Weller is unlikely to self-destruct because he´s far too clever by far ... SETTING SONS is a major development and something of a departure. Basically The Jam are disassociating themselves from mod before they´re buried with it ...

There isn´t one dubious song among the nine originals ... The album is still the greatest risk they´ve taken in their careers ... It´s scope has wider connotations but paradoxically, its subjects are narrower and less easy to identify ... It´s not a concept album ...

´Thick As Thieves´ is possibly the best song Weller has ever written and the key to the album´s theme ... The song puts the others in perspective ... The rest of the album Weller carries alone with his stunning vocals, chopping, abrupt and propulsive guitar and a batch of melodies and arrangement that put many of the songs on ALL MOD CONS into the shade ... More than ever, it´s a one man band ...

SETTING SONS is Weller´s personal statement ... The success of this album doesn´t rely on familiarity and identification, but on his talent alone. It´s Paul´s best album yet; almost his first solo album too.