22 Dreams by Paul Weller
22 Dreams is the ninth solo studio album by Paul Weller. It was released on 2 June 2008. The album was released on double LP and single CD, as well as a deluxe edition CD, featuring a bonus CD with outtakes and extra tracks. Oasis stars Noel Gallagher and Gem Archer feature on the album, as does Ocean Colour Scene guitarist Steve Cradock and Blur guitarist Graham Coxon. The song "One Bright Star" features former member of The Jam Steve Brookes on Spanish guitar, it was the first time the childhood friends had worked together since Brookes left the band before they gained a recording contract. It received almost unanimous critical acclaim and was featured on many Best of 2008 lists. Critics called it one of Weller's best albums to date.
With his ninth solo album, The Jam and The Style Council's former frontman makes good on the album's title with 22 songs that span the gamut of musical influences Paul Weller has absorbed in over three decades of keeping the British mod flame burning. In its entirety, <i>22 Dreams</i> ambitiously attempts to mirror the changing seasons with a flowing and moving metamorphosis of textures, moods, styles, and genres. Weller eschews his "trad-rock" pigeonhole by taking on jazz, Krautrock, spoken word, electronica, blues, pop, and modern psychedelia while managing to maintain a consistency throughout (via help from Ocean Colour Scene's Steve Cradock providing a foundation of classic guitar tones). "Light Nights" introduces the album with an intimate acoustic presence that blends gypsy fiddles, hypnotic drones, and sublime vocal harmonies. Noel Gallagher and Gem Archer from Oasis cameo on the swirling and kaleidoscopic powerhouse "Echoes Around The Sun," and Graham Coxon from Blur injects his gentleman's indie rock scuzz on the strolling "Black River".
