Gareth - 2/21/2011

As a long time Weller fan I was really looking forward to the release of this album, with the hype surrounding it and his nomination for a Mercury music prize.
However, I am very disappointed in the album on so many levels. The music, the lyrics and the fact that it appears to be a walking contradiction. It states in the sleeve notes for the album that a theme or criteria for the album at the time of recording was for the album to sound 'urban', therefore no acoustic instumentation was used, helping to create a more harsh sound. However certain songs do not sound 'urban' at all, such as 'Aim High', 'No Tears to Cry' and 'Pieces of Dream' to name a few.
The other contrdiction is that Weller stated that he didn't have any lyrics at the time recording commenced (which, I believe shows)and that he wanted to say something profound with this album as modern mainstream music has lost its way, has nothing to say for itself and doesn't stand for anything.I think this album says even less. Its not really clear what any one song is really about. I was expecting some agressive, passionate subject matter as per The Jam, however this falls a long way short of capturing anything like that.
With statements such as this, the lyrical peak of the album, on the title track 'Wake Up The Nation'cannot be sentences such as "Gonna wake up the nation, don't be no drag, wake up the nation and out of their hands'. If this is the crowning glory of meaningful lyrics then unfortunatly it may be time for Mr. Weller to step down and let someone else have a shot, they can't do much worse.
Musically in places I think the album sounds a mess, in places the changes from verse, chorus or middle eight sound clunky and mismatched. Perhaps this makes it 'urban'? I beleive that Weller should stick to what he does and knows best, albums such as 'Paul Weller' through to 'As Is Now'.
I have listened to this album now, several times and can only listen to a few tracks at a time as thats all I can take in one sitting. With the announcment that Weller maybe contemplating the release of another album this year and maybe going more avant-garde, I think these are going to be worrying times for the Weller fans that are not so keen on this album.