Paul Weller - Movin On

strumjoughlamps

never been a fan, loved The Jam and The Style Council but never Weller as a solo artist..

but I absobloodylutely love his new track.

RandallFlagg

I can't really get into his solo stuff much either, not really liking this much.. will give a few listens though to see if that changes.

It's no "But I'm Different Now" "Boy About Town" "Liza Radley" "Great Depression" etc etc is it?

His solo stuff, apart from some of the earlier hits seems to lack a real hook and just seems a bit meandering and either bland or odd most of the time.

ICBM

strumjoughlamps said:

never been a fan, loved The Jam and The Style Council but never Weller as a solo artist..

Same here, but recently I have been revisiting it and finding that I do actually quite like most of it after all. The odd thing is that most other people seem to like The Jam and the solo stuff but hate the Style Council...

But I don't like this really. The song and the arrangement/production are a bit dull, and they seem to have done something to his voice so it doesn't sound as natural as it should.

strumjoughlamps

ICBM said:

strumjoughlamps said:

never been a fan, loved The Jam and The Style Council but never Weller as a solo artist..

Same here, but recently I have been revisiting it and finding that I do actually quite like most of it after all. The odd thing is that most other people seem to like The Jam and the solo stuff but hate the Style Council...

But I don't like this really. The song and the arrangement/production are a bit dull, and they seem to have done something to his voice so it doesn't sound as natural as it should.

that is probably why I like it, its not like his usual solo work.. It reminds me of Willy Porter (a singer/songwriter I love)

Iamnobody

I’m a massive Weller fan but this, like most of his recent output is pure drivel.

There’s no QC at Weller HQ - he’s chosen to surround himself with people that want to suck him off and probably daren’t point out that he’s writing is mediocre at best.

He’d be best off calling it a day - I read somewhere that 16 kids (or whatever) and several ex wife’s means he has to keep working.

If he needs money all he has to to is reform the Jam...

All my opinion of course -  but as someone who’s been loyal to him for 20+ years buying his music and watching him live it saddens me.

Wazmeister

The new album is a mellow acoustic one, and there are some superb moments on it. A couple of the tracks are the best Ive heard for years.

Iamnobody

Wazmeister said:

The new album is a mellow acoustic one, and there are some superb moments on it. A couple of the tracks are the best Ive heard for years.

Best from Weller or best tracks full stop? 

I found it almost unlistenable. I’m pretty shocked at the reviews it’s had:

Almost flawless.” – Mojo

“Luscious and uncomplicated beauty.” – Uncut

“True Meanings delights in the unexpected.” – Metro

“Weller’s song-writing is just as strong as it ever was… maybe even stronger.” – GQ

I can’t agree with any of those reviews. 

Hattigol

Wild Wood and Stanley Road are epic albums. Love them.

He has meandered in recent years though. Shame as I love him.

Saw the reviews of this one and thought (hoped?) they might be right. Sounds like they're not though?

Wazmeister

Iamnobody said:

Wazmeister said:

The new album is a mellow acoustic one, and there are some superb moments on it. A couple of the tracks are the best Ive heard for years.

Best from Weller or best tracks full stop? 

I found it almost unlistenable. I’m pretty shocked at the reviews it’s had:

Almost flawless.” – Mojo

“Luscious and uncomplicated beauty.” – Uncut

“True Meanings delights in the unexpected.” – Metro

“Weller’s song-writing is just as strong as it ever was… maybe even stronger.” – GQ

I can’t agree with any of those reviews. 

Steve, I share your frustration regarding recent years output. Ive been with him since the ‘Bucket & Spade’ Tour (79 ?) and I miss my old Weller...

But, listen to Moving On, White Horses, What Would He Say... these are some of the best, most profound and fantastic lyrics and melody for a long, long while.

I do like Van Morrison, and this is Wellers Moondance album, imho.

As an aside, what is the acoustic Weller is using below ? Great insight this, by the way.

https://youtu.be/wY06Ic-xZTE

Wazmeister

To summarise, aside from a few fillers, this is an outstanding album.

Put your headphones on, chill and think about life.... very touching...

ICBM

Wazmeister said:

As an aside, what is the acoustic Weller is using below ?

Guild Orpheum Jumbo

not_the_dj

strumjoughlamps said:

ICBM said:

strumjoughlamps said:

never been a fan, loved The Jam and The Style Council but never Weller as a solo artist..

Same here, but recently I have been revisiting it and finding that I do actually quite like most of it after all. The odd thing is that most other people seem to like The Jam and the solo stuff but hate the Style Council...

But I don't like this really. The song and the arrangement/production are a bit dull, and they seem to have done something to his voice so it doesn't sound as natural as it should.

that is probably why I like it, its not like his usual solo work.. It reminds me of Willy Porter (a singer/songwriter I love)

@strumjoughlamps good to see Willy Porter mentioned. First saw him opening for Tori Amos in the mid 90s, and then saw a couple of solo gigs in pretty small venues. I must check out his more recent stuff, I've lost track of him.

strumjoughlamps

not_the_dj said:

strumjoughlamps said:

ICBM said:

strumjoughlamps said:

never been a fan, loved The Jam and The Style Council but never Weller as a solo artist..

Same here, but recently I have been revisiting it and finding that I do actually quite like most of it after all. The odd thing is that most other people seem to like The Jam and the solo stuff but hate the Style Council...

But I don't like this really. The song and the arrangement/production are a bit dull, and they seem to have done something to his voice so it doesn't sound as natural as it should.

that is probably why I like it, its not like his usual solo work.. It reminds me of Willy Porter (a singer/songwriter I love)

@strumjoughlamps good to see Willy Porter mentioned. First saw him opening for Tori Amos in the mid 90s, and then saw a couple of solo gigs in pretty small venues. I must check out his more recent stuff, I've lost track of him.

That’s when I first heard of him on her Boys for Pele tour, absolutely loved him and have since. I remember having to pay £21.99 for Dog Eared Dream as he wasn’t known over here and had to get it import. 

Iamnobody

Wazmeister said:

Iamnobody said:

Wazmeister said:

The new album is a mellow acoustic one, and there are some superb moments on it. A couple of the tracks are the best Ive heard for years.

Best from Weller or best tracks full stop? 

I found it almost unlistenable. I’m pretty shocked at the reviews it’s had:

Almost flawless.” – Mojo

“Luscious and uncomplicated beauty.” – Uncut

“True Meanings delights in the unexpected.” – Metro

“Weller’s song-writing is just as strong as it ever was… maybe even stronger.” – GQ

I can’t agree with any of those reviews. 

Steve, I share your frustration regarding recent years output. Ive been with him since the ‘Bucket & Spade’ Tour (79 ?) and I miss my old Weller...

But, listen to Moving On, White Horses, What Would He Say... these are some of the best, most profound and fantastic lyrics and melody for a long, long while.

I do like Van Morrison, and this is Wellers Moondance album, imho.

As an aside, what is the acoustic Weller is using below ? Great insight this, by the way.

https://youtu.be/wY06Ic-xZTE

Sorry - I can’t accept that! It’s a good job we are all different. I’m glad some folk like it but ultimately disappointed as I’m convinced he could do better.

I think it’s bilge. Most of my pals agree who are around my age and got into Weller solo era so it’s not like we represent the ‘50 something in a Fred Perry t-shirt who can’t accept the Jam split’. 

Wazmeister

ICBM said:

Wazmeister said:

As an aside, what is the acoustic Weller is using below ?

Guild Orpheum Jumbo

As ever, cheers mate !