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Stanley Road | 
| Artist: Paul Weller
Label: Universal / Island
Category: Music
List Price: £8.99
Buy New: £4.98
You Save: £4.01 (45%)
New (43) Used (33) Collectible (4) from £0.74
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 2576
Media: Audio CD
Running Time: 52
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.7 x 0.4
UPC: 422828619248
EAN: 0042282861924
ASIN: B000001FIJ
Release Date: March 29, 1999
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Tracks:
| • | The Changingman | | • | Porcelain Gods | | • | I Walk On Gilded Splinters / Porcelain Gods (Part Two) | | • | You Do Something To Me | | • | Woodcutter's Son | | • | Time Passes / Steam | | • | Stanley Road | | • | Broken Stones | | • | Out Of The Sinking | | • | Pink On White Walls | | • | Whirlpools' End | | • | Wings Of Speed |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
This album has class and it sees Paul Weller once again firmly in control of every aspect: he wrote all the songs bar a cover of Dr. John's "I Walk on Gilded Splinters"; he co-produced it and, apart from his earthy vocals, he plays guitar, piano, organ and percussion. All the tracks are special, but it's the three hits--"Changingman", "Broken Stones" and the truly wonderful "You Do Something To Me"--that really stand out, as does "Porcelain Gods", which has something of the old Style Council about it. Soulful, the style is underlined by Carleen Anderson's rich backing vocals on five of the tracks. Weller is also joined by some of his other musical chums: Noel Gallagher, Steve Craddock and Steve Winwood. --Carina Trimingham
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 Bland, dreary and you've probably heard it all before August 28, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
I simply cannot understand the plaudits dished out to this elevator music reincarnation of late '60's white soul boy funk.
Ever heard of Traffic? The Faces? Oh, there are countless bands from the period, and most of which Weller was very keen to dismiss as "hippy" back in the days of The Jam.
Something has definitely happened to Weller. He's got older and matured well, but that's half the problem. This music is suitable for playing whilst you're busy hanging wall-paper or decorating your youngest's playroom. It is so bland, both musically and lyrically, that I have difficulty believing that this album WAS actually written by the same man who wrote Start, Going Underground, That's Entertainment, to name a few.
Lyrically it is very banal too. I could argue that Weller's vocals have improved since the early days but whilst he is arguably a better singer today (technically)than during the days of The Jam, his range appears to be very limited and he relies far too much on his attempts at Otis Redding style "soulful barks" to propel his songs along which can be very wearing over the course of 2 or 3 similar numbers.
Nowhere on this album does anyone sound as though they have any life in them or passion or excitement. Was this meant to sound depressing, I wonder?
The Style Council made some great sounding and FUN records but Weller has never really reached the peaks he achieved during The Jam in my opinion. Maybe he should just quit? He certainly doesn't do it for the money!
 Perfect - and he knows it! June 3, 2008
Weller fans will love this, but then again, so will almost everyone!
I'm quite hard to please, but I have to say that in a career spanning over 30 years, there's been very little of Weller's work that I've disliked. Admittedly, as a 15 year-old lad, I was sad when The Jam dissolved, but later in life I realised the importance of that move. Likewise, I lost the plot a bit when TSC became completely obsessed with themselves, but apart from that, there have been very few "speed wobbles".
So for me, the stand-out tracks are "broken stones", "thechangingman" and "time passes"....but what an awesome album! Choose your own favourites. Who remembers when he did "The White Room" with Noel Gallagher?
Hands up who wants to be Paolo Hewitt?.....that's a "no" then?...
Awesome!!! March 16, 2007
This Album is Brillant From Start to Finish. You Do Something To Me Is 1 Of The Greatest Songs Ever Written. Wings Of Speed Is In My Top 5 All Time Greatest Songs. Stanley Road Should Be In Everyones Cd Collection And In Every List Done By Music Magazines Of The Top 100 Albums You Must Own, Stanley Road Should Be In The Top 5.
Just Buy It, It's A Masterpiece, Weller Is A LEGEND.
Weller's 90s statement August 25, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Sold like hot cakes and contained a handful of classics and a wider batch of good tunes.
It's opening salvo of "Changingman" and "Porcelain Gods" certainly suggested a man at the peak of his powers.
The blue-eyed soul classic of "Broken Stones" remains this albums high-point. The classic mod bluster and shine of "Out Of The Sinking" comes in second place.
Other high-point is the beautiful and sadly often over-looked "Time Passes...".
But overall a very, very good album.
Only down-side is "You Do Something To Me". Made for brit-flicks starring Martine McCutcheon and Ray Winstone.
Other than that, an album worthy of respect and affection. Brilliant sleeve as well...
A True Contender For Best Album of the Nineties. March 7, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
With Stanley Road Paul Weller has managed to prove to his fans and his critics that he is still an important musician even in his solo days. He hasn't just written 12 good songs, instead, he's written one great album. A factor in any great album is the overall feel that perpetuates each song, making them all feel as though they deserve their place and complimenting the songs that come before and after them.
A mostly guitar driven album, Weller fuses good solos and riffs with his usual effective lyrics, often ending a song with a long instrumental that gently ushers in the next song, which gladly and competently carries the album along. However, there is the occasional song that primarily uses the piano evoking another great feel. Though these songs are quite different from the guitar based ones, they seem to come at just the right points in the album so that, not only are they a nice change of direction, but also they effortlessly fit in. To truly appreciate this fine album start at the beginning and just let it play on to the end. It far outweighs the sum of its parts, and as these parts are so good, you're in for a great journey.
The Changing Man- This was a hit in the UK and is a good indication into how this album will sound. There are some great little examples of guitar work going on here, more will follow throughout the rest of the tracks.
Porcelain Gods- This songs brings the mellow vibe with its gentle electric guitar opening. The highlights are the lyrics; `How disappointed I was to turn out after all, just a porcelain god, that shatters when it falls'.
Walk On Guilded Splinters- Another slow bluesy track that follows on nicely from the previous. Again, the lyrics shine above all in this song. Wellar really does have a way of writing some interesting lyrics and his delivery of them are always great. The track ends with a slow jam that trickles to the end. Not a great tune, more of a little jam session that made it onto the album.
You Do Something To Me-From the beautiful piano intro we immediately know that we are going to hear something different in this song than wat was heard in the previous tracks. Simple and effective lyrics and likewise in the piano and guitars make this song so beautiful. A major standout on the album, absolutely heaven.
Woodcutter's Son-Back with a rocking guitar intro, a piano quickly joins in and we're back with a more upbeat tempo. This tune is quite catchy, and Wellars gruff voice shines throughout. Again, another track that ends with a long jam.
Time Passes-A lovely intro, great lyrics and a lovely mellow feel to it. I always forget about this track whenever I think about this album, but when it comes on I just fall in love with it all over again.
Stanley Road-The intro will have you tappin your feat to the piano and drum, another catchy little number. Despite the fact that this is the title song, it isn't anything too special. There is nothing wrong with it but there isn't that certain somethin that makes it stand out.
Broken Stones-Broken Stones is another simple yet beautiful track. Wellar can write great songs with great guitar parts that rock and groove but songs like this prove he can strip it all down and write a track that has the beauty and passion that other artists can.
Out Of The Sinking-A very bluesy song and once again some good lyrics. This song really suits Wellar's style of singing, I find he has a really underrated voice.
Pink On White Walls-I really like this song, though it is by no means one of the best on this album. It surely is underrated, it is borderline mediocre but i think it just manages to get on the right sode of the line.
Whirlpools' End-Overral I dont rate this song, but there are some good parts to it. I find it really gets good about 2 minutes in. I do love the jam that appears at the end for at least 4 minutes. Would be nice to play along in the studio.
Wings Of Speed-The final song is a strange one to end with, it has a gospek feel and almost sounds like nothing else on the album, save for the piano that was present in some of the songs. I really love this song, again simplistic and beautiful, Paul's voice holds it's own and the background singing is just fabulous. This song is too short, it needs to have a few more minutes of it. I just love it.
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