Album: Sound Affects by The Jam (1980)
Genre: New Wave | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Gritty
Record Label: Polydor
Format: Album

Description: Unhappy with the slicker approach of Setting Sons, the Jam got back to basics, using the direct, economic playing of All Mod Cons and "Going Underground," the simply brilliant single which preceded Sound Affects by a few months. Thematically, though, Paul Weller explored a more indirect path, leaving behind (for the most part) the story-song narratives in favor of more abstract dealings in spirituality and perception -- the approach stemming from his recent readings of Blake and Shelley (who was quoted on the sleeve), but more specifically Geoffrey Ash, whose Camelot and the Vision of Albion made a strong impression. Musically, Weller drew upon Revolver-era Beatles as a primary source (the bassline on "Start," which comes directly from "Taxman," being the most obvious occurrence), incorporating the occasional odd sound and echoed vocal, which implied psychedelia without succumbing to its excesses. From beginning to end, the songs are pure, clever, infectious pop -- probably their catchiest -- with "That's Entertainment" and the should-have-been-a-single "Man in the Corner Shop" standing out.

Artist Background: The Jam were an English punk rock/New Wave/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey. While they shared the "angry young men" outlook and fast tempos of their punk rock contemporaries, The Jam wore smartly tailored suits rather than ripped clothes, and they incorporated a number of mainstream 1960s rock and R&B influences rather than rejecting them, placing The Jam at the forefront of the mod revival movement. They had 18 consecutive Top... Part of the Woking, England, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1970s era. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Paul Weller, The Style Council, The Undertones, Madness

Music Scene: Part of the Woking, England, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1970s era. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: New Wave, Rock/Pop, Gritty, 1980s, Album, Polydor

Additional Context: Rating score: 7. Based on 1 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


Unhappy with the slicker approach of Setting Sons, the Jam got back to basics, using the direct, economic playing of All Mod Cons and "Going Underground," the simply brilliant single which preceded Sound Affects by a few months. Thematically, though, Paul Weller explored a more indirect path, leaving behind (for the most part) the story-song narratives in favor of more abstract dealings in spirituality and perception -- the approach stemming from his recent readings of Blake and Shelley (who was quoted on the sleeve), but more specifically Geoffrey Ash, whose Camelot and the Vision of Albion made a strong impression. Musically, Weller drew upon Revolver-era Beatles as a primary source (the bassline on "Start," which comes directly from "Taxman," being the most obvious occurrence), incorporating the occasional odd sound and echoed vocal, which implied psychedelia without succumbing to its excesses. From beginning to end, the songs are pure, clever, infectious pop -- probably their catchiest -- with "That's Entertainment" and the should-have-been-a-single "Man in the Corner Shop" standing out.

Album: Sound Affects by The Jam (2014)
Genre: mod revival
Record Label: Polydor Deluxe
Format: 12" Vinyl

Description: 180g vinyl

Artist Background: The Jam were an English punk rock/New Wave/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey. While they shared the "angry young men" outlook and fast tempos of their punk rock contemporaries, The Jam wore smartly tailored suits rather than ripped clothes, and they incorporated a number of mainstream 1960s rock and R&B influences rather than rejecting them, placing The Jam at the forefront of the mod revival movement. They had 18 consecutive Top... Part of the Woking, England, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1970s era. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Musical Influences: Steve Brookes, From the Jam

Related Artists: Paul Weller, The Undertones, Madness, The Clash

Music Scene: Part of the Woking, England, UK music scene. Emerged in the 1970s era. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: mod revival, 2010s, 12" Vinyl, Polydor Deluxe


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