Paul Weller – Wild Wood (1993)

This is yet another solo Paul Weller album in poor condition, which was clearly pennies in a boot fair long ago.

Given the state of the digipack, I was more than a little surprised to find it plays perfectly.

I've previously suggested that, like me, lots of 1970s Jam fans bought the Weller albums, but weren't convinced by them.

This album hasn't done much to convince me. Don't get me wrong, there are some lovely songs here, but nothing with the impact of a Going Underground.

Early highlights are opener Sunflower, with its Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds opening and the pensive title track Wild Wood; while later, 5th Season is a powerful bluesy number, and Shadow Of The Sun is similarly funky. To close, Moon On Your Pyjamas is a gentle, welcome ending.

But most of the rest are instantly forgettable. Nothing's awful, but it just feels like background. However, the occasional diamonds mentioned make the album worth its place on the shelves.

Link to album tracks

3* - nothing outstanding here, but a decent enough listen, with a couple of great highlights