Paul Weller: From Modfather to moderniser

31-05-2008 08:15

With 21 albums behind him, Paul Weller would be forgiven for falling back on the tried-and-tested sound of tracks like 'Wild Wood' 'Going Underground' and 'Eton Rifles' that earned him his 'Modfather' nickname.Instead, as he reaches his half century, with '22 Dreams' the former Style Council rocker has produced his most adventurous and experimental work to date.Paul claims the change in direction was a deliberate move, saying: "Right from the start I was aware that I didn't want to make 'As Is Now' [his album from 2005] Part 2. "The tracks you might not like now, you'll maybe love in six months. That's the sign of a great record. I think the older you get there's a certain amount of freedom because it's like, 'F*** it, I'm going to do whatever I feel like."You have to keep challenging yourself. I've always tried to do that, but I've always been successful. You can't stick in your little comfort zone. Which is something that I have been accused of in the past, and is something I disagree with."Paul could indeed have stayed in his comfort zone and made a living from trading on his impressive back catalogue - he was offered the chance to reform The Jam, but declined, believing it cheapened the ethos of the band.He said "For me it dulls the legacy. I don't understand it; it's not what we were about, I didn't think."