Reviews (page 2 of 8)
Oof, this is great. ‘Generic British rock band’ my arse. Takes inspiration from the past while somehow also being hugely influential. Great songwriting, lyrics and musicianship. A bunch of great punchy tunes.
of the contingent of random, lesser-known british rock bands i've gotten from 1001 so far, the jam have landed with a solid album that sets them among the better sounding acts - would i say the best sound?? meh!! maybe not the best best, but i feel charitable enough to put them in the running for second or third place. now, i like me some random, lesser-known british rock bands from this era (i know there's a particularly low rated album from a lesser-known british rock band on this list that i, personally, adore), but would i classify myself as a fan?? hmmm... i don't know... if i really think about it: maybe i am a fan!! maybe this is all a part of robert dimery's plan to convert unsuspecting americans into lesser-known british rock band connoisseurs. i'm on to you mr. dimery. i see (I HEAR) what you're doing... also i swear i've heard that guitar riff from set the house ablaze before. did they lift that from someone?? did someone lift that from them?? am i still missing a few of my marbles???? ?? highlights - pretty green, monday, set the house ablaze, start!, that's entertainment, the man in the corner shop, scrape away
Peak performance Jam.
Super Dope
Wow did not expect to love this as much as I did. Third time seems to be the charm with The Jam, I've liked their music more each time I listen to them. My favorite part is the bass playing. The drummer goes crazy too
What a...Jam
This is a new favorite! Love it
YES
Very much following The Clash's lead, The Jam were another first-wave punk act looking to diversify their sound and audience at the turn of the 1980s. But where The Clash were focusing on revolution, politics and worldly temperament, The Jam were keeping themes strictly British and speaking for the average working class Brit, and 1980s 'Sound Affects' effectively completes The Jam's transition from punk flagwavers to observant social commentators. The first line of opening track 'Pretty Green' says all you need to know about The Jam: "I've got a pocket full of pretty green, I'm gonna put it in the fruit machine". Basically British code for chucking a lobby on the pokies. The Jam were easily the most British of the British punk bands, and were able to speak to the average working-to-middle class condition better than their contemporaries. Chief songwriter and frontman Paul Weller is all about relateability and observation in his lyrics, from blind followers ('Set the House Ablaze') and dissections of class systems ('Man in the Corner Shop') to simple observations from a brief cab ride ('That's Entertainment'). Weller paints pictures of the world he lives in, and in such a sincere way that its almost like he's in the room with you describing the average lives of ordinary citizens. The Jam are perhaps the most underappreciated band of the first-wave British punk scene. They're not as controversial as the Sex Pistols nor as politically charged as The Clash, but The Jam is the punk band that best spoke to the average British citizen. Their songs are everyday life in three-minute segues and their sheer consistency as a band is showcased the best on Sound Affects. They might be hard to gauge for non-British listeners, but Paul Weller's songwriting is hard not to respect: someone who speaks plainly and relatably to the masses without shock or awe. The Jam don't need it. Best songs: That's Entertainment, Man in the Corner Shop, Boy About Town, Start! 4.5/5
Probably a 4 rather than a 5 but I have to give it for old time's sake. I bought this when it came out and it was my favorite Jam album for a long time. If you asked me now, I would probably say All Mod Cons. You can see in this album why Weller felt the need to dismantle the Jam. At this point, they had done all they could have done as the Jam. They were exhausting the possibilities of making young, angry, punchy music. Some great songs on this album - Different Now and Scrape Away come to mind.
One of those albums where I'm not even sure why the singles were considered to be better than the rest of it--why isn't Set the House Ablaze a keeper? 5 stars, no question. It's amazing how the brain retains every note of an album you haven't heard in full in 40 years, if you listen to it enough when you're young. Should probably have done that with Shakespeare's sonnets or the periodic table or something.
very good
I was a big Jam fan in the early 80s in my early teens. Then seemingly gave them a miss, following their split, and never got on with the musical style of the Style Council or Paul Weller’s solo material. Listening to this after an absence of forty odd years it does sound pretty good.
Sharing two things with the Who, an association with Mods and a belief in the bass guitar as a lead instrument; that's my Jam
First album I heard by the Jam, I got a second hand copy on CD back in the 90s because it was cheap and had That's Entertainment on there. Anyway, I was surprised at the time by how good the rest of the songs were and how different they were to what I was expecting. I love how the Jam were able to update their Mod influences while sounding like nobody but themselves. Paul Weller was really developing as a songwriter at this point and his songs evoke specific feelings which still resonate and keep the songs on here sounding vital.
Brilliant album. Surprisingly progressive considering this was around the same time the cure was talking about "killing arabs". House on fire may be a little long but was a masterpiece in my mind. You can see the direction his music is taking and definitely progresses in his next album and band. Overall a short and sweet listening experience that deserves a golden star.
After a steady tide of average albums here on the 1001 we’ve finally hit some quality again. This is The Jam at their peak, this (and Setting Son’s) has the perfect mix of hope and cynicism delivered via their special brand of mod rock. There is less of the punk sound of their earlier work and they haven’t put in the soul sound present in their final album (which is also excellent) that would make the hallmark of Weller’s next project (the Style Council). Fantastic album with a brilliant closing track.
This is the 145th album I’m rating. Going into this I'm assuming it's going to be shit because it's the 80's. Adding to my Playlist - Pretty Green, Monday, But I'm Different Now, Set the House Ablaze, Start!, That's Entertainment, Dream Time, Man in the Corner Shop, Music for the Last Couple, and Boy About Town Not Adding to my Playlist - Scrape Away. All in all I liked 10/11 songs. Thankfully I was wrong about The Jam but I still think the 80's suck.
Verrassende wendingen, toffe nummers!
A classic
Perfect blend of white soul and social commentary
Really enjoyed this. Familiar with the first two Jam albums and their greatest hits - so already familiar with Start/ That's Entertainment - which are great tracks. Really enjoyed Set the House Ablaze - was not aware until listening that Blocparty had taken the guitar riff. Was great to come to this off the back of some dirgy 90's US grunge as it sounded so much fresher, spikier with great chorus's.
The first song had me wondering if I’d like this sort of punk, but by “Set the House Ablaze” I was totally hooked. These guys rock!!
David galea favorite album!!!
Genial. No conocía a The Jam, pero sin problema podría hacerme fan. Muy buen rock, álbum breve pero poderoso. Lo disfruté bastante .
Awesome album.
Really solid album, really enjoyed it
not a dull moment, really enjoyed this
I love it when a band gives itself an accurate name. R.I.P. Rick Buckler
A perfect album. Sound Affects is full of energy, urgency and anger, but it is also sharp, melodic and incredibly intelligent. The lyrics are powerful and socially important. The fact that songs written in 1980 still feel completely relevant more than forty years later says everything about how good Paul Weller was at capturing everyday British life. “That’s Entertainment” should be the national anthem. It is the song of my youth. Observational, honest and beautifully simple, yet it hits harder than almost anything else from that era. The whole album is relentless in the best possible way. It is tight, focused and full of attitude, but never loses its musicality. Every track feels essential. Favourite songs: That’s Entertainment, Start and Pretty Green. I could easily list every track. Least favourite: None. It is perfect. Album artwork: An iconic cover that perfectly reflects the mood and style of the record
The Clash but for music geeks. A great album from a great band.
Absolutely!
Great band at the top of their powers.
Great album
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.
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
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!
Good album. First time I've listened to this band. Solid British post punk. I've listened to a couple of their other albums and I think I prefer The Gift over this. The opening bassline was really good.
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).
Really, really loved this. Had heard Pretty Green, Start! and That's Entertainment before but not the rest of this record. Never realised they'd gone quite as post-punky as this. Prefer it to the pure mod stuff.
This is essential.
The best Jam album. Great from start to finish.
Great album. Always thought of All Mod Cons as the better album, but after listening to Sound Affects again for 3-4 times, I am not sure anymore. Anyways, both of them are obviously 5 star albums of course.
cool
Love The Jam, brilliant album.
Better than expected
I liked it a lot, I think it was consistently good although it didn’t stand out a ton. Solid album.
Loved it.
Okay, a Jam album seemingly cut to my exact measurements. A group who always wore their influences like they were medals, Sound Affects has the Jam asking to be rewarded for quoting Gang of Four and and Wire. And I'm perfectly happy to give them such a nod, considering that this is rather fabbo. The Jam are probably the biggest British group to gain no traction whatsoever in the United States: two singles in the Billboard top 100, highest position 45 (in the UK, the generally agreed cut-off for a hit is number 40), whilst getting 4 UK number 1s. A similar tale unfurled in Europe; at best, the Jam were a one-hit wonder in a few territories with A Town Called Malice. Though disappointing, this is not surprising at all. The Jam were as singularly English as Morris dancing and a suicidal ignorance regarding the myriad benefits of the European Union. The Jam's aesthetic combined so many distinctly British aspects that other countries had no hope of comprehending them. They had the British moderate punk aspect, where they forwent battered leather jackets in favour of sharp suits whilst delivering charged, politicised lyrics. They had their origins in the pub rock circuit of the mid 70s, and a British pub is not akin to any other country's bar. Most of all, they had mod. Mod, for those outside of Albion, is a British subculture starting in the 60s, with some dapper youths of every subsequent generation still bearing the torch. Your common-or-garden mod is identifiable by a fondness for suits, scooters, speed and fairly raucous guitar rock à la the Who, Small Faces etcetry etcetry. Personally, I find the movement overestimated: why settle for the fairly raucous? Why be a mod when the name of their enemy, the rocker, is self-evidently cooler? And how can Quadrophenia be a swell movie if it stars Sting? Still, some mod groups were genuinely great, and the Jam were one of those groups, and I agree that the leader Paul Weller deserves his honorific of the Modfather. This album, though, exhibits a paradox. It's the Jam's best album, yet it's the least representative of their mod philosophy. Rather, from the opening note onwards, it's clearly the sound of the Jam latching onto the funky angularity and astere freshness of their post-punk contemporaries. My fellow guzzlers, you should know of me by now that such a sound is the sound I love the most, and thus by syllogism I love this album. Lyrically, Weller doesn't stray from his domain, and that's fine, pal: he knows what he's doing on his territory. But the real greatness of this album lies not in the semantic but the sonic: fierce, desperate and defiant. This in turn leads to the conclusion that the album's more conventional Jam songs, such as Start and Boy About Town, are the weakest tracks, but if such tight songs are the runts, then the album really has naught to worry about. Follow-up question: who are the artists where their most incongruous work is their best? I have a few mates who reckon Nirvana's best album is Unplugged in New York. Not to say that's the consensus, but it's definitely arguable.
New favourite album
You can almost hear your influence they had on bands like The Smiths or even Arctic Monkeys. Great record.
Bloc Party before Bloc Party
Love most of the stuff on this album - plus it has Man in the Cornershop on it, which is my favourite Jam song
British Punk Rock with some psychadelic/surf rock and probably better descriptions deep in there. GREAT ALBUM.
One of my favourite albums - these guys are tight!
Post punk fury mixed with Kinksesque pure pop. The Jam at their best and a go to album for them
Prefer the style council era but this is still great
Bought this when it came out when I was 10 and it’s been one of my favourites all my life. The best Jam album as well. Yes there are a couple of well known hits on the album, but all the others are just as good, if not better. Listen loud!
Love this album, it's crisp, punchy and energetic. It's such a fun listen, and I enjoy it more each time I listen to it. The mix of the angular guitar with that insanely good foregrounded bass is a delight to listen to. The Jam had this ability to infuse the anger and energy of punk with a strong pop sensibility that none of their peers have. They remind me a lot of the early Who, more than pretty much any other band I can think of. There are maybe a couple of tracks I like less than the others, but on balance this is an outstanding album. Rounding up to a 5, then going back to listen again. As a side note, if you aren't familiar with Paul Weller, I strongly recommend checking out his post-Jam work. The man has been working practically non-stop for over 40 years and everything he does is interesting. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): That's Entertainment, Start!, Set the House Ablaze, Man in the Corner Shop, Scrape Away, Pretty Green, Boy About Town, Music for the Last Couple, But I'm Different Now, Monday, Dream Time
This is one of the great punk/new wave albums. The songwriting genius of Weller is the backbone, Buckler laid down some great beats, but it was the phenomenal bass of Bruce Foxton that pinned it all together.
Love the jam and Paul weller
I grew up with the Jam but didn’t really appreciate them when I was younger. Listening to them again I realise how good they were. This album’s definitely going into my saved list.
Great album.. Awesome bass lines.. Why I don't listen to this album more I don't know.
Their most consistent.
um cacho de uvas
não consegui dar só 4 estrelas mas tb não é isso tudoooo
Loved it!
Brilliant. Better than I remembered. Dreaming of Monday
Heard it a hundred times.
Loved this. Sprinkling of the familiar alongside the new, but all great fun. Fav new track: Man In The Corner Shop
Donates scuffs to the shoes. Just the right amount of everything. Particularly liked ‘Music for the last couple’
The Seminal Band of my teenage years. A little more experimental than 1979's Setting Sons and a gateway to The Gift, their final studio album. I'm still gutted Weller broke up the band
really awesome, didn't have the time to listen to the whole album bc monday is a bitch, but will definitely go back to it, the jam was already one of my favorite uk bands
Unexpected - really good
A brilliant album with some of their finest songs. Also made me think about what a fantastic live band they were
Belter
A great album by one of my favorite bands of all time. Extraordinarily British.
Mix of punk, new wave , and 60s rock. Driving baselines.
Dope!
# Album Name: Sound Affects # Artist: The Jam # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: good listen. Goes off in places though. Two banging tracks in thats entertainment and start. # Top Tunes: Different now / start / thats entertainment / house ablaze # Would I listen to it again? Yes
Great album 4/5
You know, don't really know what I was expecting from this album. I had a vague idea of what I thought The Jam were (Maybe like a bluesy artrock or something?), but 70's post-punk (ish) rock influenced by The Beatles isn't what I had in mind, although it makes total sense. As far as 70's post-punk goes, this is probably the best one I've gotten so far. It's not so far up it's ass trying to be "true art" like some of the other albums I've gotten (Fear of Music and The Idiot), that it works for me. Especially a song like Set the House Ablaze. Some of the album does sound a tad dated to my ears (Especially when they're shamelessly ripping off The Beatles, particularly on the track Start! where it's just straight up Taxman), but it never sounds unpleasant. In the end, quite an enjoyable listen.
I'm always happy to get a record like this where it's just 3 guys making music. Look at the Personnel section on Wikipedia for this and compare it to almost any album in the last 20 years. This is three guys playing instruments, a producer, engineer, and a handful of people who made the cover and sleeve. I wish we would go back to that. The record is good too! Great instrumentation and well played. I love the bass tone on this record. There's something about how the bass sounds in these late 70s/early 80s punk/post punk/new wave records that can make or break the whole thing and this is a good one. I would definitely grab this record in the shop and play it when I needed something fun to listen to while I was cooking dinner. 4/5
alberto thesis before the meltdown
Actually really good, some catchy stuff on here I wasn’t expecting to like but I ended up like saving half of the songs Will be back 4
I’m surprised that I don’t know this band as I am very familiar with punk bands and similar genres. This is why I’m doing this- to discover new bands like this. I liked this album. It has good bass lines. I really liked Boy About Town, Scrape Away That’s Entertainment, and Set the House Ablaze.
Not a bad album. kinda reminds me of Public Image but with a more garage rocky sound to it.
deambulando por las calles de un montevideo ochentero siendo un adolescente ávido de experiencias. Muchas veces la música nos entraba primero por los ojos .Y recuerdo con claridad a este grupo de puncks .Sentados en la vereda ,los mhoicanos,las tachas, las botas militares ,las caras de aburrimiento y desidia.Tenian una botella de vino y un disco de the jam.Hoy leyendo la letra de "esto es entretenimiento" entiendo lo atemporal y global de la música.
Pretty cool
4/5
Let's see here ... "post-punk", oh. Hmm, yep. To quote King Crimson's Indiscipline, "I do think it's good [...8 minutes of funky, angular noodling ...] I like it!"
Decent stuff, Start! a particular favourite
Rock executed very well with some classic tracks. "That's Entertainment" stands out. I see why The Jam have come out of their era and stood the test of time
pô bem puxadim prum post punk, umas linhas de baixo bem interessantes melhor do que o outro deles que apareceu aqui, bem bacaninha!
kinda lit
In which Paul Weller, in the proper English tradition, measures out his life in coffee spoons. Or rather, as he puts it on "Dream Time": "my love comes in frozen packs." Weller captures the peculiar feeling of life in a consumerist culture - of having a vague understanding that you're *supposed* to be important (else why all the advertisers trying to influence you?) and yet knowing deep in your bones that you absolutely aren't. I started to chastise them for burying the vocals too deep in the mix on "Set the House Ablaze" but then kept listening to the insistent rhythm figure that *really* signifies and thought better of it, because *of course* you can't hear the guy trying to talk class warfare in the pub. Seems like the best you can do is live in your own little delusional world of self-importance ("Boy About Town"). And "That's Entertainment" feels even more prescient now that literally everything has been collapsed into a form of amusement - *circenses et circenses*. Bruce Foxton's bass is a star throughout. Almost perfect.
Kyllähän jamittelut aina maistuu. Itselle ollut aina vähän semmonen greatest hits -bändi, vaikka kovana Oasis-päänä pitäisikin varmaan olla tutustunut enempi. Hyviä biisejä levyn täydeltä, ja mukavaa kuunneltavaa.
Gosto mais do The Gift dessa banda
Thoroughly enjoyed this. I'm finding out that I'm into post punk. Whatever that is.
Very fun and punchy record
Solid brit rock album. Didn't feel like it pushed the envelope in anyway but enjoyable listen.
I originally had this album generated on day 10 before I joined a group and I gave it a 4/5. I haven't revisited this since it was originally generated, but I really should have! They've got a post-punk sound with a lot of pop sensibility and some clear influences from bands like the Who and the Beatles (Start! straight up sounds like Taxman). I thoroughly enjoyed this one for a second time.
Good album with some great highlights 4*
Very interesting - should listen more of The Jam
So many indie bands that I grew up with in the 2000s owe tonnes to The Jam. They know how to write a slightly dangerous sounding pop rock hit, writing with an edge but that’s also whistleable - not an easy balance to strike.
The Jam is a surprise hit for me today, love the vocals, guitars and overall sound - solid 4!
High energy 80s vibes
The Jam only released great albums.
Cool album!
Enjoyed this. Probably the best we've had of that style/era so far..
This is true punk. Would love this set at CBGB’s. That’s Entertainment
Been a while since we heard from Paul Weller on the list and he's better as a member of The Jam than solo or as a very unstylish council member. Heard of the band but surprised I hadn't heard this album before. Sound Affects has an effect. The songs are quick and catchy. English rock with a punk influence. Got a Psychedelic Furs-Bowie sound. Nothing totally epic but I liked the whole thing with "Start!," "That's Entertainment" and "Scrape Away" leading. This must have had some influence on the later indy-alt bands from the UK. I will be running this one back in the future and will look into some other releases from The Jam...3.7 stars.
I've never quite 'got' The Jam before - they're regularly heralded as masters of their craft and pioneers of the era but they've always given me the cheese-vibe. This album is great though, they really found their groove and it's big on funk. Much much better than I anticipated
I liked the sound of this album from the moment I turned it on. What's keeping this album from a 5 is the fact that nothing stood out entirely on this album, all I can say is that I enjoyed it and that's about it.
What I like the most here is all the various styles these songs go for. They're all still easily categorized as pre-80's New Wave punk, but they're clearly trying to create their own sound. I know that sounds pretty "no duh," but I'm thinking back to other UK punk albums I've heard, particularly the debuts of the Sex Pistols and The Clash, and neither of them change up their styles as much as this one does. That's even acknowledging The Clash's dive into reggae and knowing what they'd go on to do with their future albums. I can absolutely see why this album has been compared to Revolver. And I wanna point out, too: the bass is fantastic. I don't typically notice bass as often as I should, but man, it was so good here. All in all... Man, I don’t know. I'm feelin' a good 4 on this thing. And, like, I can't put my finger on why I'm holding this thing back from a complete 5... It just feels right, you know? And believe me, it's a very high 4. It's just... Yeah, I'll say it again, it's good stuff. No more, no less. And I don't know what else to say besides that, so... Yeah! Good jams from The Jams.
Good
This one was a surprise hit for me. First time listen that got better as the album went on. Great mix of early punk with new wave sympathies.
Really solid post punk! Not sure it’s on the pantheon but really enjoyed it.
Iconic band of course, I only ever owned All Mod Cons back in the day so it's good to hear this today, Two great singles, Start and That's Entertainment, but there's a lot of other cracking material to explore here too.
jao, dosta dobro! još jedno ugodno iznenađenje, premda sam između trojke i četvorke nekako, dat ću četvorku. sigurno ću još koji put preslušati, možda mi se još više svidi
Toca hoy nuevamente banda histórica, que solo ubico de nombre. El disco arranca con una base de bajo brutal y el tono inglés para cantar y relatar historias tan típico de esa época. Disco punkie simpaticón, con bases de bajo hipnóticas. Gracias y hasta mañana.
Ik had twee luistersessies nodig om dit album goed te kunnen doorgronden en recenseren. Het is geen rechttoe rechtaan punkplaatje. Wat maar weer aangeeft hoe snel de echt rauwe punk ook weer uit was. OG punkbands konden eigenlijk maar één boze pijl afvuren. Daarna moest het wel volwassener, complexer. The Jam is daar erg goed in geslaagd. Met name door Paul Weller volgens mij. Op Sounds Affects hoor je dat terug. Ik vind de baslijnen erg lekker en de nummers zijn divers, energiek en passen goed bij elkaar. That's Entertainment laat even op zich wachten, tussendoor vind ik Monday een slechte track, maar zo midden op de plaat is dat wel echt het hoogtepunt. Het is een soort mix tussen de slaggitaar van Johnny Marr en de zang van Michael Stipe. Eigenlijk is Sound Affects best een R.E.M. achtige plaat. Wat ik hier als compliment bedoel. Leuk! Ik duik nog even verder in the Jam... 8/10 Highlights Pretty Green That's Entertainment
Good! And I like the album cover
Muy bueno.
Very good stuff. 4 *
ooh, oh yeah. delicious bass on this one
The Jam have basically been a constant presence in my life for more than a decade now. They were my first bridge towards music that isn't punk (and all of its different variants), which was pretty much the only kind of music I listened to as a young teenager. Sure, The Jam could be labeled as post-punk, but they still felt very different to me because of their obvious pop sensibilities. Paul Weller is, in my opinion, one of the most consistent songwriters in modern music and it's an absolute shame he never left a bigger mark outside of Europe. His music is good at its worst and downright jaw dropping at its best. It's a very diverse catalogue when you take a step back. His vocals are also among my favourite of all time, there's just something so magnetic about his tone and delivery. I saw him live in 2023 and the man still has that special something. Anyhow, Sound Affects is a good represantation of The Jam. The songs are frantic and dominated by phenomenal percussion by Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton. Weller is just slightly buried in the mix, just how I like it when it comes to this type of music. His bleak commentary on society at the time is smart and well-written. Overall, it's not my favourite album from their catalogue (I have to knock down a couple of points just for that damn bee intro on Music For The Last Couple), but it's still a damn good release. Favourite track: Man In The Corner Shop
stupid ass title, but i liked its clever. super rhythmic and bouncy. this might the only new wave band i like tbh
I think punk and new wave is over represented on this list but I like the power pop leanings and bass lines. I can see and appreciate the influence on future indie bands.
This is a really great album. I had heard of The Jam and never heard them but this album is on the edge between new wave and punk in a really great way
The Jam is not a five star band. But damn I love them. Have never heard a song of theirs that I don’t want to move my feet to. Loved it.
Needed some good-ass punk 4/5
Oh, I like this one. I'd heard a few songs by The Jam before but nothing from this album. I think I need more.
Surprisingly enjoyable! Maybe a bit of a dated sound
It’s really cool to see how Paul Weller and the Jam grew in the years. It’s like they had a similar trajectory as the Clash but went down the path of R&B rather than Caribbean music.
It doesn’t feel right to call this pop punk, with the connotations of snotty skate bros, but that’s kind of what this is: hooky pop music with a punk-ish backbone. It’s a very solid album, the songwriting is great throughout and it never drags. I’ve never gotten into The Jam despite having friends over the years who are big fans. Previous listens didn’t do much for me. This is good though, might have to revisit some of their other albums.
Excellent songs, and the band sounds impeccable on this recoding.
Revisiting Sound Affects took me straight back to being that kid in 1980 with a pile of Jam singles and “That’s Entertainment” on constant repeat. The album still feels underrated in their catalogue—lean, sharp, and full of that clipped post‑punk energy they did so well. Hearing it again reminded me why I loved them in the first place: everyday poetry, great hooks, and a band right at the edge of something new. A short, brilliant blast worth rediscovering.
The Jam swallow Revolver, whole, and make some poppy gems (with light psychedelic touches
I liked a lot about this sonically, but its got a bit of that newave voice. Pretty good compositions. The bass lines especially stood out. Set the House Ablaze was the standout track for me. I think oddly this sounded better in the car.
Start! and That's Entertainment are brilliant, and the other tracks on here are pretty good too. Love the sound of Foxton's bass. Very strong four.
Quirky pop-rock that sound like equal parts Joy Division, Elvis Costello, and early XTC. Prominent melodic bass lines and angular drum rhythms and arrangements.
Quite good, actually 👍
I love The Jam, they remind me of my parents and their youthful vigor. Such cool, London music. Album itself is quick and punchy, not incredible but a great, fun, album.
Stabibi
7/10
funky, groovy, fun and energetic. Another pleasant full listen. Nothing in particular stands out, but it's all good, so I'm not bummed out about that. 8/10
3 1/2
really enjoyed this, some really good tracks and that’s entertainment was sick
Gonna give it a good rating for that title alone. Feels nostalgic, like it lives in the radio of a shitty car from the late 90's.
Post-punk som har energien og det hele, men man kan også høre det er meget til den poppet side men ved ikke om det mest er lyrikken og selveste vokalen som lyder meget poppet. Næsten Beatle-esque. Den der lyd af, at det næsten lyder kor agtigt og med lidt afstadn fra mikrofonen sådan stor og rummeligt. Har også sådan nogle vokal lalalala hooks på nogle sange f.eks. der er også et riff som lyder næsten helt som den der sang fra guitar hero jeg ikke kan huske hvad hedder. på man in the corner shop. Nå det er et skide godt album, det virker bare stramt og uden spildtid. Det er lige til sagen og næsten alle sange er bare gode, men jeg føler stadig det mangler et eller andet for at give det sidste.
Pretty solid. Lucas liked it
Frábær plata. Jam má alltaf eiga plötu dagsins mín vegna.
1,2,3: soberbio!! ¿Cuántos artitas han triunfado , en crítica y ventas, con su banda, después de ella forman otra con igual éxito y por último sigue su racha en solitario? Solo se me ocurren dos y ambos se llaman Paul. De Macca es redundante decir nada. Pero de Weller... Imprescindible uno de los mejores y más audaces compositores. Carrera de larga duración , manteniendo un nivel, tanto lírico como melódico, envidiable... Pretty green pone las cosas en su sitio: potencia, ritmo y melodía. Monday baja revoluciones pero no el mensaje. But I'm Different Now aniticipa al shoegazing, aunque no esperes que Weller mira a sus zapatos antes que a calvarte su mirada. Set the House Ablaze es una joya. Start! tiene un bajo funkie que no es copia del Taxman, bueno sí, sino de la tradición mod de toda la vida. That´s entertaiment es uno de sus clásicos imperecederos. Abren la cara B con Dream Time, es imposible no moverse. Man in the corner y es imposible no acordarse de Los Locos (Gijón) o Los Flechazos (León), dos de mis bandas favoritas. Music for the Last Couple es tan extraña como adictiva. Boy about town es mod, sonido soul y urgencia punk. Otra delicia. Cierre con Scrape away, otro viaje, otra maravilla, con sus efectos. Entre el post-punk, el soul, el mod y la eternidad. Se le tildó de disperso, pero el tiempo lo ha puesto en su sitio.
Don't remember hearing of them before but I enjoyed it.
It was alright dad Brit rock, but I can tell why they’re not as popular
I rather enjoyed this one! Very great singles I already liked, and then some great new things to enjoy - bass in "that's entertainment" surprised me as this was first time hearing it on headphones! :)
Well, The Jam rose during the UK punk explosion, but were never really a 'punk band'. I was reasonably familiar with their first three albums, but I'd never really heard this one. It's really much better than I had expected, and it's an album that will repay further plays.
Soy muy fan de Paul Weller, pero me gusta más en solitario que con The Jam. Y en cuanto a álbum, encuentro más interesante “In The City”. Pero bueno, a lo que vamos. “Sound Affects” dulcifica algo más el sonido post-punk de los comienzos de la banda y los acerca más al mainstream de los 80, aunque siempre mantuvieron un estilo propio y es este el que influyó decisivamente en los new romantics. Tiene buenos temas como “That’s Entertainment”, “Man In The Corner Shop” y “Start!”, pese a su poco disimulado homenaje al “Taxman” de The Beatles.
3,6 - Gutes, aber auch nicht wirklich innovatives Album. Kann mich sich sehr gut abholen, bleibt aber auch nichts wirklich hängen. Highlights: Monday, Set the House Ablaze
Start, Pretty Green, Entertainment all classics. I still remember my first time listening to this as a 18 year old. The bit in Boy About Town when the brass kicks in is so good. That's an underrated jam. Closer is decent. Very good album, probably place it behind all mod cons, gift and setting sons, but I love those albums so that isnt a criticism
New fav
Nice
Is it wrong of me to want all The Jam songs to sound like "Town Called Malice?" That song is not on this album, but it is the one song by The Jam that I think is impeccable. I've given The Jam many chances over the years and they are fine, but if they had more like "Town Called Malice" I would think they were excellent. "Malice" is not on Sound Affects, so this album is just fine I guess. My fault for wanting The Jam be something they are not.
This is weller just at the point he starts to spread his wings. Pysch, soul, pop, punk and just classic songwriting.
Post-punk that is actually smart, sharp, and catchy with a sound that manages to be both precise and explosive. Paul Weller believes this is the band’s best and I can’t disagree. Banger after banger. “Set the House Ablaze” is when it really won me over. The do crib The Clash a bit, and “Start!” is an obvious bite of The Beatles’ “Taxman”, but I’m not upset about having another song that sounds like “Taxman” in the world.
This album is great, probably the best Jam album for my tastes. It's all the best parts of the Jam influenced by lots of good bits of the post-punk stuff that was going on at the time.
Favorite track: Man In The Corner Shop
Have this one, but the Jam never excited me much. This one is pretty great, short interesting punky tracks. Love the Taxman riff too. Brave. That's Entertainment is a banger too. Side B weaker for sure. 4 Heard before? Yes Owned: No: 38/145 (26%) Will I get? Already have
me gusto
Um álbum bem divertido. Som que influenciou muita banda de vertentes diversas de Rock Alternativo. TRI x HBB Kai.
I like it. British Pop. 4/5
Not my typical genre but amazing first listen but need to be in a specific headspace to listen to it. Favs- Scrape away & Set The House Ablaze.
It’s staggering how influential the sound of The Jam has been – and still is. To get a sense of just how far their reach extends, listen to Set the House Ablaze and then switch to Helicopter, the second track on Bloc Party’s seminal debut. The lineage is impossible to miss. Then again, in Start! The Jam heavily borrowed from the Beatles (Taxman). Well, tit for tat. Usually, I am critical of “hit singles”, because they are often overplayed, but not That’s Entertainment – I will never get tired of this beautiful tune. It’s one of those rare tracks that never seems to lose its glow. With Sound Affects, The Jam delivered their most lasting output and – at least in my books – their career-defining highlight. What strikes me most about the album is how you can hear their influences (Wire, Joy Division, Gang of Four) everywhere, and yet The Jam somehow managed to make the album sound distinctly their own: timeless and, of course, impeccably punchy. The psychedelic and funk flourishes (apparently, Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall was a huge inspiration too… OK, I wouldn’t have guessed, to be honest, except for maybe the drums) blend in seamlessly and elevate the already great songwriting to greater heights. Also, the cover is just great. A true staple of (post-)(mod-)punk.
Not quite as good as I was hoping but still very good
This is a decent record. It was well-received at the time and has been critically acclaimed since. It sound very much like most of the Brit-rock being released from that scene at that time. It was worth a listen.
While I don’t know if this necessarily qualifies as “need to listen to before you die”, this was pretty good.
What a positive surprise. The Jam has never really been on my radar, yet this record pulled me in right away. There’s something fascinating in how the songs are built. Each track carries a small tension, like there’s always something simmering under the surface. The bass lines feel almost like the main character. Everything else , vocals, sharp drum fills, the guitar’s nervous jangle, plays in support, and the result is a sound that feels surprisingly full and complete. A tight, restless album in all its right.
Upbeat, punky. Reminds me a bit of some of the emo/punk music I listened to in the early 2000s. Liked the “la la las” in “Man in the corner shop”, liked “Boy About Town” and “Scrape Away”.
Pleasantly surprised by this album. Punchy, electric, and not too obnoxious for a mod record. Plenty of catchy hooks and engaging moments throughout that make this a real romp of a listen. Top tracks: Start!, That's Entertainment, Dream Time
Firstly, it seems as if what The Jam were doing on Sound Affects should be called 'Brit Pop.' What with "Start!" ripping off--er, interpolating--"Taxman," I am surprised that George Harrison does not have a writing credit. Then, what came in the 1990s could be called 'Britpop Boogaloo.' I have heard "That's Entertainment" before. However, my simple brain was confusing The Fall for The Jam. So the universe makes more sense now. Mark E. Smith does not sound like David Bowie, but Paul Weller sure does. I know that Paul Weller is not aping Bowie. But I kept imagining that Sound Affects was an alternative universe Bowie album if he had gone punk.
Solid 4
Good. Simpsons: No
It's honestly time that we let bass players do whatever they want again. They're stars, baby, STARS! Something a bit funny about reviewing older music is that it can sound like it's parodying something from a more modern playlist. Lyrics seem on-the-nose, but earnest. I don't know man, I'm vibing with this. Especially the bass lines. Tasty!
I stopped listening to new music around the end of the 80's and completely missed checking out The Jam. Love the 60's British Invasion sound, so basic, and ohhh that bass! Still, the production's pretty thick - I read that the first album was way more raw, and wow, it roars! Stripped back, immediate, teenage hunger. I think I'll be listening to more Jam.
I had to look to see which came first, because Pretty Green was a musical complete rip-off of Singtown by The Steve Miller Band. It was a great song, perhaps best on the album, but OMG, they copped the rhythm, the sound, the feel, the melody, the break. OK, I got that out. This to me is peak new wave dance. I enjoyed this album much more than the first by them that came through the list.
Tiene ese algo diferente que impide que lo apagues
4.8
Incredible album by the Jam. That’s Entertainment and Start! are brilliant singles, plus the deep cuts are a treat compared to other albums.
uk rock band no. 628 DIE KONFITÜRRREEE he binmer nöd 100%ig sicher aber ich glaub er träumt vom mentig (couldn't be garfield) STORY TIME wo ich als chind d garfield comics vom papipa hans und de nana glese han, han ich SO LANG denkt, dass de garfield mit "ich hasse montage" s franz. wort, also "montasche", meint und bin eifach nöd drus cho wiso er sache, wo montiert werded, nöd gern het (wemmer ehrlich sind, d punchline "ich han mentig nöd gern" isch nöd grad de inbegriff vo kreativität) s barocke klavier oder was das au immer isch im hindergrund findi na cute set the house ablaze erinneret mich iwie anes anders lied? so oder so no cool, au s pfiffe stört mich nöd UUUH de fill isch gad sehr stereo gsi, hot AHHHH ich glaub d melodie vom piffe erinneret mich ah the other side vo aerosmith? start wieder GECARRIED vom bass und die churze blöser-ihschüb findi au sehr cool wärm echli uuf WOW ich bin grundsätzlich kein lalalala-fan aber bi man in the corner shop hitteds mega, die klari stimm isch gad soo schön hahaha boy about town isch auno lustig word es 3 oder 4i, es paar lieder hani eecht cool gfunde aber doch au über d hälfti sind eifach ok gsi und nüt mega speziells. de bass het aber durchgehend deliveret
Excellent pure mod quality and technicals better than I expected for a band like that Paul Wellah is a genius
Clearly overlooked it the last time I listened to it, it's got that British cool
Pretty fun. Incredible the run The Jam had during their career. That whole Paul Weller, Nick Lowe, Jam, Style Council circle of artists and songs is some of my favorite music coming out of England during that era. Hard to argue with "That's Entertainment" as a great pop song.
Americans try to broaden your horizons if that’s at all possible! This is music from working class Britain during the regime of Thatcher bit like what you’re going through with Orange face! Superb album
More of a 3.75, but I really liked the punkish new wave feel, but there wasn’t enough particularly stand out
Pretty fun ablum. Feels like Blondie got a lot of inspiration from The Jam. Favorite tracks: - But I'm different Now - Start! - Fantastic bass line. - Dream Time - Boy about time
Really enjoyed this. Will probably get on vinyl Stand out tracks: Monday Set the house ablaze reminds me of bloc party That’s entertainment Man in the corner shop
It's fitting that this was released in 1980 because it sounds like a band transitioning from punk to new wave. "Pretty Green" has an Adam Ant feel to the verse, but a more punk rock feel to the chorus. "Monday" is a great song, and feels ahead of its time. "Set the House Ablaze" feels like blueprints laid down for Bloc Party. "Music for the Last Couple" feels like it's verging into ska. Then there are what I call "the Beatles tracks". Weller openly said that he was "inspired by" Revolver when making this album. Ahem. "But I'm Different Now" sounds like a Revolver track on amphetamines. That bass line is Macca on speed. It's incredible. And then there's "Start!", or as I like to call it, "Taxman". Come on Paul, there's inspiration and there's just taking a full Beatles song and renaming it. Regardless, these songs are all very catchy and enjoyable to listen to. "That's Entertainment" is by far the best song on the album. Clever, witty lyrics painting a picture of urban living, and an excellent, original song that's in a class of its own. Getting over the shameless pickpocketing of the Beatles, I was very torn between 3 and 4 stars for this, but on a few repeat listens, it deserves the latter.
This is a high energy and very consistent, album. That's Entertainment is such a good song. Liked Songs Added: Start! That's Entertainment
This sounds like a proper album - a throwback to when side 1 and side 2 came together to create something that stacks up collectively. It's The Jam at their sharpest, with Weller starting to get edgy and wanting to break free of the band constraints. The songs are tight as fuck, cutting social commentary. We miss them but we wouldn't want them back.
хорошая приятная рок музыка, но альбом не зацепил
I was more familiar with "All Mod Cons" and "The Gift", which I loved, so I had moderate expectations out of sheer ignorance. In fact this is a pretty great album in keeping with the best of this band. Great production, variety, hooks, and the classic working class struggle lyrics. It would be a great intro to The Jam as a recommendation.
It's good enough. But it's hard to be excited The Jam nowadays when there have been so many bads that followed clearly influenced by them. Deserves at least 2 stars for influence
Kadett, Heidenheim - Ulm, Deutschland. Super Album!
Really good range of styles from a tight trio. Paul Weller is a great song writer.
Wow what a surprise! This album is incredible. The Jam have moved away from their earlier punk rock sound into the post-punk, power pop era. And it's fantastic. Their Beatles/Kinks/Who/Small Faces influences shine through but with a heavier funk element. Those basslines! Best tracks after 1.5 listens: Monday Start! That's Entertainment Boy About Town 4.5
Forgot about this lol so it was good to hear tracks I’ve not heard for yonks. Fantastic drumming as always.
Good album but The Gift is better
I always had a problem with Paul Weller’s aggressive confrontational delivery. He sounds like he’s one 'are you looking at his pint' away from kicking your head in. Even after he softened up a bit with the Style Council and is now an old man he still sounds like he wants to glass you. This wasn’t totally what I expected musically. There’s a fair amount of variety on here. The bass is exceptional and it’s sad that Weller did the dirty on Bruce Foxton when he broke up The Jam. Of the singles, I’d say That’s Entertainment is their very best and Start! Is one of their worst. The rest is somewhere in between. 3½
Finding bands like this is why I keep doing this project. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5
I liked it! An interesting sound
Much better than I expected. The Jam got some jams. Will return to this one. 4/5
heard some Bloc Party in this
An album that perfectly bridges the transition from the punk and alt rock of the 60s and early 70s and the new wave and post-punk that would come to dominate the alternative music scene in the 80s. As someone who was part of this transition in my teens I've got a soft spot for albums like this and this one is among the best examples. Another one that sort of slipped throught the cracks for me. I hadn't listened to the album in decades and am glad that the project reminded me to revisit this classic.
Ja. gwn wel een erg leuk jaren 80 brits rock album. Wel veel van hetzelfde, maar ik houd er wel van. 4 sterren.
This is another good album. I enjoyed it. The Jam are a band that I didn't know much about at all until today. I really only knew that they were Paul Weller's band. Paul Weller is a man that I've only heard one album from for this project thus far, that being the Style Council album I got a few weeks back. While I did have a few problems with that album, the best parts of it were actually really great, so I kind of knew that I would like the Jam to some degree. Fortunately, I was right! The style here is quite different though, but in a good way. This definitely takes more of a post-punk-esque direction than the sophisti-pop of the Style Council, which I'm okay with. It's done well here. Unlike the Style Council album, which had a few weak experimental tracks, I don't think there are any super weak tracks on Sound Affects. I don't think any of the songs here are as good as Cafe Bleu's best songs (though "That's Entertainment" comes close), but nothing here's as bad as "A Gospel" so that's good. Weller's singing is alright. The instruments sound nice. The lyrics are interesting. This is just a solid early-80s UK rock album. I like it. Light 4/5.
Dipped a bit towards the end for me but still an enjoyable listen.
Fun pop record. Interesting instrumentation. Lyrics aren’t great all the time, but the hooks make you forget that. 4/5
Fun riffs and fun songs. Series of bangers. 8/10 fav songs : Set the house ablaze & Start!
I really enjoyed this album. Good stuff coming at you regularly. And "That's Entertainment" as a bonus.
A fun short album. Seems very British (in a good way). Pub drinking music.
like it
The Jam definitely deserves one spot on this list. Paul Weller says that this is the best of their albums, so I guess we'll just go with that. I probably would have chosen one of their first three albums, but this will do. I still don't see how that Paul Weller solo album also made the list. It just doesn't hold up against anything The Jam did.
Enjoyable. I’d listen to this again.
## In-Depth Review: The Jam's *Sound Affects* (1980) **Introduction** Released in November 1980, *Sound Affects* stands as The Jam’s fifth studio album and a pivotal moment in their career. Bridging their mod-punk roots and Paul Weller’s burgeoning interest in psychedelic funk, the album peaked at #2 in the UK (blocked by ABBA’s *Super Trouper*) and spawned two #1 singles (“Going Underground” and “Start!”). Critics and fans often debate whether it or 1978’s *All Mod Cons* represents the band’s zenith . Below, we dissect its lyrical depth, musical innovation, production choices, thematic coherence, and enduring influence. --- ### **Lyrics: Social Snapshot and Introspection** **Pros**: - **Working-Class Realism**: Tracks like “That’s Entertainment” (written in 10 minutes post-pub) masterfully catalog British mundanity: *“A police car and a screaming siren / Pneumatic drill and ripped-up concrete”* . Its minimalist imagery became an anthem for suburban disillusionment. - **Political Fury**: “Set the House Ablaze” attacks National Front fascism and political manipulation, referencing the Reichstag fire , while “Pretty Green” critiques capitalism’s soul-crushing hierarchy: *“Power is measured by the pound or the fist”* . - **Vulnerability**: “Monday” explores male insecurity and workplace longing, showcasing Weller’s growth beyond punk bravado . **Cons**: - **Didacticism**: “Man in the Corner Shop” simplifies class analysis with a *“too formulaic”* parable of envy between shopkeepers . - **Ambiguity**: “But I’m Different Now” hints at redemption but echoes vague, unconvincing apologies . --- ### **Music: Psychedelic Punk-Funk Fusion** **Pros**: - **Beatles Homage**: “Start!” famously lifts George Harrison’s “Taxman” bassline (no lawsuit ensued) but transforms it into a funk-punk anthem about communication . - **Genre Blending**: Tracks like “Pretty Green” (driving bass) and “Boy About Town” (trumpet-driven mod) merge Motown grooves with Kinks-inspired melodies . The instrumental “Music for the Last Couple” foreshadows Britpop’s dance-rock hybridity . - **Dynamic Range**: Contrast the acoustic bleakness of “That’s Entertainment” with the frenetic thrash of “Scrape Away,” highlighting the band’s versatility . **Cons**: - **Derivative Moments**: Beyond “Start!,” “But I’m Different Now” echoes The Beatles’ “Doctor Robert” , risking pastiche. - **Filler Tracks**: “Dream Time” and “Scrape Away” lack melodic focus, disrupting momentum . --- ### **Production: Minimalist Clarity vs. Experimental Flaws** **Pros**: - **Post-Punk Aesthetics**: Sparse arrangements emphasize Bruce Foxton’s melodic basslines and Rick Buckler’s punchy drums. The reverb-heavy, “steely” production (inspired by Joy Division/Gang of Four) creates a cold, urgent atmosphere . - **Psychedelic Touches**: Backward guitars on “Dream Time” and sitar-like effects on “Pretty Green” nod to *Revolver*’s innovation . **Cons**: - **Mixing Issues**: Weller’s vocals drown in distortion on “Set the House Ablaze,” obscuring its anti-fascist message . - **Dated Choices**: The stripped-back low-end on Foxton’s bass sacrifices warmth for “new wave” crispness, aging poorly . --- ### **Themes: Alienation in Thatcher’s Britain** The album dissects late-70s UK societal fractures: - **Class Struggle**: “Man in the Corner Shop” and “Pretty Green” expose capitalism’s illusions of mobility . - **Urban Isolation**: “That’s Entertainment” finds bleak poetry in concrete decay, while “Monday” captures lonely commuter angst . - **Political Cynicism**: “Scrape Away” rails against *“twisted cynicism”* in leadership , reflecting Weller’s disillusionment with Tory rule. --- ### **Influence: Blueprint for Britpop and Beyond** - **Britpop’s Foundation**: Blur and Oasis cited Weller’s fusion of social realism with melodic hooks. “Start!” directly inspired The Smiths’ jangle-pop . - **Post-Punk Evolution**: Gang of Four’s angular funk and Joy Division’s austerity reverberate here, influencing bands like Franz Ferdinand . - **Unexpected Legacies**: The Strokes borrowed “Man in the Corner Shop” melodies for “You Only Live Once” , while the album’s DIY studio experimentation prefigured indie lo-fi movements. --- ### **Pros and Cons Summary** | **Aspect** | **Pros** | **Cons** | |-------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | **Lyrics** | Sharp social commentary; evocative imagery; emotional depth | Occasional preachiness; ambiguous redemption arcs | | **Music** | Innovative genre blends; Foxton’s bass work; dynamic song structures | Over-reliance on Beatles pastiche; weak filler tracks | | **Production** | Clean, modern post-punk aesthetic; effective psychedelic touches | Buried vocals; thin bass mix; inconsistent balancing | | **Thematic Cohesion** | Unified critique of capitalism/alienation; introspective maturity | Jarring tonal shifts between songs | | **Legacy** | Seminal for Britpop; enduring cultural relevance | Overshadowed by *All Mod Cons* in critical retrospectives | --- **Verdict** *Sound Affects* remains a triumph of ambition over execution. Its highs (“That’s Entertainment,” “Start!”) are among The Jam’s greatest work, marrying Weller’s incisive lyrics to audacious musical fusion. However, inconsistent tracks and production missteps prevent it from unseating *All Mod Cons* as their definitive masterpiece. Despite this, its influence on UK rock is undeniable—a bridge from punk’s rubble to Britpop’s ascent. As Weller himself declared, it captures The Jam at their “absolute peak” .
Up there with their best. Start and Thats Entertainment pure gold. Nearly 5 but not every song stellar
Probably their best album and that’s entertainment is a all time classic
Alright, let's talk about The Jam's Sound Affects. This album? Man, it's just a solid 4.5 stars in my book. This record has got that awesome, classic Beatles vibe mixed with their signature mod sound, and it just works. It's a genuinely great album from front to back, no skips required. The Jam, well, they truly JAM on this one. My only real complaint is that it's too short! Seriously, I could listen to more of this. I don't have it on vinyl yet, but it's definitely high up on the wish list. Keep bringing the heat, baby! This is the good stuff.
One of the better UK albums, but not particularly compelling. Good instrumentals and decent vocal work.
This was a good listen. Solid 80's music with the feels and sounds of The Psychedelic Furs, The Smiths, and a little Cheap Trick. I enjoyed this and will add The Jam into my music rotation.
Great classic 80s punk album. Has a punk on a hot day vibe. Love the vocal style, just bring joy to listen to. Never listen to a full jam album but glad this was the first one I started with. It really makes you want to get up and move from beginning to end. Definitely one I’ll go back too. Dream time and but boy about town are going on my playlist.
Love Paul Weller, early stuff is great.
Some all time classics on here with Start and That’s Entertainment. One of the better Jam albums for sure
This was a lot of fun, nearly hit the 5
Stood out a bit from the typical “British band from the 70-80s I’ve never heard of”. Highlights for me were Monday and That’s Entertainment, but would happily listen to the whole album again.
If you told me I was getting two albums by The Jam in a row, I'd be mildly disappointed that I didn't have something inbetween that would've made an appropriate Jam sandwich. As it is, I've drawn The Jam immediately after Traffic. So I'm stuck summoning up visions of frustrating hours spent in the car rather than sweet, sticky bread. This album has really grown on me; I've kept it on rotation for the better part of two weeks since generating it. I'd never have called New Wave one of my favourite genres and I had a 3 in mind after the first listen but the songwriting is just so damn good. I've had multiple different songs stuck in my head and been reminded of various 90s-00s Britpop and Indie acts that were clearly influenced by this record. From Supergrass to Ocean Colour Scene and I was constantly picturing Blur listening to these vocals and basslines while writing Modern Life is Rubbish and Parklife. I'm convinced that Set The House Ablaze is the blueprint for parts of Bloc Party's Silent Alarm album. It's tight, punchy, very consistent and a lot of fun.
I liked it.
These rocking Brit Boys 4.5
Wow this was a great album to return to after a long hiatus, maybe a 9/10 for me! I liked the energy and how fitting that I am listening to this on a Monday :D The bass line in That’s Entertainment is very catchy and the slow start of Music For The Last Couple surprised me! Remarkably the messages of Man In The Corner Shop and Scrape Away remain just as relevant 45 years later, which I find very impressive, although I am not thoroughly informed about the historical context of this album. Even today optimism is a rare sight which I find simultaneously understandable and a shame. Nonetheless I liked it a lot and found almost every track enjoyable, the latter half I would consider excellent! :) I would also like to hijack this review to hopefully reach some people that have rated my submitted album Stories by Avicii. Having read every review I am filled by a deep gratitude for everyone who took the time to listen and review it, no matter if it is a 1 or a 5! <3 The reviews range vastly in length and rating but I found them all quite fair, so I hope to explain my choice a bit. :) If I am not mistaken the 2010s and onwards are underrepresented in this superb collection of albums, so I figured this album might be a good snapshot of one of the most prominent artists for one of the biggest genres (pop/EDM) of the time. While nostalgia is definitely a factor and commercial EDM had (a) few other albums that might’ve fit better, I’ve seen the sentiment often that something shifted around the time that Avicii stopped touring, at the latest around the time of his tragic death. In addition I figured that almost everyone has (perhaps involuntarily haha) heard his 5 biggest hits and this album shows a wish to branch off from the typical sound with dirty drops at the time. Hopefully there is some enjoyment to be had with this unique balance even if I agree that it can sound a tad generic at times. In addition one of the reviews seemed genuinely concerned for my wellbeing so I just wanted to let them know and that their kind thoughts for an internet stranger mean a lot! I had indeed been going through a rough patch during the beginning of the year (it’s going better now thankfully!) and I find it hard to juggle writing reviews to the extent that I am satisfied with, while staying up to date with other music and responsibilities as well… This might be a long journey but I hope to continue it piece by piece ;). Much love to everyone who has read this far, left a comment and Alexander for the project! Have a great day or night! <3
So up my alley - recognized several songs from my teens that brought back lots of memories. Good one
Bra skit. Lät bra. Rockig gammal engelsk rock.
Cool
Although this album was very long, I really enjoyed many of the songs on it, especially start! as I thought the bass guitar that plays throughout the song was really solid. Definitely a great album and some new songs to add to my Playlist.
Good album
I thought I didn't like The Jam until I listened to this album and realized that I do! This was a solid album that I listened to a couple of times in a row. Would definitely listen to this again.
I agree with Mr Weller. This is their best work. Love the run of tracks part way through, starting with ‘Set the house ablaze’, then ‘Start!’ and ‘That’s Entertainment’.
pretty freaking good