Weller's "Wake up the Nation" Just Might

Britain 2010: a land of coalition government, weather hotter than Spain after a winter from the Dakotas, and a sense of sleepwalking through to the week-end. Wondering if Wayne Rooney's ankle will be OK for South Africa has been surpassed by the horror of the Duchess of York trying to sell access to her ex-husband Prince Andrew. Into this springs Paul Weller with a few nights at the Royal Albert Hall in support of his new album "Wake up the Nation." If the 16 songs that run just 40 minutes won't do the trick, it won't be from Mr. Weller's lack of trying.

This new album is not the pastoral, sunny day in the country with a pint of lager Paul Weller. This is urban and urbane music. More than that, though, this is a record by a musician who has certainly stopped caring what others think. Those who hate "Dad-Rock" have a new target, and either one gets on for the ride or not.

This record (one means "CD" but age sometimes shows) starts with a stride-piano bit called "Moonshine" that has the effect of an alarm clock, and following that is the title track "Wake Up The Nation" with a line that could make one sound like Dick Cheney telling the kids to get off the lawn, but doesn't quite -- "Get your face off of Facebook and turn off your phone."

The initial favorite on the disc, though, is "Find the Torch/Burn the Plans" with a chorus that could come off the terraces at Stamford Bridge, Emirates Stadium or Old Trafford. "Sing like you already own it/Our birth and right is to show it" goes the lyric while something out of the Beatle's "White Album" psychedelia makes up the instrumental.

The "Fast Car/Slow Traffic" is not that great a tune, and the lyrics are largely about being stuck in traffic. However, it is the tune featuring the Jam's bass player Bruce Foxton, so it's historically significant. "In Amsterdam" could well have been a Style Council number, and "Trees" is the longest piece at just over four minutes with five movements -- once again, one feels a John Lennon-esque influence here.

To support the album, Mr. Weller is at the Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington, London, for a few nights, including his 52nd birthday last night. His penultimate show there is tomorrow night (May 27), and for those of his fans unable to secure a ticket for the performance (or who are in different time zones), the gig will be webcast. The first 15 minutes will be free, but for the full gig, there's a fee of 9.99 payable in pounds sterling or euro or US$12.99. Register here.

© Copyright 2010 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Ubuntu Linux.

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