Having risen from the wreckage of The Style Council to regain his status as an important figure in British music, Weller closes the first chapter of his solo career with this greatest hits set.
It kicks off with the thrusting 'Out Of The Sinking' from 1996 - which since its release has arguably achieved more fame through being employed as the theme to Sky television's English football coverage. Nonetheless, it's a perfect encapsulation of the harder side of Weller - gritty vocals, water-tight backing and some lovely guitar flourishes.
The opening half - save for 'Wild Wood' - is given over to the rockier tracks. There's the brash confidence of 'Peacock Suit', the yearning 'Sunflower', the 60s homage 'Uh Huh Oh Yeh' and the swooping, diving guitars of 'The Changingman'.
The second half is mostly made up of the ballads, cue the gentle 'You Do Something To Me' with its haunting guitar solo, the new track 'Brand New Start' and the gentle shuffle of 'Broken Stones'.
While 1997's 'Heavy Soul' was a frustratingly inconsistent affair, this album reaffirms that Weller can still churn out the nuggets as well as he did in the halcyon days of The Jam. The onset of middle-age has meant he's settled effortlessly into the role of elder guardian of British guitar music.
And while the tracks may not be invested with the freneticism of yore but they still have the passion and commitment he's invested in everything he's turned his hand to. This compilation proves that he's made some pretty exceptional music along the way too.
by Simon P Ward