At The BBC Paul Weller Reviewed By : Lisa Wright

'Modern Classics', 'Hit Parade', 'Best Of...', there's probably about as many Weller compilations knocking around now as there are songs, so with the latest release in the lineage, 'Paul Weller: At the BBC', there's a slight whiff of cash-in floating in the air. But, as with all good marketing, there's enough of a spin on this one to just about justify its existence among the host of similar options and, at the end of the day, even on the umpteenth spin of 'Come on/Let's go', it’s still the Modfather and it’s always going to be worth a listen.

The album itself is split into two discs: the first of which plays host to a selection of tracks recorded over the past 16 years for BBC sessions, with the second compiling live tracks taken from various BBC-sponsored gigs. With a comprehensive track listing spanning across Weller's obviously impressive career there's no doubt that 'At the BBC' makes for an hour well spent, but, for an album marketed as a fan release, there's not quite enough there to truly excite anyone already acquainted with the majority of his back catalogue. True, the first CD has some gloriously low-key renderings of your favourites, and the odd song introduction between tracks gives a charmingly intimate feel, but it never feels like quite enough.

In general, 'At the BBC' is one for the extremes: the absolute beginners and the die-hard fans, both of which will find themselves more than satiated for varying reasons; but for the majority there's little to separate this from the other releases that you've undoubtedly got floating around your CD racks. Maybe it's finally time to give the cash cow a bit of a rest.

6/10

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