Paul Weller - Heavy Soul

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. 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.


01. Heavy Soul
02. Peacock Suit
03. Up In Suzes' Room
04. Brushed
05. Driving Nowhere
06. I Should Have Been There To Inspire You
07. Heavy Soul (Pt. 2)
08. Friday Street
09. Science
10. Golden Sands
11. As You Lean Into The Light
12. Mermaids

Paul Weller - Heavy Soul