This Is the Modern World / All Mod Cons [Original recording reissued]

The Jam | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 9, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Collector's Choice
• ASIN: B000055X2R
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,208 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #54 in Music > Alternative Rock > British Alternative > British Punk
  • #93 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Hardcore & Punk

Track Listings

1. Modern World

2. London Traffic

3. Standards

4. Life from a Window

5. The Combine

6. Don't Tell Them You're Sane

7. In the Street Today

8. London Girl

9. I Need You (For Someone)

10. Here Comes the Weekend

11. Tonight at Noon

12. In the Midnight Hour

13. All Around the World

14. News of the World

15. All Mod Cons

16. To Be Someone (Didn't We Have a Nice Time)

17. Mr. Clean

18. David Watts

19. English Rose

20. In the Crowd

See all 27 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Collector's Choice's two-fer of This Is the Modern World/All Mod Cons collects the Jam's energetic -- if less inspired -- follow-up to In the City and its tour de force third album onto one CD. The disc also includes the singles "News of the World" and "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight," making it a good introduction to some of the Jam's best work for anyone who doesn't own the individual albums. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi. Incl. 3 bonus tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Classics for the Price of One, March 17, 2001

By 

James V Graziosi (Troy, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Is the Modern World / All Mod Cons (Audio CD)

I have waited a long time to get both of these classics on cd. It still sounds as refreshing as it did 20 years ago. This band is at their best on both of these. The Jam is not a novelty band displaying the "New Wave" attitude of the 70'/80's. This band is one of better bands in the history of rock. The UK certainly knows the strength of this band. Just feel their influences in modern rockers Oasis. Unfortunately, this band was making albums while AOR radio was playing music from Styx, Journey, and Kansas. Boy, did the US miss that one. So what if they may sound "too English". Great rock and roll like this serves no boundaries. The Jam offers music reminiscent of the mod rockers the Who, Kinks, and the Small Faces. They even do a great cover of the Kinks "David Watts." Both albums display the politics of growing up in a "Modern World" which will certainly remind you of the Who's "Quadrophenia." Besides writing about youthful angst, the Jam can put together an emotionally felt love ballad as in "English Rose". Although this band was not popular in the US, they still can flat out rock. To pick up both of these titles for the price of one is a bargain.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant lyrics, tight songwriting, hard-rocking, May 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: This Is the Modern World / All Mod Cons (Audio CD)

Many people compare the Jam with the Clash, and there are some parallels. The Clash were probably a little more flamboyant, daring and agressive, while the Jam were probably better musicians, with a bit of a more subtle take on things. Also, whereas the Clash drew on reggae and ska, the Jam drew more on soul and 60's rock. Still, like the Clash, the Jam just wrote so many well-crafted, hard-rocking, touching songs, with intelligent lyrics that covered a wide range of subjects, and without much musical excess. Also, I think the great thing about Paul Weller's lyrics with the Jam is that he really makes you think about the questions he's asking--and he doesn't offer you easy answers or slogans that look cool on a t-shirt. What's the proper balance between maintaining your ideals, and doing what you have to do to live in the real world? That's something everybody has to answer for themselves--the important thing is to think about it. These two albums are both great, with The Modern World perhaps being slightly harder, and this is just a fantastic collection of songs. It's so sad that almost no new bands that are popular today picked up the mantle from bands like the Clash and the Jam. Whereas these bands drew from the best of rock history to form something new,personal and exciting, it seems like most of the rap/rock and boy bands have never heard of the Clash and the Jam, let alone any of their precursors, like 50's rock/rockabilly, The Beatles, Who, Stones, Dylan, Marley, Kinks, etc.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some people are just too ignorant to be embarrassed, April 15, 2005

By 

R. Hughes (London UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: This Is the Modern World / All Mod Cons (Audio CD)

"Now I'm pretty sure it's actually about "politically correct" liberals like the Clash and THEIR effect on Britain." - says Scott McFarland (below). This is undoubtedly the biggest pile of crap I've ever heard, whether about the Jam or the Clash. And yeah, I'm English and I don't want to be anti-American but Scott you're an idiot. I'm into both these bands, have been for years. But then I've also heard No More Heroes by the Stranglers described as their best ever album ... er no actually. Try Rattus Norvegicus, or Black & White. Anyway back to this CD. The Modern World,in common with No More Heroes, and Give 'em Enough Rope, suffers from the second album syndrome - good enough albums in their own right but inevitably compared to and failing to live up to classic first albums. Even though In The City was, let's say a little naive. All Mod Cons is the album that well and truly set the Jam on the road to greatness. It's always been my favourite album so perhaps I'm biased. It's also the one with the memories, if you know what I mean. If you don't, I feel sorry for you. Anyway. Great band, great album. If you don't buy it, beg, borrow or steal it, and when you do - play it to death.