Sonik Kicks (Vinyl) [Import]

Maybe Weller giving up the booze was a good thing judging by this suprisingly original and unorthodox new Paul Weller record. While his output of late has been above average this latest Sonik" adventure goes beyond expectations. Weller has always been a changing man but i really didnt think hed push that title this far. The opening track GREEN sets the bar- a weird pulsing modern electronic pyschedelia with half spoken vocals and random bursts of acid guitar and swirling synth- its really one of a kind and the vocals harken back to of all things - the Sound Affects Jam era. The next set of tracks continue on a mix of electronic and pop rock- all to positive effect! Particulary KLING I KLANG sounds like know your rights(the clash) speed up to polka sped with Weller spouting of like the angry young man he once was. By the 5th tune its back to the wildwood era - BY THE WATERS is simply stunning! Nick Drake melancholie strings and simple acoustic guitar drive one of Wellers most haunting tunes ever. ThAT DANGEROUS AGE follows and is like late 70s Bowie - a perfect pop single- catchy- disposable and memorable at the same time. STUDY IN BLUE sounds like a clash or HARD FI dub number done by the style council- the long instrumental outro never growing tired. DRAGONFLY weaves like psychedelic drama ala The Damned- with a dark sound and lyrical subject matter. Only a few songs seem to fail- WHEN YOUR GARDENS OVERGROWN is weighed down by a very repetitive cheesy synth aprregiated line- too bad since it has a great chorus- this is one that perhaps comes across overproduced and misguided by the abundant electronic element which is throughout the whole album. Quickly to the rescue comes AROUND THE LAKE which has a JOY DIVISION feel- a throbbing electronic rock mix that is one of tha albums best tunes along with DRIFTERS which is somewhat a companian piece and is a perfect followup tune in the track order. PAPERCHASE is slow burner and continues the rocktronic sound of the album- with a a great middle eastern sounding synthetic string section- once again a Bowie influence creeps up in the arrangement and vocal! The album closes on a future soul/pop ode of positivity via BE HAPPY CHILDREN- with phased strings and contributions from his wife and children.

Sonik Kicks is perhaps in the end Wellers most varied and different solo album- with a heavy nod to dance and electronic elements not used before! For a guy whos approaching his mid 50s this is really a revelation as it sounds young and hungry! Some old fans may write it off as self indulgent or overproduced and too "electronic" but i think true WEller fans will appreciate the new sound and attempt to stay relevant! In the end i give 4.5 stars out of 5!!!!!!

Another treat for Paul Weller fans. Sonik Kicks expands on the musical experimentation heard on 22 Dreams and 2010's Wake Up The Nation (Amazon MP3 Exclusive Version - Deluxe Edition), putting it all together in a selection of songs that sound fresh and new, even as it echoes and evokes songs from throughout Weller's Jam, Style Council and solo career. Green is a typical attention-grabbing opener, mixing a thumping beat with fizzy sound effects and a mashup of sung and spoken word lyrics. That Dangerous Age is like a 53-year-old's version of The Jam's Just Who Is the 5 O'clock Hero? -- one in which the hero is no longer "scrimping and saving and crossing off lists," instead he's now "sick and tired of the money" and distracted by "a chick in the office." Sleep of the Serene is an instrumental that could be the bedtime music for those who live Life at a Top Peoples Health Farm. By the Waters is lyrically like a lost track from Wild Wood, with a more plaintive vocal for these more anxious times. The final track incorporates vocals from two of Weller's kids into a song of life and death and love and optimism and perhaps a wish for fans of all ages: Be Happy Children.

A long-time (two decades) Weller fan, I give him credit for experimenting on his last two albums when he could easily phone it in and rake in the cash. Having said that, I don't listen to this album much or Wake Up - they are jarring, mainly good for when I am amped up and want to exercise or kick out some high energy housework. Paul is at the stage where he has such a long history of proving his taste and influences - it would be wonderful to get a stripped down album from him where he sings and you can hear him, not look for him buried in the sound effects. We saw him in New York last month and as always he was fantastic.