Blimey - what a fun album. Dad rock slippers swopped for a far more adventurous approach and set of songs. After two good listens I think this one has the potential to be a classic.

Weller fans should love it, especially the ones who think that some of his best work comes from his style council days.

I agree i am a weller fan and its a cracker

Worth it for Jam fans who find the style council a bit on the tame side (apart from money-go-round)?

Haven't listened to most of his recent stuff.

Saw him on 'Later! recently & thought the songs were a bit ploddy, same old-same old kinda stuff. Was that representative of the album, or is it better than that?
I'm not a massive fan of his stuff, but I do like some of his work from all of his dufferent eras.
"Into tomorrow" from a few years ago was a cracker, I thought.
Matt.

I am looking out for it. The US release in in July but the imports are available next week. I see that it will be out as a double LP as well.

Matt

On my list as well.

M

I would say this is one of the albums of the year

My highlights at the moment are:

Empty ring - a glorious summer skip of a song.

Cold moments has such a great groove and the keyboards and strings that float through the song are beautiful.

One Bright Star - Weller does a Tango and it works!

Lullaby for Kinder - Like a lost classic style council tune. Makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

Where'er ye go - Simple, piano led and highly effective. Think small faces meets John Martyn

Sea Spray - Love the way the guitar harmonics drop into a great foot stomping, uplifting song.

A really creative album and a real grower

Available in the shops @ HMV for £19.99. Haven't seen the black plastic stuff in HMV for quite a while so a real pleasure to see them selling douple LP's in the "proper" format

Gary

The feedback in this thread has increased my anticipation. I just ordered my copy of the LP today and have to wait until Thursday to hear it now.

Matt

After two runs through I have to say that this may well be a classic Weller turning point album. By which I mean like the jump from the Jam to the Style Council to Wild Wood.

The missing track 22 could easily be his take on "John Barleycorn" with Martin and Eliza Carthy that was on The Word's Jan CD.

Jono

I love the album. Splashed out today on the vinyl in the hope I could love the album even more. I regret that I am finding it almost unbearable to listen to - grating and nerve-jangling .

I bought it last week and find it a mixed bag so far - from excellent to grim. Oh well, I'll stick with it and see what happens.

Jim