Paul Weller - Sea Spray / 22 Dreams [Single]

Island Records

October 8, 2008, 12:15 PM

The double A-Side release of 'Sea Spray' and new album title track '22 Dreams' is the best fresh example of The Modfather's work that the world has seen for years. The persistent momentum of Sea Spray's thudding drums nicely carries the listener through the song, and provides a sturdy backbone for Weller's now signature vocal style. This track is upbeat, short and very sweet but offers the listener nothing that they haven't heard before. This is perhaps because it doesn't need to; as Paul Weller has more than established himself as a successful and highly influential artist and doesn't need to answer to the likes of me. He has already seemingly made the swift manoeuvre from being in the thick of new music to settling into the steadier, less turbulent harbour of the fairly new genre of 'Dad Rock' and has an army of fans that will buy his records no matter what; in fact, more so if they are classic old,Weller with no fancy stuff added.

The second track on this release, 22 Dreams, is a lot more lively and without doubt possesses the rock and roll feel and excitement that Sea Spray arguably lacks. By far the more likeable of the two tracks, it boasts of fantastic musicianship that is evident in the drum track and is sure to be a live favourite. This however, is probably unlikely to see any radio play so will be reserved as a secret treasure for all hardcore Weller fans. All 567,445743 of them.