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True Meanings
by
True Meanings Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

  • Summary: The 14th full-length solo studio release for British singer-songwriter was recorded in just over three weeks and features contributions from Rod Argent, Martin Carthy, Erland Cooper, Connor O’Brien, and Danny Thompson.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Sep 14, 2018
    100
    The toughness of Weller's art remains fully present here. An album of beauty and depth, True Meanings is further affirmation of a particularly sincere and probing talent, for whom music is a vocation rather than a career.
  2. Clash Music
    Sep 11, 2018
    80
    It’s a lengthy, beautiful work, and undoubtedly a late career high from one of the most important, courageous songwriters in the country.
  3. Mojo
    Sep 11, 2018
    80
    Almost flawless record. ... It alights on an entirely new air of depth and fascination, in keeping with its author's age and experience. [Oct 2018, p.85]
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  4. Classic Rock Magazine
    Sep 18, 2018
    80
    This is unquestionably Weller's most personal and most heartfelt record in years. [Oct 2018, p.88]
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  5. Record Collector
    Sep 27, 2018
    80
    True Meanings is, on the surface, a traditionally introspective singer-songwriter record, but such a reductive description runs the risk of underselling a package that contains some of the most accessible, thought-provoking and downright enjoyable music of his lengthy career. The vibes are resolutely bucolic, embellished just the right amount by a chamber orchestra.
  6. The A.V. Club
    Sep 14, 2018
    75
    Forty-plus years into his career, the Modfather has once again ripped up his own playbook--and released a singular album.
  7. The Independent (UK)
    Sep 13, 2018
    60
    A record with some rich layers and embellishments, but you sense that the excess of outside influence might be making up for something.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. mikejam84
    Oct 16, 2018
    10
    An absolute masterclass in songwriting, coming from a man who has had so many high points in his career already. Beautiful arrangements andAn absolute masterclass in songwriting, coming from a man who has had so many high points in his career already. Beautiful arrangements and his voice sounds so rich and textured.… Expand
  2. ChicagoViking
    Sep 18, 2018
    9
    "Take me back there again
    Let me feel the same way
    As I always used to say While there's still time, While there's still time" -- Mayfly    "Take me back there again
    Let me feel the same way
    As I always used to say
    While there's still time,
    While there's still time" -- Mayfly

    Looking back lyrically, yes. Recycling old ideas, no.

    Weller here traffics in beauty, different shades of it, over and over. The cool spy jazz of The Soul Searchers. The blues reflection Mayfly. Perhaps a perfect skating competition swing song, Gravity. The space-folk turned seventies mini-soul Movin On. And then Wild Horses does bring it home lyrically and guitar strummingly.

    It's a thoughtful record, well-crafted but not stifling so.

    Best Weller record ever? I don't know. I'll just enjoy it.    … Expand
  4. Ricko
    Dec 15, 2020
    8
    In some ways stripped back but in other aspects "True Meanings", with its elegant orchestration, smooth layers of vocals and intricateIn some ways stripped back but in other aspects "True Meanings", with its elegant orchestration, smooth layers of vocals and intricate guitars, is as complex as some of his more recent electronic tinged albums. The songwriting is sharp and the playing on the record is flawless. At times it reminds me a little of something Bacharach might have done. Weller has done some very interesting collaborations as well here, all of whom add something different to make this a special Weller release and up with the best things he has done in the last 20 years or so.… Expand

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