Album Review: Paul Weller - Wake Up the Nation

Into his fiftieth year, the Modfather is sounding as youthful and exuberant as ever...

After his well-received 2008 effort 22 Dreams, you could be forgiven for wondering whether Weller would be able to produce anything near that standard again. Wake Up the Nation is an LP full of the best kind of soulful, psychedelic pop possible, and surpasses its predecessor with ease. 

If one criticism could be made of Weller's solo work during the '90s, it was his lack of experimentation. As fantastic as albums such as Wild Wood and Stanley Road were, their reliance on classic pop formulas always rendered them a bit tame (indeed, Weller's music became the preserve of mellowed-out dads in their thirties and forties). By contrast, his latest triumvirate of albums have seen the experimental Weller of old return; a move welcomed by adoring fans and critics alike. The mellowed-out dads might be put off now, though. Shame.

Wake Up the Nation has some punky bursts, such as the Foxton-featuring Fast Car, Slow Traffic; lively pop shakedowns such as Aim High (which sounds like The Style Council at the very top of their game); and Weller's obligatory elder-statesman-of-indie mod anthems, the album's title track being a great example. All in all, Weller has produced a strong wealth of material harking back to every stage in his career, whilst also adding something vibrant and new.

Standout track is definitely 7 & 3 Is the Striker's Name: an effects-pedal freakout complete with expletive-ridden lyrics and Kevin Shields' best MBV guitar whirrs, and definitely needs to be heard.



A sterling effort. 9/10.

Wake Up the Nation is released on Monday through Island