On his 12th album, Paul Weller has a song called I'm Where Should Be.
Over a bass chord, and backed by enough do-be-dos for a whole Sinatra album, the Modfather takes stock of his life and concludes that he did it his way, so no regrets, mate. Now in his 50s, Weller has really found his groove – not that he ever really lost it, just maybe left it on the bus a few times.
The acclaim for his last two albums, Wake Up The Nation and Sonik Kicks, and guest appearances here from members of The Strypes and Syd Arthur, suggest there's still much respect for Weller's way of channelling the '60s.
White Sky is a wah-wah drenched wig-out, Long Time fuses Velvet Underground beats with Hawkwind moogs, and Phoenix blends Curtis Mayfield grooves with Doors-style piano tinkling.
He’s where he should be, all right, and it’s well worth a return visit.
