I expect him to stand still and not be as inspiring as he made you feel from the year dot. He truly is a genius.

Weller's fourth solo studio album is not his best, but it is his most sonicly raw! Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad record, it's grand! The songs are great, but they're not his best batch. One gets the feeling by listening to this album that this is a bookend to his 90's output, and he's getting geared to explode into something fantasticly new. "Peacock Suit" is the most genuine expression of love for style and the MOD attitude that has ever been recorded. "Mermaids" applys this same urgancy in close to three minutes, only this time for a girl . Buy this record NOW!!!!!!! THis is the ONLY forty year old Rock n Roll (or should I say SOUL) artist out there who still has the guts, the balls, and the passion for the music he makes. If you say Sting, you don't know Rock n Roll. (I'm at work now, can't write anymore.) MODS RULE!!!

Excellent music

Livraison rapide - super artiste , super album, nostalgique des jams, j'avais des appréhensions qui se sont dissipées des la 1ere écoute - n 'hésitez pas -

Per alcuni meno ispirato del suo più blasonato antecedente ma tuttavia disco classico di Paul Weller con brani come Peacock suit. Bellissima Brushed, Up in Suze's room, Driving nowhere. C'è anche Friday street, Mermaids e il brano che da titolo all'album. Tra le mie preferite c'è As you lean into the light. Bellissimo melange tra rock, pop (Brit) Soul come solo Paul Weller può fare.

Amazing album ....... well produced.This album has been on my list for ages to get on vinyl and it did not disappoint.If you want a great Paul Weller album buys this it won’t disappoint .

Einfach nur schön. Vom ersten bis zum letzten Lied. Ich möchte sie nicht mehr missen. Dies ist eine ausdrückliche Kaufempfehlung.