22 Dreams - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.co.uk
It's never too long between Paul "The Modfather" Weller albums. Yet the starlet's prolific solo output over the last decade or so hasn't often reached the artistic heights of his work with The Jam or The Style Council. While consistent enough, recent projects have been marred by a certain complacency--a tendency to settle for the middle ground instead of the soaring, surprising heights of yesteryear. But on 22 Dreams, some of the old punk fire returns. Buoyed by a stellar Britpop cast including former Blur guitarist Graham Coxon and Oasis members Noel Gallagher and Gem Archer, 22 Dreams is the sound of Weller finally taking an unexpected artistic leap after a series of steady steps. Working across a wide range of genres--rock, funk, soul, free jazz, krautrock, classical music, electronica, even spoken word--Weller presents an hour-plus odyssey full of eccentric surprises and loveable chaos. From the blue-eyed soul of "Have You Made Up Your Mind?" and the eerily brilliant "Echoes Around the Sun" (a Weller/Gallagher collaboration), to experimental offerings such as "111" and acid-folk opener "Light Nights", Weller digs deep into his magician's hat, and pulls out rabbit after rabbit. Some of the more off-the-wall moments--"God" for example--won't be for everyone, but the way everything collides together in a haphazard, devil-may-care manner serves to remind us that we should never write off our beloved veterans--you never know when they're going to take an unexpected artistic risk.--Danny McKenna

Product Description
''After As Is Now I thought the time was right to make the sort of record I
wanted to make,'' says Paul Weller of the creative process which led
to his striking ninth solo album 22 Dreams. ''Instead of worrying about
anyone else, I wanted to really push the boat out. I think the result is going
to surprise a few people.'' Surprises have always been part of the artistic
vernacular for the man who changed rock forever with The Jam, explored a host of eclectic influences with The Style Council and cemented his position as the patriarch of Brit pop with his legendary solo work. 22 Dreams is the latest chapter in a creative journey spanning 30 years, with material spanning the full breadth of popular music rock to classical, avant garde to funk and spoken word to experimental. In addition to a cast of Weller s frequent collaborators including Steve Cradock and producer Simon Dine, 22 Dreams also features some of the largest beneficiaries of Weller s
incalculable musical influence. Noel Gallagher and Gem from Oasis lend
their talents to Echoes Around the Sun, a writing collaboration between
Weller and Gallagher. Ex-Blur guitarist Graham Coxon appears on Black
River. The spirit of collaboration and an in-the-moment creative approach
have resulted in one of Weller s most spirited works and one that is sure to
expand the artistic canon of the one and only Modfather.

Album Description
2008 release, Paul Weller's ninth solo studio album in an amazing 30 year career that saw him front The Jam and The Style Council. Recorded over the course of a year at Paul's own Black Barn Studios in Surrey, 22 Dreams is a kaleidoscopic tour de force incorporating Rock, Funk, Soul, Free Jazz, Krautrock, Classical, Spoken Word, Electronica and all stops in between. It's a seventy minute (m)odyssey delivered with a verve and ambition to shame musicians half his age. With production by Weller and Simon Dine, 22 Dreams features a roll call that includes ever-faithful guitarist Steve Cradock plus appearances from the likes of Noel Gallagher and Gem Archer from Oasis, Little Barrie and Graham Coxon. In career terms, 22 Dreams is as bold, brave and exhilarating as those other classic albums released when Paul was at a creative crossroads -All Mod Cons, Confessions Of A Pop Group and Wildwood.

Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Innovative blend of sounds. July 23, 2008
21 out of 21 found this review helpful

The legendary rock star, Paul Weller makes his comeback!
If nothing else, you tend to associate Paul Weller with lean and muscular music - rock without any flab or fripperies.
So the big surprise about the epic "22 Dreams" is just how much latitude Weller gives himself to wander off down intriguing musical backwaters.
Some 30 years spent as a bedrock of great British songcraft is time enough for a man to be allowed to indulge himself a little.
Hence this Paul Weller 70-minute concept album relating a young man's journey from heartbreak to spiritual awakening, blending together an eclectic array of genres, spanning two discs, 21 tunes and much of the musical spectrum: trad folk, lounge, psychedelia and piano balladry included.
Yes, there are the mod anthems, spirited evocations of Sixties R&B, like the title track.
But there are instrumental interludes which run the gamut from eastern classical to blithe jazz, all invested with a dream-like quality.
Even so, all are unmistakably Weller.
The voice of a generation can't be disguised by shifting genre. Despite the eclectic aspirations, standouts recall the vibrant English soul that first marked the latter days of the Jam.
There are curiosities like "Light Nights", which is earnest folk with a whiff of Pentangle about it, and "Why Walk When You Can Run", a pining bit of acoustica which could almost belong on the latest Neil Diamond album.
There are liberal dose of strings, occasional whiffs of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye and, with the apparent theme of changing seasons, a sense of something epic happening, but without the dreary sense of self-importance which often comes with a concept album.
The electrifying title track and "Have You Made Up Your Mind" suggest that this album would be up there with Weller's best, were it not 21 songs long -too many of the more experimental soundscapes are surely only of interest to their creator.
Yes, Weller can't be begrudged such gratification, but "22 Dreams" would have been all the better for a trim.
Despite that, the album has the ring of a classic. He may no longer be a spokesman for anyone but himself, but Weller is still setting standards for his generation.
"22 Dreams" features various collaborations with other well-known artist: Noel Gallagher and Gem Archer of Oasis, Graham Coxon of Blur, Steve Cradock of Ocean Colour Scene, Little Barrie and an ex-Stone Roses guitarist, Aziz Ibrahim.
Fresh new tracks "Echoes Round The Sun" and "Have You Made Up Your Mind" are set to be released to dominate the radio airwaves.

4 out of 5 stars

The Return of the Modfather August 2, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

At this late point in his illustrious career Paul Weller manages to pull off a feat which few artists of his stature (or vintage) can do; produce a nearly-perfect comeback record. While it may not have the stylistic flashes of Wildwood or Stanley Road, the Modfather doesn't have to impress anyone but himself. A great release well worth waiting for.

4 out of 5 stars

IT'S WILD August 24, 2008
Mostly mellow, had it for two days and still growing on me... thus far I would label it a mostly soul record with cool splashes of acid jazz... hard to pigeon hole this one... cool psych rock and folk mixed in there too... The short answer is a mega yes you need it. I guess my title sums it up best: IT'S WILD! ...could it be I had too much to dream last night?... Perfect record to light a candle and chill with. So far it gets better with every listen... a very good thing indeed!

4 out of 5 stars

22 Dreams August 28, 2008
Paul's back, with more of the great tune revival we heard in Illumination.
Much of his earlier solo work left us pining for Style Council and Jam, but melody is back in this deep collection of well written songs.
Of particular interest to me was the song about God, where the singer suggests that people just lead their own lives, ignoring God, until they're in desperate need of something, and then turn to God for help. So true so often.

4 out of 5 stars

GREAT ALBUM!! August 28, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

ALMOST EVERYTHING PAUL WELLER DOES I ENJOY.THE ALBUM "22 DREAMS"
GOES IN A DIFFERENT PLACE SOMEWHAT-BUT THE MORE I LISTEN I'VE
BECOME REALLY CRAZY ABOUT IT! 4 STARS! PAUL, WE WILL SEE YOU
AND YOUR BAND IN SAN FRANCISCO SEPT. 4TH!

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