Heliocentric | 
 enlarge | Artist: Paul Weller
Label: Universal / Island
Category: Music
List Price: £5.99
Buy New: £2.89
You Save: £3.10 (52%)
New (55) Used (17) Collectible (2) from £1.79
Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 6433
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Running Time: 48 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 542394
UPC: 731454239424
EAN: 0073145423942
ASIN: B00004SD3C
Release Date: April 10, 2000
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: uk post 48 hrs
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| Tracks:
| • | He's The Keeper | | • | Frightened | | • | Sweet Pea, My Sweet Pea | | • | Back In the Fire | | • | A Whale's Tale | | • | Dust and Ricks | | • | There's No Drinking After You're Dead | | • | With Time & Temperance | | • | Picking Up Sticks | | • | Love-LKss |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
It's a curious dichotomy: long one of rock's most literate songwriters, Paul Weller's always been at his best when it sounds like he's just knocked a song out. Whether with the Jam, the Style Council, or on his own, the Modfather's most pleasing tunes are his most natural. Think "In the City", think "You're The Best Thing", think "Wild Wood" or "Uh Huh Oh Yeh" or "Into Tomorrow"--and try not to think too much about the times when it sounds like he's been crafting a song for ages. That's the biggest problem with Heliocentric, a (don't say it!) ambitious album that features string arrangements by Robert Kirby (who has also worked with Nick Drake, the Strawbs and Elton John) and a drum solo (the horror!) on "Picking Up Sticks". That's not to say that there's not a lot to like on the album--there is, particularly the slow-burn tenderness of "Dust and Rocks" and the back-to-basics love song "Sweet Pea, My Sweet Pea". On Wild Wood, Weller asked "Has My Fire Really Gone Out"?; on Heliocentric, he shows that it still burns, just not as bright. --Randy Silver
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
Not his best but..... June 3, 2008
ModdyBoy67 (UK)
If you're expecting Stanley Road all over again then you're in for some disappointment. This isn't Paul's best album by a long way, but there are still some fine songs on here!
Worth buying in it's own right, but more so, for me, from the perspective that it got me into some of Ronnie Lane's solo stuff, which truly blew me away. When we remember The Small Faces, we almost inevitably think of Stevie, but check out some of Ronnie's own tunes, too, and you'll be as pleased as I was! We pass this way but once.....
 Good day sunshine..... August 25, 2006
Merry Terry
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Aside from the opener ("He's The Keeper") which could come from "Heavy Soul", there is a warmth about much of this album lacking from its aforementioned predecessor.
The songwriting chops are still in evidence. "Dust & Rocks" is an un-hailed classic which even at some length does not out-stay its welcome.
Robert Kirby adds some charming string-touches that compliment the quality of Weller's songwriting. "With Time And Temperance" is a key example of this.
We know full well that Steve White is a virtuoso drummer. To give the man a drum solo on the decent-enough "Picking Up Sticks" sounds impressive but does not make for cohesion on what feels at times like quite a tentative album.
The closer - "Loveless" - is stunning and is a reminder of the talent of the man and his music.
However what undermines this album is the charming but inconsequential "Sweet Pea, My Sweet Pea" (nice to write songs for your kids but keep them to yourself, maestro) and the lumpen "He's The Keeper" which is chugging muso-rock by numbers unfortunately - given its aim as a tribute to the wonderful Ronnie Lane.
However, there's enough on this album to make it well worth a purchase.
A very underrated album June 6, 2002
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I have to say that this album is criminally underrated. I have listened to all of Paul's albums through the many different guises he has used, and this is up there with them.
OK, so there are a couple of pretty duff tracks, Sweet Pea and Whales Tale definitely fall into that category, as does the opener, He's the Keeper, but these aside, the album is a winner. The last few tracks, from Time and Temperance onwards are superb, a collage of music with a full string orchestra and electric guitars fused together by Steve White's energetic drumming (never more apparent than on Picking Up Sticks). I would urge anyone in two minds to go for this album without hesitation. Weller has never undergone the kind of artistic crisis that Bob Dylan and Neil Young experienced in the 80s, or Paul McCartney in his 70s Wings days, and this album, along with the rest of his back catalogue confirms that.
 Sun Certainly Is The Centre! May 31, 2001
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Paul has always had a solo obsession with the sun. Here it has illuminated him into a much needed change of direction after the raucous Heavy Soul. It's better produced, better thought out, and better played, as if to compensate the sometimes jarring aspects of it's rough and ready predecessor. More laid back and accoustic, but nevertheless essential, Heliocentric is a shining example of the man with his back against the wall, coming up with the goods. Not that there isn't time for rocking out. There's No Drinking After You're Dead leaps out of the speakers like nothing heard from Paul in the last twenty years. He's The Keeper is a tad slower, but never fails to grab the attention, and is well worth checking out live. TSC rear their head in the beligerent shanty A Whale's Tale, which while upbeat is probably the weakest song on the album. With some fans this competes with Sweet Pea, his ode to his daughter Leah. You either love or hate it. It's quite a nice jaunty little tune, and pleasant enough, but was a mistake as a single. Back in the fire almost goes back to Wild Wood, dreamy and surreal, with almost a touch of hip hop in the production technique. Picking Up Sticks is a great piece of psychadelia, addictive and interspersed with what is more a drum break, than a solo, it benefits from shifting up a gear into a funked up jam at the end. The real strengths lie in the ballads though. Frightened shows the vulnerable Paul in a way he's not shown before, and it's charming. Dust and Rocks is a high spot, tender and warm, it also boasts what is perhaps the finest outro of Weller's career. With Time and Temperance shows the Nick Drake influence to the full, while exploring the marriage break up yet again. Then there's Loveless. Epic and beautiful, it gets to where TSC's Confessions album never quite managed, and makes you wish he had in the first place. All of these bolstered by the superb string arrangements of Robert Kirby show the man maybe mellowing, but when he's mellowing so nicely, and obviously better than appeared after the dispensable Brand New Start, you don't seem to mind. A great summer album, and a great example of Paul's gentler side. Jam fans may be divided, but general Paul and music fans should find something worth the investment here.
 not wellers best December 18, 2000
andrew (ilford, essex United Kingdom)
3 out of 11 found this review helpful
after all the classic paul weller ive listened to in the past this is a lazy uninspired album.maybe he has nothing left to say against the establishment now being rich and famous? i love paul wellers music but was so dissappointed by this half baked effort.its background pizza hut music.come on paul we know you have the talent for fantastic songs.stop being lazy and write about your feelings with some desire.everyone is allowed a bad album its only your first so i look forward to the next
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