Paul Weller recently released his incredible follow up companion piece to 1998’s Modern Classics compilation in the form of the brand new More Modern Classics this past June.

Encapsulating Weller’s consistent ability to buck the trends, stay fresh and transcend the zeitgeist, More Modern Classics is the ultimate collection of Paul Weller classics spanning 1999 – 2014. It also features new single, the Record Store Day 2014 7” vinyl only release, ‘Brand New Toy.’

The album kicks-off with ‘He’s The Keeper,’ before heading into one of the best tracks (for my money) on the entire album: ‘Sweet Pea, My Sweet Pea.’ A track that fairly drfits along a pop-based bass line, it’s a track that also harkens back to the grand days of musical yore in perfect style. ‘It’s Written in the Stars’ (written by Weller, Paul John and Simon Dine) is another classic-sounding Weller experience ie: a Hammond organ vibe, and is backed by both a cover of ‘Wishing On A Star’ and then the pulsating ‘From The Floorboards Up.’

The flashback vibe of ‘Come On, Let’s Go’ is next and is backed by the tamer ‘Wild Blue Yonder.’ ‘Have You Made Up Your Mind’ is next and is followed by both the drum-laden ‘Echoes Round The Sun’ and the hipsway of ‘All I Wanna Do (Is Be With You).’ Up next on this wonderful, truly wonderful new collection is the excellent ‘Push It Along,’ the fast-paced ‘22 Dreams,’ the Motownesque ‘No Tears To Cry’ and then ‘Wake Up the Nation.’

‘Fast Car, Slow Traffic’ rips along next, with the freeflowing pop of ‘Starlite’ backing it nicely. ‘That Dangerous Age’ and ‘When Your Garden’s Overgrown’ are both lovely, all be they short songs, with ’The Attic,’ the “hardest” track on the album ’Flame-Out!’ and then the Record Store Day 2014 7” vinyl-only release, ’Brand New Toy.’

Reviewed by: Russell A. Trunk