As Is Now by Paul Weller - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

If 2002's Illumination was a warm, laid-back record, Paul Weller's 2005 sequel, As Is Now -- a likeable but unremarkable covers album, Studio 150, appeared in the interim -- is its flip side, a lean, hard-hitting soulful rock & roll album. Not that Weller is returning to the sound of the Jam: he's still with the same band that he's been with since Wild Wood, anchored by drummer Steve White and featuring Ocean Colour Scene members guitarist Steve Cradock and bassist Damon Minghella, and he's working the same musical territory, grounded in Traffic, Humble Pie, '60s soul, and guitar pop. There may be absolutely no surprises here -- even the change of pace "The Start of Forever" is reminiscent of many of his gentler folky tunes, echoing Illumination's mellow vibe -- but for as familiar as As Is Now is, it never sounds lazy; it's a tighter, better record than most of his late-'90s albums. The closest antecedent to As Is Now in Weller's solo catalog is Heavy Soul. Like that 1997 effort, this is a straightforward, no-frills record, heavy on rockers and with few pretensions, but where that album could drift, this is focused and exciting, boasting a stronger set of songs and livelier performances, plus a greater variety of colors and textures in the production. Those subtle differences wind up making a huge difference in the overall effect of As Is Now -- on the surface, it certainly sounds familiar to what came before, but thanks to Weller's muscular, memorable songs and musicianship, it stands apart as one of his more satisfying solo albums. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

1. Blink and You'll Miss It

Primary Artist: Paul Weller; Main Performer
Composer: Paul Weller; Composer
Producer: Paul Weller
Jan 'stan' Kybert
Jan Kybert; Production

2. Paper Smile

Primary Artist: Paul Weller; Main Performer
Composer: Weller; Composer

3. Come On/Let's Go

Primary Artist: Paul Weller; Main Performer
Composer: Paul Weller; Composer
Producer: Jan Kybert
Paul Weller; Production

4. Here's The Good News

Primary Artist: Paul Weller; Main Performer
Composer: Paul Weller; Composer
Producer: Jan Kybert
Paul Weller; Production

5. The Start of Forever

Primary Artist: Paul Weller; Main Performer
Composer: Weller; Composer

6. Pan

Primary Artist: Paul Weller; Main Performer
Composer: Weller; Composer

7. All On A Misty Morning

Primary Artist: Paul Weller; Main Performer
Composer: Weller; Composer

8. From The Floorboards Up

Primary Artist: Paul Weller; Main Performer
Composer: Paul Weller; Composer
Producer: Jan Kybert
Paul Weller; Production

9. I Wanna Make It Alright

Primary Artist: Paul Weller; Main Performer
Composer: Weller; Composer

10. Savages

Primary Artist: Paul Weller; Main Performer
Composer: Paul Weller; Composer
Lyricist: Paul Weller; Composer
Producer: Jan 'stan' Kybert; Production

11. Fly Little Bird

Primary Artist: Paul Weller; Main Performer
Composer: Weller; Composer

12. Roll Along Summer

Primary Artist: Paul Weller; Main Performer
Composer: Paul Weller; Composer
Producer: Paul Weller
Jan 'stan' Kybert; Production

13. Bring Back The Funk (pts 1 & 2)

Primary Artist: Paul Weller; Main Performer
Composer: Weller; Composer

14. The Pebble And The Boy

Primary Artist: Paul Weller; Main Performer
Composer: Paul Weller; Composer
Producer: Paul Weller
Jan 'stan' Kybert; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

14 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

53 minutes and 16 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1000x1000 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

5/14 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, British Invasion, Adult Alternative, Brit Rock, Brit Pop, Mod Revival

Label

Universal-Island Records Ltd.

Music Distribution Service

Redeye Inc.

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Oct 10, 2005

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

634457211223