A Great CD!

Why is it reviews of Weller always mention The Jam and Style Council? They were great bands, and I'm certainly a fan of them. Regardless, it's 25 years on, and let's listen to Illumination for what it is rather than the what it's not. I'll also applaud Mr. Weller for making music on his terms rather than cashing in on past glory.



Mr. Weller is a rare musical talent. His songwriting on Illuminatin reflects universal thoughts and emotions. It is recorded with minimal technological interference. This gives it a very laid back vibe, and an almost live feel. In a time where music recording electronically modifies pitches so everything is perfectly in tune, this is a welcome change.



Mr. Weller doesn't like to revisit old material. He challenges the listener to go with him. Most of his albums are growers. This is no exception. I've probably changed my favourite song off this CD 25 times.



I intended to write a song by song analysis, but my comments were all sounding the same. I'll just say I have an emotional connection to every one. Mr. Weller expresses his thoughts extremely well, and I've shared the same feelings. It's a that's-what-I-was felling perspective. Or a I've hoped for that too thing. There are several guest appearances. Each guest leaves you with a happy to play with Paul emotion. It's rare you have collaberations like this which are focused on music not dollars. For listeners not familiar with Brit music, you'll be enticed to investigate the Stereophonics due to Kelly Jones' collaberation



The bonus dvd is a wonderful extra. As a US fan, chances to see Weller live are minimal. The DVD illustrate the power, beauty, and passion in his songwriting.



A must buy for any music fan.

CLASSIC WELLER AT HIS BEST

I've had this album for a few months now and it has only gotten better and better with each listen. The melodic hooks are brilliant, the lyrics are genius, and Weller sounds as fresh today as in the late 70s. I would put this album on par with Wild Wood and Stanley Road. If you are a Weller fan, I think you'll definitely dig this one.

King Mod

Few pop stars age gracefully. Some descend into irrelevance (Elton John) or are canonized on the basis of recordings made during the Stone Age (Clapton). Sting, whose outfit the Police was roughly contemporaneous with the Jam, re-invented himself as a crooner of schmaltz and composer of TV commercial soundtracks. It's enough to not trust anyone over 40.



Enter Paul Weller and and 2002's Illumination. How is it that he can sing the seemingly insipid "Now the Night is Here" without emerging covered head-to-toe in molasses? I don't know. Not since the Flying Burrito Brothers' little-known gem, "Here Tonight," has a love song sounded so uncontrived and sincere. "Going Places," the CD's opener, is a gentle yet stubborn paean to mutability in an era of diminished expectations. Whether a soulful ballad or guitar-saturated rocker, Illumination has an edginess often lacking in today's hipster bands. After more than a quarter century in the business, Weller has moved beyond the youthful anger of the Jam's Setting Sons, yet Illumination proves that Weller has retained that most elusive of accolades -- street cred.



The "bonus" songs, especially the Kinkish "Push Button, Automatic," blend right in, unlike most CD add-on tracks. The DVD is an appropriate finale, with strong live performances of "Sunflower" and "You Do Something To Me," from earlier solo albums, and Illumination videos, including the Squeeze-like "It's Written in the Stars."