A-Side: Just Who Is The Five O’Clock Hero
B-Side: War | The Great Depression

Polydor 2229 254
Producer: Peter Wilson

Released: 06/82
Purchased: 24/06/82

Ostensibly a German import but probably obtainable everywhere. Surely this is one of the weakest tracks on ‘The Gift’, just another segment from Paul Weller’s Scenes From A Rainy Lifetime? Hack rock construction with an imagined stab at internal diversification, missing the one hitherto constant pleasure in Jam singles, an abandonment to the exhilaration of the crowd:

“The mob is always right” (Irving Berlin). I suppose the aficionado will need the details on other tracks: “The Great Depression” is more workaday Weller, but Edwin Starr’s “War” (12″ only) is something else.

Though it almost seems too obvious a choice (where is the raved-over rampage through “Move On Up”?) and the leader’s vocal is uncharacteristically hesitant the sound is fascinatingly judged – Buckler and the horns dominate a stop-go layout of simmering resentment. No group can be better placed to deliver a proper collection in this genre and I say it’s time Weller collared the opportunity. (NME, 03/07/82)

Here we go again, more misery from the boring Weller social conscience. So right, so pure, and he does his own shopping and cleaning. Ah good, it’s lunchtime. (Record Mirror, 26/06/82)