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Why are the Jam so underrated? Any fans of the Jam out there? It blows my mind that so few people know this band. In my opinion the music they made from 1978-1981 is among the best pop music ever made by anyone at any time. Three outstanding albums in a row, great non-album singles with great B-sides. I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that there isn't a weak track on All Mod Cons (1978), Setting Sons (1979) or Sound Affects (1980). If you never heard them you really should check them out. They were a huge link between the British Invasion bands of the '60s and the Brit pop bands of the '90s.
Some people have ponted out that my posts are too negative. So I'm trying something positive. | |
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The Jam were amazing. They were the first band I ever got into in a big way and had to buy all of their singles and albums. In England they are still ( rightly ) regarded as one of the all-time classic British bands. I went to see a Jam tribute band recently ( The Jamm ) and the gig was packed solid and the crowd loved it.
Thankfully, I got to see them live on 2 occasions in 1982. The Trans-Glabal Tour and the Farewell Tour which was one of my favourite concerts of all time. If anyone wants to check them out, start off with a Best Of compilation. For those with more cash, get the box set "Direction , Reaction , Creation " which is the (almost) complete studio recordings plus a bonus CD of rarities and demos. | |
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rialb said: Any fans of the Jam out there? It blows my mind that so few people know this band. In my opinion the music they made from 1978-1981 is among the best pop music ever made by anyone at any time. Three outstanding albums in a row, great non-album singles with great B-sides. I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that there isn't a weak track on All Mod Cons (1978), Setting Sons (1979) or Sound Affects (1980). If you never heard them you really should check them out. They were a huge link between the British Invasion bands of the '60s and the Brit pop bands of the '90s.
Some people have ponted out that my posts are too negative. So I'm trying something positive. I don't think they're overrated at all. They were a superb band. I actually think "The Gift" is a hugely underrated album - "Ghosts", "Town Called Malice", "Carnation", "Running On The Spot", "Just Who Is The Five O'Clock Hero?" and "Precious" are all superb. And I don't give a shit what anyone says - their version of "Stoned Out Of My Mind" is wonderful. Shame Paul Weller grew up to be such a boring old fart. There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently | |
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Shapeshifter said: rialb said: Any fans of the Jam out there? It blows my mind that so few people know this band. In my opinion the music they made from 1978-1981 is among the best pop music ever made by anyone at any time. Three outstanding albums in a row, great non-album singles with great B-sides. I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that there isn't a weak track on All Mod Cons (1978), Setting Sons (1979) or Sound Affects (1980). If you never heard them you really should check them out. They were a huge link between the British Invasion bands of the '60s and the Brit pop bands of the '90s.
Some people have ponted out that my posts are too negative. So I'm trying something positive. I don't think they're overrated at all. They were a superb band. I actually think "The Gift" is a hugely underrated album - "Ghosts", "Town Called Malice", "Carnation", "Running On The Spot", "Just Who Is The Five O'Clock Hero?" and "Precious" are all superb. And I don't give a shit what anyone says - their version of "Stoned Out Of My Mind" is wonderful. Shame Paul Weller grew up to be such a boring old fart. Wow. I agree nearly completely with everything you just wrote. I LOVE their version of Stoned Out Of My Mind! I love about half of the Gift but I think they went a little too far in the R & B direction with that one. | |
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rialb said: Shapeshifter said: I don't think they're overrated at all. They were a superb band. I actually think "The Gift" is a hugely underrated album - "Ghosts", "Town Called Malice", "Carnation", "Running On The Spot", "Just Who Is The Five O'Clock Hero?" and "Precious" are all superb. And I don't give a shit what anyone says - their version of "Stoned Out Of My Mind" is wonderful. Shame Paul Weller grew up to be such a boring old fart. Wow. I agree nearly completely with everything you just wrote. I LOVE their version of Stoned Out Of My Mind! I love about half of the Gift but I think they went a little too far in the R & B direction with that one. There was some rubbish on "The Gift" - "Planner's Dream" and "Trans Global Express" in particular, but that merely pre-empted what Weller would do (and - in my opinion - do exceptionally well) with The Style Council - fusing political lyrics with upbeat tunes, like a far more focused, agenda driven George Clinton. Ironically, much of "All Mod Cons" sounds very fresh today (I defy you to take a late night tube in London on your own and not have those incredible lyrics playing through your head), but "Setting Sons" and especially "Sound Affects" haven't aged as well. This begs the question: what the fuck happened to Weller? Why is the music he's making today so exceptionally dull, predictable and downright tired sounding? The first two solo albums were great - especially the debut, which was like The Style Council rewriting "Sound Affects" - but after that, oh fucking dear. I blame hanging around with Oasis. [This message was edited Sat Apr 3 9:49:00 2004 by Shapeshifter] There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently | |
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Shapeshifter said: rialb said: Wow. I agree nearly completely with everything you just wrote. I LOVE their version of Stoned Out Of My Mind! I love about half of the Gift but I think they went a little too far in the R & B direction with that one. There was some rubbish on "The Gift" - "Planner's Dream" and "Trans Global Express" in particular, but that merely pre-empted what Weller would do (and - in my opinion - do exceptionally well) with The Style Council - fusing political lyrics with upbeat tunes, like a far more focused, agenda driven George Clinton. Ironically, much of "All Mod Cons" sounds very fresh today (I defy you to take a late night tube in London on your own and not have those incredible lyrics playing through your head), but "Setting Sons" and especially "Sound Affects" haven't aged as well. This begs the question: what the fuck happened to Weller? Why is the music he's making today so exceptionally dull, predictable and downright tired sounding? The first two solo albums were great - especially the debut, which was like The Style Council rewriting "Sound Affects" - but after that, oh fucking dear. I blame hanging around with Oasis. [This message was edited Sat Apr 3 9:49:00 2004 by Shapeshifter] I don't know why Weller has aged so badly as a writer. I like some of the Style Council stuff and some of his solo stuff too but when compared to the Jam it just doesn't cut it. | |
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