True Meanings

Decades after being touted as one of punk’s original angry young men, Paul Weller is more like a distinguished elder spokesman today. The Modfather turned 60 this year, so it’s appropriate <i>True Meanings</i> reflects the passing of time with introspection and themes of letting go. Those themes are set against some of his most spare, breathtaking arrangements to date—just piano, hollow-body guitars, and a touch of brass and strings. The album marks Weller’s 14th post-Jam and Style Council release in 26 years, and as much as fans clamour for a return to the past (he has repeatedly and forcefully turned down reunions), he seems to address revisiting glory days on “Movin On”: “I’ve got love all around/I don’t need nothing else.” His voice is in excellent form, aged like fine scotch with just a pinch of pepper. “Bowie”, “Wishing Well” and “Gravity” are up there with “Brand New Start” and “English Rose” as his most personal, revealing work.