Sound Affects

I think I'm going to cry as I listen to this most-excellent album again. Been a while, and I just absolutely heart The Jam. I saw a documentary on them a few years ago, and it served only to deepen my heart-ing them. Paul Weller is very much the opposite of the full-of-himself rock star. This album should receive more attention, as should the band. Just this week, I (a relative noob guitarist) just started learning and practicing 'That's Entertainment,' one of my all-time favorite songs of all-time favorite songs. In honor of this album and band showing up in my 1001 rotation, I shall do my best to play it well, record it, and share it with friends. Make music, share music.

This list sure loves generic UK rock bands

Other bands would be proud of this to be their greatest hits

the bass is amazing

I may be biased from growing up listening to this band, but so be it. A lot of bangers on here for me, I can't not give it a 5 because I know i'll listen to this over and over again

Copy-pasting yesterday's review because it's still relevant: I don't know how many random British punk albums from the late 70s - early 80s I have left in me. Nothing grabbed me and I will sleep soundly at night knowing that I can't recall a single song, lyric or word spoken in The Jam's "Sound Affects".

Brilliant socially aware lyrics - 'That's entertainment' should be published separately and added to the National curriculum. I'd forgotten how good The Jam (well, Paul Weller) were.

New this was going to be good as the album started with Bruce Foxton's superb punchy bass playing (which continued throughout the entire album). A great MOD punk compilation with Paul Weller belting out his lyrics while playing sublime guitar. Most enjoyable!

How did The Jam never hit in the States? Peter Weller's next outfit The Style Council certainly did. But The Jam wasn't even remotely popular here. This album was released shortly after "Get The Knack" by The Knack, which was a monster hit here. I hear a lot of similarities. Maybe they were too British for America in 1980. It was our loss, because this is a gem.

I listened to all of it but cannot remember what it sounded like for the life of me

Really enjoyed this. It hit that punk/pop craving I was having. Going to have to pick up more if their stuff. Reminds a lot of the Clash, but more fun. I was hooked with the first track.

Some strange production choices — not that they're terrible, though that bass tone is very raw — it just sounds like they went out of their way to make it sound compressed. Could totally be a product of streaming music and the joys of destroying audio quality. I really liked some of the less listened-to tracks (according to the Spotify numbers), esp. "Set The House Ablaze," and was struck by the "Taxman" bassline on "Start!" I think "That's Entertainment" might be my least favorite on the album and was the only song I was familiar with coming into this. Before listening to this and All Mod Cons, I would have guessed The Jam were a prototypical ska band, which either means I'm confusing them with another band or just ignorant of who they were (or both). But I've enjoyed discovering them. BTW, "Music For The Last Couple," another with relatively few listens, was not so great. This was a 4-star album for the first 2/3 and then slid into blahville toward the end and while I'm digging The Jam, I can't quite figure why this particular album merits the 1001 classification.

It’s great. Imagine being a teen buying this in 1980 and hearing that opening bassline for the first time

Pop, post punk, funk...el típico grupo al que nunca le había hecho ni caso por coraje y que me revienta la cabeza con un disco inesperado. Buenas canciones, ritmos pegadizos, grandes líneas de bajo. Descubrimiento.

Paul Weller is definitely my favourite discovery from this undertaking

"Affect: to put on a false appearance of (something).” In this case, The Jam put on a false appearance of being an original band making original music with an original sound when, in fact, they were just biting sounds and styles and, in the case of the song "Start!", an entire (and iconic) bass line from other popular bands. And they did it on purpose. In fact, that was apparently the goal of this album. To pull enough influences from other bands to make this record successful. I guess it worked with the critics because it's on this list. But it's just not working with me. Feels like what it is: an also-ran band making a look-alike album. If this list wasn't so brit-pop slanted, there's no way this album would make the cut.

After every song I was hoping the next would not be a dud. But the bops kept on coming. The bass is excellent throughout this, the guitar work was great too. I'm glad this album is good solely because I can say this. This album is my Jam.

A great album by The Jam and shows the band working together brilliantly making lively, insightful post punk. Foxton’s bass playing is outstanding, giving the album its drive and energy; Buckler’s drumming is equally energetic; and Weller brings the attitude and style to the guitar and vocals. And whilst there a few undercooked tracks (‘Music for the last couple’), ‘Start!’ followed by the exquisite ‘That’s Entertainment’ (Weller’s ‘Waterloo Sunset’) makes for a sequence of tracks any band would be proud of.

Not terrible but don’t like the voice

I really liked this. Never heard of this group before, but I hear so many other groups that I enjoy in this album.

First 5 in a long time. Excellent

I dig it, The Jam are such an underrated gem. I got a lot of mileage out of this album today. It bangs.

Though the band has been quite forward about the influences, The Beatles' Revolver is very much present from the get go. The guitar is punchy, and the bass is acrobatic and front and center. There are a lot of new wave artists, but the Jam infuse it with a bit of mod flair and attitude that makes me hesitate to just lump this album in with post-punk. The drum work owes a lot (again as stated by the band) to Michael Jackson's Off the Wall, and drive the album forward without seeming out of place. It is a supremely well crafted and enjoyable album

I have liked this album since I first heard it in the early 1980s.

I can't believe I haven't heard them before

I really enjoyed this! Very catchy melodies with some rough rock edges. Tell me the bassline in "Start" is not "Taxman"

God bless Paul Weller.

This is the sound of Weller coming into his own, both as songwriter and musical leader. Though it only hints at the extent of the evolutions to come, the songs are very well balanced and nuanced, with crisp production and strong, almost flawless execution. "That's Entertainment" and "Monday" and "Man in the Corner Shop" are the top cuts.

Sound Affects is the fifth studio album by The Jam, originally released in 1980. This list is actually starting to warm me up to British post-punk. The first thing that caught my attention on this record is the rhythm section. The drummer and bass player are locked in throughout the whole album. I also love how the bass is mixed. It reminds me a lot of reggae/dub. It was probably intentional because this list has taught me that a lot of these groups were inspired by the rude boy movements at the time. Another thing that's interesting about this album is you can kinda hear the transition from post-punk to new wave. I'm not sure about the origins of The Jam, but I can assume they're from the more harder punk scene, like the Sex Pistols. This record contains a mix of that harder punk edge, as well as softer, more poppy new-wave tracks. While not my favorite style of music, it's interesting to hear transitional albums for bands. Especially when those transitional albums are between two huge genres.

Probably the best of the Paul Weller related albums I’ve been assigned so far - based off The Style Council (abysmal) and his solo record Wild Wood (cloying adult contemporary), I didn’t have a lot of hope, even if All Mod Cons was pretty good. This one I liked well enough, it has a good variety and the punk edge I was initially expecting from him when I first was assigned Wild Wood. I would have to agree with Mr. Weller, this the best Jam album (at least in my limited experience with them).

Not sure who’s dreaming of Monday, fuckin Brits. All 80s and no 80s hits 🤔

Tuned the fuck out

This is so far the best Paul Weller project this list has forced on me, and it's still pretty meh. It's like a mix of an Elvis Costello who is a worse songwriter with an XTC that has less interesting instrumentation.

Just ok.

I honestly just didn't have many feelings about this album. It was fine. Favorite track: Monday

Fun instrumentals.

it's like the beatles but somehow even worse

A fantastic album by a fantastic band. So many great tracks; 'Monday' sounds like a classic mid sixties mod/psych record (with harpsichord a fab bass line, and harmonies), and vocally Weller sounds like David Bowie, 'But I'm Different Now' sounds like The Action or The Creation, 'Start' nicks the bass riff from The Beatles 'Taxman', 'That's Entertainment' is one of the best songs by anyone, ever (so catchy and weirdly moody). Meanwhile over on side two 'Dream Time' has a cool trippy intro, 'Man in the Corner Shop' and 'Music For The Last Couple' are more sixties influenced pop (the latter with cool ska rhythm instrumental breaks) 'Boy About Time' has a nagging where have I heard this before melody. I might have mentioned the mid sixties influences once or twice, but it's true, you can he tell Weller is nuts for the mid sixties British mod/psych/freakbeat crossover period. Great stuff.

The Jam and The Specials were the soundtrack to the 80s for me so always going to have a soft spot for this. That said, it's also a brilliant album which captured the moment perfectly.

You know, I knew this would be decent, but I wasn't expecting to be drawn in as much as I was, great album!

Love this album. Weller is a truly underrated writer and even in these punky pop song, it shines. The Jam were one of tightest three piece bands ever. The album sounds like a time capsule to being a youth in Thatchers 80s Britain.

punk and new wave had a baby and it’s very British and will go on to influence all of alternative music for the entire 80s. Extremely fun, all killer, no filler.

How can you possibly go wrong with The Jam. Great record. Going to go off now and listen to some more Jam records today!

Ok so clearly I should've been listening to The Jam this whole time because this is the 2nd album I've had by them, and another 5 on first listen. It's exactly my kind of post-punk with those edgy riffs and sick basslines. Vocals are fantastic too.

Great album— tightly written and composed songs. Lyrics that can really be spit out

Pros: really fun, Paul Weller reminds me of Morrissey, not a bad song on the album Cons: sent me down a ska rabbit hole

Really great album that feels like a perfect synthesis between early new-wave and early punk rock. Tuneful and driving with fun lyricism. There wasn't a single song I didn't enjoy or felt was misplaced in the album order. Not sure if it'll make my desert island albums but it is pretty great. I'll give it a five-star because I simply can't find any fault with it.

For some reason I thought The Jam were a 60s band. Instead, this album sounds like a mix of things I can't quite place. Perhaps: The Stranglers, The Smiths, Billy Bragg, Madness, The Fall. Anyway, whatever it is, I like it. 4.5

Never thought I was into The Jam that much, but I can't knock this album. Tempted to give it 5... aw what the hell

it's actually kinda sad. every song tries so very hard to be the best song ever and in isolation, it succeeds. Paul Weller is a pop genius who probably creates his choruses directly by taking part of his life energy and spinning it into something musical. hell, even the "everyone writes on this one :)" song is actually pretty good! it would be stiff competition were it not for one inalienable fact: "That's Entertainment" is the best song ever. not my favorite song of all time, just the best song ever. you can't fight facts.

A classic that is often tragically overlooked stateside.

The Jam is my jam. I had never heard them before but I really love the post-punk sound and the tone of every instrument, especially the bass. The echo on the mics give everything that cool, roomy, moody sound. Just fantastic. I love music that is melancholic and upbeat at the same time, and this album is that.

My first time listening to a whole album by The Jam. I knew it was regarded as a classic, and it contains my two favourite singles, Start and That's Entertainment, so I was interested to see if I'd like the whole thing. I thought it was excellent! Melodic as well as thought-provoking and such a great energy. Paul Weller is ace.

No-one has made anger sound as beautiful as The Jam/Paul Weller. Not heard this in its entirety for 40 odd years, when it would come through my bedroom wall courtesy of my 14 yr old Parka-clad brother. It’s as fresh now as it was then and I really enjoyed listening to it.

Listening to this all the way through which I hadn’t done for 40 years affected me more than I expected it to. Took me right back and also so appropriate all these decades later. Brilliant

Definitely my favorite album by The Jam. “That’s Entertainment” and “Start!” are masterpieces, but what really draws me in on this album are some of the deeper cut mod pop gems like “Man in the Corner Shop”. The tone of Paul Weller’s voice sounds marvelous throughout this album, but his “la la la la la” on “Man in the Corner Shop” really drives this home for me.

Seminal

Classic

Top-drawer mod noise. The bass tone is awesome throughout and the whole thing just works.

I knew I was going to enjoy this, but I didn’t realize how much. There’s real brilliance here. Excellent album.

Need to come back to this one.

Ну...ИМБИЩЕ. Это взрыв и рознос. Очень люблю группу и альб, хэзэ. Тут бесспорно 10/10.

Great album with a number of songs that could be considered ‘hits’ or at the very least, ones you’re already familiar with.

I like this one, definitely an interesting feel to the instrumentals. These early punk albums really grip me a lot more than I ever thought they would. Favorite track: That's Entertainment

A lot of nostalgia for this one. Something about Paul's voice that I really like. And the simplicity, the unpolished sound.

Oh my god that bass tone alone A+++ but so weird along that 80s-AF drum sound. This shit is great!

revolutionary

Never heard of this group but they were awesome. They had a song that sounded like Helicopter by Bloc Party, which was cool. I liked most of this album throughout, notably Monday. Start!, and That's Entertainment.

Man, what a killer album. I really enjoyed it. As of right now, this era of music is probably my favorite. Late 70's and 80's punk is the best. This album will definitely be a mainstay going forward. Monday is a great one, the chorus is great. Who really dreams of Monday? Start! is a great homage to the Beatles. Their bass player and drummer really shine on many of the songs. The bass is heavy and very forward in the mix. The lyrics on That's Entertainment and the way in which they are delivered make me feel like I'm a punk perusing the dark streets of England. Overall I really loved this album!

The mod revival's flagship band, The Jam, combined punk, powerpop and Beatle-esque harmonies into a sound that is reminiscent of R. Stevie Moore's cassette tapes. A bombastic album!

upbeat and fun

amazing

This thing is relentless! Banger after banger, very solid and consistent throughout. “Monday” and “Set The Housr Ablaze” are amazing in particular. Very catchy tunes and fun to vibe to. Awesome record! I’m sad I didn’t hear this sooner.

This is just a pleasant and fun listen. it has a few tracks I've heard before, as well as several I heard for the first time, and while some were better than others I don't think there was a bad song here. The guitar and bass work on this is excellent, and the vocals are great - they make this a very British record. Sound Affects is a cocktail with a punk base and a generous mix of mod flair. Just an excellent record. Also, interesting hearing the opening riff to Set The House Ablaze, thinking "Oh hey I've heard this one before!" Sure enough, Bloc Party's "Helicopter" adapted that riff. Neat. Favourite: That's Entertainment

Solid start to finish

Enjoyed; good background vibing music

LONG LIVE THE JAM!

Really enjoyed it. Rating: 4.7

Really cool stuff - loved it :)

holy shit good

Context: I heard the Jam previously in the listening to All Mod Cons, which I loved. Listens: 3 Opinion: Knowing what I know about hearing the Greatest Hits and All Mod Cons, I knew what I was going to get and I wasn't disappointed, this is the sort of album that I could have played in any University dorm and it would still slap. Highlights: - Monday - That's Entertainment - Start - Pretty Green My favourite album so far, it's so fun and loses nothing after 43 years, absolute banger.

PREFS : TOUT MOINS PREF : RIEN

I love it! Never heard it before and it’s great! Like punk but more melodic. I guess that’s the mid revival influence.

What a pleasant new surprise! I love the sound and the vibe- for me it's somewhere between 80s punk and new wave. Not quite angry enough for punk. Not quite synth enough for New Wave. A great listen.

Fun covers and guitar riffs. They will put you in the right mood on a Friday afternoon.

Thoroughly enjoyed this one

Totally unexpectedly great album! You can hear so many different influences in their sound. It’s like if the Beatles were punk.

As I was jamming my bulbous cock into your mother's pretty little anus, I thought to myself, what would Paul Weller do if I was to shave off his mod haircut and ram it down your mum's throat? He'd obviously be a little upset, but hopefully he'd enjoy the sound of her chocking on his delicate locks as she took my cock deep inside her. We will soon find out.

Although I hadn't been born when they were smashing it, the jam are one of my all time favourite bands.

One of the best records from the 1980s.

I love this mix of mod and post-punk; every song is great. It has one of their most popular songs in ‘That’s Entertainment’, which has been misunderstood in the million puns of the title made in media. Amazing album.

РООООООООООООООООООООК

An underrated classic album. So much going on and Foxtons bass is epic. You can see how far they have progressed from their early days and Wellers word play is fantastic.

Is this The Jam's BEST album? Maybe. But it's not my favourite, (All Mod Cons). It's not my 2nd favourite Jam album (Setting Sons), but listening to it today, I'm not so sure it doesn't deserve a higher ranking on my list. It's more classically pop sounding than previous albums, perhaps more timeless. Absolutely leans more to The Beatles rather than The Who or The Kinks; right down to the Taxman hommage in Start. So it's a collection of really strong songs and one absolutely brilliant stroke in That's Entertainment. In the late 70s and early 80s The Jam were at the top of their game and were about as good a rock band that there was. For me this is their 3rd consecutive 5 star album, a run as strong as by any band in the history of rock music. How you rank those 3 albums relative to each other is a matter of individual taste. To me The Jam are one of the most criminally under appreciated bands in the history of rock music. 5 stars

The Jam released a lot of really good albums and Sound Affects is overall one of their finest moments. I think it's their most complete and consistent albums with some classic tracks such as, Start!, Boy About Town, Monday and perhaps Paul Weller's masterpiece, That's Entertainment. A beautiful and wonderfully full sound that reminds me of peak period late 60's, Kinks. Definitely essential!

Fantastic album - love The Jam anyway but this album feels rebellious, unique and fun.

How did i miss this album growing up? Absolutely fantastic. This one is going in my rotation.

What a massively influential band, especially for the early 2000s!

Bangeeersss

I'd be hard-pressed to not give this 5 stars - Paul Weller is a great songwriter and Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler are a criminally underrated rhythm section. The album loses a bit of momentum with the last couple of songs Boy About Town and Scrape Away, but those two tracks are following an absolute Murderer's Row of songs - Start, That's Entertainment, Pretty Green, and my favorite, Man in the Corner Shop. Probably the best Jam album (though I am partial to Setting Sons, which is not on the list) and this group is either 1 or 1(a) on my list of best power trios (along with Hüsker Dü).