September 10, 2002

Weller, Paul : Illumination

Britrock's grumpy uncle returns to form with a spirited, joyous album

8 / 10 Asking Paul Weller to change course 25 years into his recording career is a bit like suggesting to Craig Nicholls he reads anti-burger bible Fast Food Nation. He won't do it and it's cruel to ask. Not that 'Illumination' won't come as a massive relief to long-term Wellerheads doubting their man's willingness to throw caution to the wind ever again. It will. The blues rock cul-de-sac that finally reached a dead end with 'Heliocentric' has at last been exited.

And if Paul isn't quite pretending he's French, dressing up as Geronimo or composing neo-classical scores with ex-members of the Merton Parka's on 'Ilumination' he has clearly regained his sense of adventure.

You'll have heard first single 'Written In The Stars'. Take one St. Etienne-esqe Northern Soul brass arrangement. Add a sparkling, upbeat lyric: "It's lit up in the stars that we're true/ We're destined in the sky to be glad". The result? The freshest, most joyous Weller single since, blimey, 'Wanted'. It's got more fun in it than the last two studio albums put together. An optimism last sighted on his long lost eponymous solo debut holds sway. Opener 'Going Places' ("Way across the rooftops/Gonna plan our escape") nods to the day-trip optimism of 'Clues'; 'Standing Out In The Universe' - a shameless nod to Thunderclap Newman's 'Something In The Air' - echoes the pastoral positivity of 'Bitterness Rising'. At points you could almost swear he's smiling.

Like at all decent parties, guests don't overstay their welcome. Kelly Jones provides a battery acid duet on 'Call Me No.5'; Noel'n'Gem noodle bleakly on 'One x One' and Steve Cradock applies classical guitar on a tender 'Who Brings Joy'. When Weller throws in a raga instrumental called 'Spring (At Last)' featuring Aziz 'Stone Roses Mk 2' Ibrahim, we're almost in 'Confessions Of A Pop Group' territory.

None of which, of course, will interest anybody under the age of 25. There are voodoo cults in New Guinea more alluring to wavering nu-metal teens than the new album from Paul Weller. But just as new albums from heroes as dusty as Neil Young and Dylan still retain an allure, so 'Illumination' proves that Paul Weller is still capable of providing us with a musical googly once in a while. Britrock's grumpy uncle has regained his gnarled spirit here and fans will feel all the better for it. Long may he rail.

Jason Fox