As Is Now
It's hard to believe Paul Weller has been making records for the past 30 years ago. Listening to the cluster of sharp, searing opening tracks on his seventh solo album--"Blink and You'll Miss It" and "Come On/Let's Go," in particular--it sounds like the formerJamleader hasn't aged a day. It's only when the bucolic folk of "The Start of Forever" kicks in that you realize he's been around for ages, deftly weathering trends using only his perfectly tailored suits and tunes. "From The Floor Boards Up" is as good as anything he's done, and a handy reminder to fans of punky upstarts like theFutureheadsandKaiser Chiefsof where it all begin.As Is Nowisn't Weller's best solo work (see:Stanley Road). There's a tragic throwback to hisStyle Councilyears with the slap-bass heavy "Bring Back The Funk (Pts. 1 & 2)," while "All On A Misty Morning" inexplicably sounds like it was lifted fromLed Zeppelin III. But, overall, Weller is still in fine form.--Aidin Vaziri