As Is Now [Deluxe Version] (2005)

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 ... Read More

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, Rovi Read Less

• All from $37.06
• New Music from $37.06

• All Copies (1)
• CD (1)
• Choose Release (1)

• Music Details
• Seller
• Sort U.K./EUR Sellers Price: Low to High Price: High to Low Condition Condition: Reverse Release Date Release Date: Rev Sellers Near Me

• CD, New 2005, Yep Roc UPC: 634457211520 See Item Details ▾

  Alpha 2 Omega Books BEST Southampton, HANTS, UNITED KINGDOM

  $37.06 Add to Basket Add this copy of As is Now (Limited Edition) [Audio Cd] to cart. $37.06, new condition, Sold by Alpha 2 Omega Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southampton, HANTS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2005 by Yep Roc records.

  	Edition: 2005, Yep Roc CD, New	Details: UPC: 634457211520 Discs: 2 Label: Yep Roc Released: 2005 Alibris ID: 18082956950	Shipping Options: Standard Shipping: $3.45 Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
  Seller's Description: New. Mint condition. Deluxe US edition (CD & DVD) album with 14 tracks, including: Here's The Good News-Paper Smile-Roll Along Summer-Savages and more. Bonus DVD includes: Live Studio Footage-Videos and the Film: As Is Now. The box set also includes 12 page booklet containing photographs. The box set is new and sealed. Yep Roc records, 2005.
  ► Contact This Seller
  Hide Details ▴

2005, Yep Roc UPC: 634457211520 CD See All from $37.06