Paul Weller’s True Meanings – Easy Like Sunday Mornings

I’ve loved Paul Weller’s music for decades now, going right back to the early days of The Jam (yes I’m that old!!). I’ve always particularly enjoyed the way he’s progressed and changed his style over the years. No two albums ever really sound the same. A few weeks after it’s release, I’ve finally obtained his latest album, ‘True Meanings’. Let me say on first listen as I was a bit “meh” but it’s a grower. Don’t park it after one listen is my advice.

True Meanings is a very mellow and likeable album. It’s one of those lazy Sunday morning albums, one to listen to whilst sipping decent coffee and reading the paper. This is a more acoustic and laid back album than his last few. You can tell he’s getting on a bit now, that an older person wrote these songs. They do take a few listens to really get under the skin until you realise it’s actually a very good album. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t all acoustic, it isn’t just Paul Weller with a guitar and his voice, there's still the drums, the bass and the second guitar adding much more to the background.

As I was saying, this is a very grown up album with some graceful orchestration and very contemplative songs. Admittedly, Paul's voice is a little weak generally but that doesn’t detract from its enjoyment. It’s lyrics are quite introspective and it’s performed as close to perfection as possible, demonstrating Weller’s ability to continue to produce music with purpose and soul. There are more guests than ever too with Rod Argent, Martin Carthy, Danny Thompson & Noel Gallagher all making an appearance.

Some of the Tracks
“Glide” is an acoustic daydream. It’s strings are so mellow and just sort of wash over you. Saying that, it’s also probably the weakest track on the album - which really is saying something. 

“Mayfly” is a more typical Weller vocal over some folky percussion backing. I like the deep, warm guitar intro that leads into some nice bluesy guitar.

“What Would He Say?” Has a Burt Bacharach style relaxing brass solo that bubbles to the surface a couple of times with an “easy listening” melody and whispy lyrics.

“Wishing Well” is quite a folky but pleasant, contemplative song. Overall, a very tender acoustic track. I like it!

“Movin’ On” is for me one of the best tracks on the album. It’s an engaging song with some charming brass parts towards the end. Paul’s vocal is very soulful and articulate, more in the style we have come to expect from him. Overall it’s a splendidly orchestrated number, with some subtle percussion. “Movin’ On” harks back to what was probably his first foray into folk back in The Jam days - "English Rose". It’s the sound of a man comfortable in his skin, he acknowledges his past while making an appropriate pronouncement about the here and now.

So Do I Recommend It?
‘True Meanings’ is a brave album for Paul Weller to release, yes he’s had songs like this on his albums before. There was the haunting, atmospheric "Wild Wood"; "Long Hot Summer" was a particularly chilled track and don’t forget the classics like "The Butterfly Collector" or the blistering "That’s Entertainment". There aren’t many musicians of his generation that are still making interesting new music they just resort to playing the hits. Their new stuff is often disappointing, for example Hugh Cornwell’s latest album, that’s only really worth it for the acoustic Strangler’s tracks on the second disc.

That most of ‘True Meanings’ hits the mark is due to its cohesiveness. It is Weller’s singer-songwriter album, acoustic and reflective in tone, and carefully, delicately textured. It's a thoughtful record, well-crafted but not stifling so. Fair play to him for diversifying yet again. He’s an artist who remains current by still developing and evolving 40+ years on from ‘In The City’. You can’t argue with that!

Yes, I know some tracks appear more than a little shallow and contrived, lacking the raw emotion he is known for but ‘True Meanings’ is still a very mellow album that improves with age – just like a fine wine. What impresses me is that there is now so much depth and character to Paul Weller these days.

Is it the best Weller record ever? I don't know, probably not. 
Think I'll just enjoy it for what it is.