*** Paul Weller

HEAVY SOUL

(Island)

Paul Weller continues to inch forward in his career-long rock reclamation project with another in a series of mildly trippy, rather catchy post-Beatles albums (at this rate he should be playing new wave by 2010). As a singer he remains his old dour monomelodic self, with the occasional outburst of somewhat strangulated passion. But hey, this band groove in a classic manner -- big fat drum sounds, layered guitars fizzing, even a few hooks. If only he'd stop trying to be a soul man -- at his best in that mode ("I Should Have Been There To Inspire You," "Golden Sands") he sounds like Joe Cocker with the barnacles burnt off his vocal cords, which ain't much -- and be content with just being moody in the mix, as he does so well here on "Friday Street" and "Mermaids." Still, if you like Weller, you'll like this set, and besides it has Mark Nelson's pithy sitar (that's right) to help get you through the paisley night.

-- Richard C. Walls

(Paul Weller plays Avalon next Friday, September 26; call 931-2000.)