Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 26-30 of 48
 Boring June 13, 2008
J. Cantwell (Leeds, UK)
6 out of 18 found this review helpful
There really is nothing excting in this album.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a massive Weller fan but it just doesn't come close to his previous albums.
Normally after 3 or 4 listens you can sing along with several stand-out tracks but there is just nothing of any substance here. Some of the better songs are over before they get going and the longer tracks are just filler.
In future I think he should stick to quality, not quantity.
In fact I'm so disappointed I may even send it back for a refund........
 The Changing Man June 12, 2008
Zoso
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
One of the understated partnerships in British Rock history has been that of Paul Weller and his outstanding long- serving drummer Steve White (Whitey).Whitey's collaboration with Weller and his effect on the Wild Wood/Stanley Road sound has yet to be estimated but since the Style Council days other band members have come and gone but the incomparable Whitey has remained that is until last year. With a change of management and the need for a new creative impetus, Weller disbanded the White, Minchella and Craddock band that had served him so well in recent years and embarked on a new phase. The result? - the changing man has undoubtedly moved on and produced the best Weller album since Stanley Road .The contributions of Craddock and Dine are considerable but Weller has given himself the freedom here to produce an album drawing on a variety of different styles and influences and the end result is a supremely confident,relaxed and enthralling collection of tracks covering rock, folk, soul, psychedelia ,instrumentals, latin et al. A dreamland jamboree of sound with the bonus of a stream of consciousness piece of writing on the cover notes by,one presumes,the poet Simon Armitage that weaves deftly through the themes of the album. This collection of 22 songs wastes precious few moments and is intelligent, mature and indicative of Weller as `a walking dictionary' of musical knowledge and styles. The downsides?--the drumming -that is apart from `Cold moments' the only track on which Whitey appears!
Back to his best June 12, 2008
M. Shiel Dods (North Yorkshire, UK)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Anyone with an eye on the music press will have seen the gushing reviews for 22 Dreams. Once an act reaches a certain level every new release is lauded as a return to form (Morrissey, Bowie....) and inevitably the reality is more than a little disappointing. So I approached the new Weller with a sceptical ear, his recent releases have had their moments but for someone brought up on the Jam and the Style Council they've been underwhelming for the most part.
I'm glad to say though that 22 Dreams isn't just a return to form, it's a return to the fire, passion and adventure which inspired his best work. This is really a companion piece to Sound Effects, Cafe Blue or Wild Wood in that it shows a spirit of open minded inquiry which has been sadly lacking from his recent work. It helps too that his voice is as good as it's ever been too.
If you've no interest in exploring the byways of popular music such as krautrock, folk or free jazz with Weller then you'd better stick to the tried and trusted britrock he's been peddling since Stanley Road. If you're at all curious in seeing where Weller's going then jump right in, it's an exhilarating and moving experience.
Wellers Fire Has Still Not Gone Out June 12, 2008
Mr. D. J. Mcmurray (UK)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Lets face it, this album had a lot of hype leading up to it, with many saying that it is wellers white album. I agree this is Wellers White album, like the white album it is experimental and has a few throw away tracks, but on the whole it is what it is and thats a classic album. Many hardcore Weller fans might not like it, as it is very different from all his other stuff, but I like how Weller is trying out new sounds and this album. There are many stand out tracks such as Light Nights, Echos Round the Sun and Why Walk When You Can run. Even the instrumentals are good on here, and help break up a long album.
All in all i find this album amazing, and its amazing how at 50 weller still sounds vital
21 alternative ideas June 12, 2008
I. H. C. Mellor (Milton Keynes)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Not maybe what we have come to expect from Paul Weller but maybe it is time he made an album that has so many diverse ideas and structures in it. Comparing this album to much of his early work it could almost be another artist performing here, but Paul has come up with what seems like a reinvention of himself. I imagine he has decided that the time has come to enjoy making an album of songs that allows him to try out a lot of new ideas along with the old ones and provide a selection of songs which show a wide variety of styles and sounds, from rock'n'roll to soul and ballad. A very enjoyable album to listen to and a good album to get if you have not been a Paul Weller fan up until now. Something for everyone I think.
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