Jam packed with goodies. (The Sound Of The Jam - The Jam)

Member Name: paulhanton

Product:	The Sound Of The Jam - The Jam
Date:	30/07/08 (152 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It highlights the different ages of the Jam.

Disadvantages: Couple that should not be there.

As some of you will know from reading previous reviews, The Jam is one of my favourite groups. Before I start, you can get this from Amazon for a fiver, £7.99 from iTunes.

The raw energy that messrs Foxton, Buckler and Weller produced through their music was incredible and whilst they certainly courted the Mod scene, in terms of clothing and imagery, their music, was, in my opinion, intelligent punk.

A guitar, drums, lead singer (of course they drafted other musicians in) was the core of the Jam and they stand alone in what they did, almost instantly recognisable, great lyrics, energetic music and generally a message.

I think if I reviewed every track fully on this album we would be looking at a review of record length (no pun intended), so I will give a short synopsis of each track and pick out my highlights and tell you why.

1. In The City
An early number, very Mod like.

2. Away From The Numbers
Again early, again Mod like.

3. The Modern World
Early, and to me the start of when they began to get popular.

4. David Watts
Great catchy tune, definite mod influences, all drums and guitar, bit of piano backing but essentially 3 lads singing and playing.

5. Down In The Tube Station At Midnight
My favourite Jam track and so, so clever. from the funky guitar riff and drums that replicate the rythm and sound of a tube train leaving a station, to the left wing messages which were not only relevant then, but also now. The futility of violence, curry all in one song, and the immortal lines:

The last thing that I saw as I lay there on the floor
was Jesus saves painted by an atheist nutter
and a British Rail poster said, have an awayday
A cheap holiday, do it today

This song more than any other summed up their ability to paint a picture with a song, stunning.

6. It's Too Bad
Not such a good offering, I always thought this was a blatant attempt to be Mod popular.

7. To Be Someone (Didn't We Have A Nice Time)
This is a great song of latent working class jealousy.

8. Mr. Clean
This is a slight maturing of the Jam sound and showed the funky soul side of their musical ability which Weller went on to cultivate so well.

9. English Rose
I love this song, love Weller's vocal, love the background sea sound, so hypnotic, and so different for the angry young men.

10. The Butterfly Collector
Such a dark song, and we get this from the slow intro in minor keys with a heavy base, the drumming is almost sacry in this track and the vocals quite low. Brilliant song that just feels that they have something to teach us about the pysche.

11. The Eton Rifles
Who can forget this, great lead guitar and bass riff with almost militaristic drums. The lyrics are sublime, working class boys taking on the toffs. Great stuff.

12. Private Hell
Never really liked this, competent and edgy but a departure for me that I wasn't ready for.

13. Thick As Thieves
Interesting 'lad' type track but quite morose too, not bad.

14. Smithers-Jones
Not their biggest hit, but an absolute peach of a story. Very bright and breezy as a tune, lots of organ (I think) and the tales of woe of a loyal worker. Lyrically superb.

15. Saturday's Kids
To me this is an absolute anthem, and never did that well. Basically the story of teenagers on an estate and how they lived their lives. This should have been used as the title track to Channel 4's 'Shameless' in my opinion. A later track, but going back to some punk roots, top stuff.

16. Going Underground
Another left wing song from the boys, great use of drums to puncuate the lyrics. Hard vocals from weller who I suspect was genuinely angry when he sang this.

17. Start!
A real departure into a quirky almost jazz funk groove, always a good one to play at a party, almost stands alone in the Jam catalogue fro being so different.

18. Liza Radley
Hate it. Utter dross, I am ashamed that they did this.

19. Pretty Green
Another filler, what a shame, the only endearing thing about this is the bass playing.

20. Boy About Town
Another Mod type song but very weak. The last there tracks really do not show up well against the rest of the album.

21. That's Entertainment
The Jam at their best telling a story, evoking images with word. The acoustic guitar playing on this track has always left me feeling a tingle. The lyrics are portraying the drudgery of working class lives, but also revelling in it, just so good again, for example:

Waking up at 6am on a cool morning opening the windows and breathing in petrol,
An amateur band rehearse in a nearby yard,
Watching telly and thinking back to holidays,
Thats entertainment

22. Tales From The Riverbank
Never really got this, it is like they threw a few of their songs together.

23. Town Called Malice
Great stuff, full of energy, mad drums, mad guitar, Hammond organ, fast, great vocals with brilliant lyrics. Love it.

24. Ghosts
Almost Billy Bragg like, not one for me.

25. Carnation
Oh no, not one for me, the lyrics are actually cheesy for the Jam.

26. Beat Surrender
I rememebr this coming on Top of The Pops and I knew the Jam were to split, I was gutted. Great way to finish the album though. Busy musically and even some trumpets used, great end to an album and career.

The Jam went out on top. Great album highlighting a fair few different styles and sounds, well worth the money.

A Bomb in Wardour Street is missing from the early years which is a shame, as is Billy Hunt. I would have probably put little boys soldiers in the middle and the bitterest pill somewhere too.

Summary: The Sound of The Jam.