BIOGRAPHY 2000
After the longest period of quiet since the start of his solo career, Paul Weller is back with his first collection of new material in almost three years.
Written and recorded in the run-up to the end of a decade in which he re-established himself as a potent force on the UK music scene, the new album 'HELIOCENTRIC' is a striking collection of reflections and restatements on life and principles.
Twenty-odd years since the acclaim of his first number one hits, the easiest question to ask is what does Paul Weller mean in today's hyped-up, profit-motivated, image-fixated 'new millennium' ?
From 'spokesman for a generation' to 'style counciller' to 'godfather of britpop' he has constantly discarded, with a healthy disdain, the labels which casual observers have slung on his shoulders. And despite being one of our most articulate and passionate artists around, he has always preferred to let his songwriting do his talking for him.
No surprises then that when the tickle finger of fashion swung his way with the release of the classic' Wild Wood' and the massive commercial success of 'Stanley Road', then against him on the release of 'Heavy Soul', his response was constant. One minute the 'Modfather' the next a 'Dadrocker' he just shrugged the labels off his shoulders and smiled 'who gives a toss?'.
It's this attitude of self-reliance, single-mindedness and a passionate belief in music that has informed much of his best work and enabled him to continue to be a vital constituent in an ever-more ephemeral world. And a constant thorn in the sides of those who lust don't share that same desire and passion.
Love and hate in equal amounts.
Must mean you're doing something right.
HELIOCENTRIC = hello - in composition, sun adj. Heliocentric referred
to the sun as centre
Why so long since the last album?
"I had loads of songs written over the last few years, but I just wanted to find the right time to write songs with a positive feel. It's easier for me to write when I'm pissed off but I wanted to send out something with a bit more than just that. "
That positivity is evident from the opening lines on the album -
"Stone believer, it's a passion" Weller paying tribute
to someone he admires as not just true to his own principles but one who
encourages others:
"if he's willing to take a chance - come on people make a stance!"
Open and honest words in these cynical times.
The importance of finding a place to stand, of reconciling yourself to your position in the world seems to run through much of the album. Time and place are recurrent themes in many of the songs, checking the past and the future, but most pointedly addressing the present and pulling no punches about the state we're in.
"we should be playing in the sunshine happy to be part of everything,
not handled, greedy handlers, brought down and destroyed by their own ways"
(Back In The Fire)
It is these emotions and decisions that influence the mood of the record. Musical influences are harder to pin down.
"I wanted to stay away from any deliberate influences - I still listen to all the stuff I did before, and loads of new stuff - I might really like the Death in Vegas album but this doesn't sound anything like that, this is just me."
As a result the album is more considered and more about Weller's own musical style than any other influences.
"People have written that it's a folkish, pastoral record, but I don't think so, that's just something in one or two songs, nothing more than I've done before".
Musically the record eschews the plugged in-played live feel of much of 'Heavy Soul' for a balance of piano, keyboard and string-driven melodies supported by heart-beating bass and drums. The man's guitar is still there of course, but you're feeling its steel more than lust hearing it.
This is music that is infused with a spirit of immediacy and vision, with a freshness that allows songs like 'Dust and Rocks' or 'Picking Up Sticks' to reveal the layered depths beneath their straight-talking appearance.
"Some people always want to read personal stuff into all my songs but, if you pin them down to one thing you can only explain them away. 'Dust and Rocks' partly came from me reading that the universe is still a place where all these bits are still flying around, joining up, spinning off and beginning again " .
And time and again the music revolves, swirling from the speakers in circles, dubs and echoes, lighting the verses of time and place with off-centre movement. Touches of English psychedelia brush up against a celtic-tingeld twisted celebration, embracing both death and darkness and the spin and reel that can "light the candle and burn it well".
So an album with light and positivity at its centre, but acknowledging the shadows and doubt that balance the world, lust as with any new beginning, be it an album or a millennium, expectation and hope is ringed with uncertainty.
But the declaration of intent is clear from the very beginning:
"In the maelstrom of indecision Shine! Believe!"
'HELIOCENTRIC' IS RELEASED 10 APRIL 2000
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