Paul Weller - Heavy Soul (1997)

Country: United Kingdom

Genre: Alternative Rock

Label Number: 314-524 277-2

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© 1997 Island Records

Heavy Soul Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Like Stanley Road before it, Heavy Soul is more about vibe than songs. There are a few sharply written tracks here and there, but what's important is the rootsy, stripped-down atmosphere. Paul Weller's soul and R&B influences reign supreme on Heavy Soul, yet they are filtered through late-'60s psychedelia, blues-rock and prog folk, as he takes songs into extended instrumental jams. The band sounds tight, but Weller has suffered a bit of a songwriting slump, which is evidenced by the handful of keepers that form the core of the album. "Up in Suze's Room" is a hazy, folky gem, the soulful apology "I Should Have Been There to Inspire You" is affecting, and "Peacock Suit" is a fine "Changing Man" rewrite, but too much of Heavy Soul is concerned with texture instead of content. That doesn't make it a difficult listen -- in fact, it's quite entertaining while it's playing -- but there isn't much to explore on repeated plays. 

 

tags: paul weller, heavy soul, 1997, flac,