By the time we get to 2008, well, a lot of time has passed since In The City in 1977. I really, really like 22 Dreams. Songs like "Have You Made Up Your Mind" and "Black River" - in fact, all 21 of these songs - highlight the rasp in Weller's voice, which I find interesting... I've listened to a lot of Weller albums now, and this is the first one where I'm not hearing a song where I didn't wish he'd toughen up the lyrics. These are all strong songs, and musically, there is a lot of tonal and dynamic separation between softer songs like "Empty Ring" or "Invisible", but Weller digs deep for the vocals. I have a feeling he probably wears his voice down touring, and that makes a difference when he goes into the studio. In any case, great album. Musically on point.
"Invisible" is perhaps the song I've been waiting for, with the same vulnerability and emotive content as "Life From a Window" or "Liza Radley", tempered by maturity.
There was a time
You thought every hair on my body was alive
And so it was
Now you can't even see
They're graying in time
