Paul Weller!

[R. Slicker]

I noticed many of you have included Paul Weller/The Jam in your all time top 5 bands/artists. Up to a month ago I might have agreed but I have recently purchased a copy of 'Snap'(The Jams greatest hits) after losing my copy many years ago. I don't know if it's my age but, Jesus, when you actually listen to those songs, does he come over as a miserable twat or what?
Having grown up through their era, I was also into Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Stranglers, Joe Jackson & Ian Dury to name a few, & can listen to any of their back catalogues, no problem. I think because those bands listed made great tunes but also had a bit of humour about them. Whereas Mr. Weller seems to rant out his songs & generally take himself very seriously.
And WTF was the style council about? You know, when we pretended to like them so we didn't appear uncool.
As Danny baker once described him, Surly to bed & Surly to rise..
Anyone agree? or can you all prove me wrong?

(Tubestation at midnight may be exempt from these comments)

 

[tinx]

I met Mr Weller a few years back and he was a thoroughly nice bloke and very jolly and pleasant so from my point of view he's a top guy, even posed for photos and chatted for a few minutes. Top bloke top musician.

 

[CliveWalkerWingWizard]

Jam great - but the solo stuff yaaaaawwwwnnnn.

 

[Hiney]

Being a miserable twat doesn't mean his music suddenly becomes shit

 

[R. Slicker]

I met Mr Weller a few years back and he was a thoroughly nice bloke and very jolly and pleasant so from my point of view he's a top guy, even posed for photos and chatted for a few minutes. Top bloke top musician.

Fair do's. Just My impression

Being a miserable twat doesn't mean his music suddenly becomes shit

I think I've just noticed how serious his delivery was with his early songs, After not hearing them for a while. Taking 'angry young man' to another level.

 

[therunningbomb]

Jam great - but the solo stuff yaaaaawwwwnnnn.

From The Floorboards Up, Let's go, Peacock Suit & Wildwood are absolute classics from his solo stuff, much better than some of his Jam stuff in my opinion,
However his most recent album is very disappointing

 

[wellquickwoody]

Weller always was 'the' angry young man. Strangely he was one of the few who had a clue what they were talking about though. The Jam was spot on, Style Council had its moments, there are some highlights in amongst the solo stuff, honest. If only the rumours about getting back with Foxton and Butler are true then the biggest comeback tour EVER could be on the cards.

As an aside, Weller always said he would never become a middle aged bloke with a guitar........hmmmm.

 

[shoreham moonraker]

Weller will never and I mean never get back with Foxton and Butler, I speak as someone who worked with the bloke for 2 or 3 years around the wildwood/stanley road era. He is a thoroughly top bloke and far from miserable.

How can you knock 22 dreams? Best album since Stanley road.

 

[R. Slicker]

All those years in one of the UKs top bands & now nobody can remember his name. I bet Rick Buckler is delighted.

 

[1234andcounting]

Weller has been the same throughout his career. I love his music, in the Jam, Style Council and as a solo artist, despite finding his 'miserable git' persona almost impossible to like.

As for the Jam stuff not standing the test of time? I bought Setting Sons on cd recently - sounds as good now as it did in the autumn of '79 when it was released. And 22 Dreams whilst not a masterpiece, is perfectly acceptable. The only period where he really lost it was roughly Heavy Soul to Illumination.

But one of the all timre British rock and pop greats imho.

 

[GT49er]

The Jam were excellent - nowhere near good enough to be in the top five bands of all time, but pretty good all the sames. Post Jam, Weller has just been shite.

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

I think the Style Council were excellent up to 1985, before Paul Weller invented house music.