This Is the Modern World [Import, Original recording remastered]

The Jam | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 20, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 1977
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Ume Imports
• ASIN: B000006TZC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,860 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2008 Vinyl pressing includes eight bonus tracks from the BBC sessions. The original was released in 1977. This Is The Modern World was their second release just after their debut album, In The City. Despite generally bad review from critics at the time, the album does have its shining moments ('Life From A Window' and the 'The Modern World' for example). It is also interesting as a piece of history for its lyrical content, which, as the album's title promised, is a snapshot of a day in the life of a declining British Empire during the late 1970s. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Life From a Window, December 15, 2008

By 

Paul Ess. (Holywell, N.Wales,UK.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Is the Modern World (Audio CD)

The Jam's second album suffers from similar draw-backs to their thrashy debut in that it's songs, while generally slightly more consistent, sound as if they've been laid down much too soon. There's exuberant ideas bustling here, which if patiently allowed to find their own way, would've finished up much better appreciated and elevated than they are now.

This what happens when greedy music majors pay huge advances to a young/unready pop-band and try to start recouping immediately.
All that said, 'This Is The Modern World' includes some top drawer Jam songs. 'I Need You (For Some-one)', 'Here Comes the Weekend' and 'Tonight at Noon' are three of Weller's best reflective ballads and his Keith Moon tribute; 'Life From a Window' is possibly his finest 4 minutes as a songwriter.

There's a couple of distant clunkers but generally 'This Is The Modern World' is an improvement on 'In The City', while still tilling familiar, albeit less stony and undisturbed land.

5.0 out of 5 stars Youth anthems delivered at breakneck speed!, June 29, 2006

By 

Dr J (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Is the Modern World (Audio CD)

Youth anthems delivered at breakneck speed! Years ago I read a review of the Jam and someone wrote that line--I forget who it was, though. Nevertheless, while we in the US had Donna Summer and the Bee Gees, the kids in the UK had the Jam. How disappointing for us. As the Jam never made it in the US, they never got any airplay, nearly no one knew of them, and it was VERY difficult to find their records. I did find "Modern World", though, and fell in love with it right off. The fast pace and good rockin' were what I liked. Some people have criticised this album as being a collection of leftover songs. I didn't care, the group rocked! I particularly liked "London Girl", which was a bit more pop, but it moved, and "Midnight Hour." These guys took that old R&B song and turned it into a real rock n' roll classic.
If you want an album that really rocks, get this one. The songs are just as enjoyable as they were almost 30 years ago. One caveat, the CD is missing a song that appeared on the LP--"All Around the World", which I think is one of the Jam's greatest songs.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the 2 best JAM records ever with In the City ie their early stuff, January 12, 2006

By 

Chris bct "music everyday" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Is the Modern World (Audio CD)

I've met folks who weren't born until the 80's and have only heard later JAM. You gotta hear the first two albums, this being the second. There's classic JAM songs on it as great as any they ever did and there's no 'approximating Motown' sound on this.
'The Modern World' is so snappy, it stands the test of time magnificently.
I've always enjoyed 'London Traffic', very energetic.
The vocals on 'In The Street Today' are some of my favorite by the JAM. Generally, how well they interweave their trio is a marvel. GREEN DAY, NIRVANA and the JAM really show that with three guys you can make total songs that are fully formed and, that it doesn't happen that often. URINALS/100 FLOWERS and the MINUTEMEN also proved it beautifully.
'I Need You (For Someone)' reminds me that the JAM really isn't a punk band at all. Mod I guess and the occasional love song sorta proves it. Very nice.
'Here Comes The Weekend' is lyrically so applicable to us workin' stiffs. I cherish such a song whenever I can find it.
'Tonight At Noon' is a prime example of their harmony skills without ever bein' sappy or sugar pop.
If only they did this sort of cover job of 60's songs:'In The Midnight Hour'. Now I could listen to that all day. Just keep away from the horn section boys (later albums) though I love horn sections generally, the wilder the better (Ray Charles' 45 Great Songs 2xCD has some incredible blarin' horn songs).
Anyone who says this is a weak album, including the band, is bonkers. For me, and probably a buncha other punx, the earliest stuff is the best for the JAM and this is right in there. Go get 'em. [e-mail]