PAUL WELLER 
SONIK KICKS (Universal)

Word on the street is that Paul Weller’s new wife has turned the mod-father onto David Bowie. Whether it was that, or the inspired touch of his producer Simon Dines,
Weller has produced his own twisted rock record that is a massive melting pot of styles. Minus the obvious hits, this could be his Achtung Baby or, dare we say it, Station To Station. One thing for sure, you want to hear this baby through headphones. It’s here you’ll get the sonic blips, the full effects of the strings and really savour the occasional slice ofmusique concrete. On ‘Around The Lake’ you’ll hear Weller embrace krautrock. With ‘Study In Blue’ it’s as if the Style Council never broke up. A challenging record, it fits neatly into a trilogy with 22 Dreams and Wake Up Nation. The common denominator is Dine. Weller has had, prior to release, a falling out with the producer and they won’t be working together again. It’s a shame, because the collaboration has been fertile. Celebrity guests include Noel Gallagher and Graham Coxton. Sonik Kicks gets under your skin. It rocks and rolls and it goes somewhere else: it’s pastoral one minute and positively pushing the envelope the next.

[rating:4/5]

Anna Holmes