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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the great sorta punk albums ever., December 19, 2004
Really, like ELVIS COSTELLO, the JAM were not actually a punk rock band. Both bands just happened to be makin' their music while punk rock exploded in the UK in 1977. I think it's particularly evident when you listen to this album these 27 years later. To these ears, 'Away From the Numbers' is one of the finest songs ever recorded. Slow build up and memorable refrain.
As with all trios, I'm flabbergasted that they can crank out such full sounding music with just three guys. The WHO, GREEN DAY, the MINUTEMEN, the URINALS and, really, several bands who have 3 instrumentalists and a vocalist are really sorta a trio like BAD BRAINS and CHEETAH CHROME M. Each of those bands, including the JAM, are able to create a whole musical world basically with very strong song writing. They don't need a second guitar or keyboard (which I typically can't stand except like with PERE UBU). The JAM is expert at using dual vocals. Let's face it, Paul Weller is a gifted song writer and musician.
We're just blessed that the JAM existed, particularly, to me, the period of this, their first album, and the second one, This is the Modern World. After that they slowly begin their descent into horns and a Motowny thing till it just ended up splitting up and STYLE COUNCIL revealed Weller's, I guess, musical place he liked to be for many years. No thanks. Gimme this early JAM instead. I met a few punx who'd only heard the later JAM albums and so had neglected to listen to these first two albums (All Mod Cons is actually good as well, not that the two after that are horrid, just, uh, not as straight forward new rock sounding as these early albums). I've had the luxury of listening to this music for over 20 years and all I know is I keep listening to it. There's some live stuff out and it's also excellent. This is one of those bands who could do outstanding studio work and quite good live delivery. I just wish I'd been smart enough to go see them one of the several time they rolled through Southern California in the late 70's/early 80's, but, no, I wasn't bright enough to make the journey to L.A. or see 'em in their one San Diego show (I assume they played here once, I'm not certain).
What I do know is, give these songs a taste from this web site and, if you dig, what? more than power pop? sorta punk but not hardcore? well crafted songs, great harmonizing and strong lyrics that are more than just simple love songs (I think they only did one between these first two albums), well, get this album. They probably have a CD with both these first two albums on it. Go get that, you won't be sorry. Paul Weller said in a recent interview that the JAM were rated in surveys of U.S. music fans, as like the 4th or 5th favorite band from the UK, ever. I'd probably agree with that, maybe 3rd. Cool man. chrisbct@hotmail.com
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Jam's best album, November 18, 2001
(...) Although individually I wouldn't rate any of the songs here among the Jam's 10 best, this is my favorite Jam album -- the most cohesive of the lot. Answers the question, "what if you spliced mid-sixties Small Faces/Yardbirds/Who/Kinks onto mid-seventies punk?" All those sixties bands just seem too *slow* after this. Makes me want to play the Yardbirds' "Having a Rave Up" at 45 rpm. Also, "hard" isn't the word here, "sharp" is -- as in tailored suits and razor-cut hair. Weller was only 18 when this came out, and the lyrics pay homage to youth with an endearing directness and honesty, as in one of my favorites "I Got By in Time" -- "Please tell me if my philosophy's wrong / I've got to know the truth / I don't mean to offend anyone but / You know it's something I do" This is an artist treating his audience with respect instead of condescension. Plenty of punk anger shows through, however, as on the opening track "Who makes the rules that make people select / Who is to judge that your ways are correct / (...) / The TV telling ya what to think." I highly recommend this album -- it's fast, tight and very cathartic.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is where it all started!, February 4, 2007
Weller 18 a 60s obsessed mod teen takes speed sees the Pistols live and combines his love for soul and R&B with the fire of the who and the emerging punk scene. Is it a great record?- no but its a vital energetic youthful stab of music that would begin the career of the Uk's best songwriter youth icon. Plus there are some great tunes In the City Away from the numbers etc. This is a snapshot of London circa 1977 and though never punk Weller was the essential rebel and no one looked better and more determined than Paul. The Jam were to become the essential British rock band outside of the Clash and weller has gone on to this very day to be one of the best songwriters of our Generation. And better still the Jams legacy is untarnished and still sounds refreshing today!!!
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by The Jam 
