Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Fun
At moments this almost sounds like a Bloc Party album
Nothing to write home about
Decent listen but nothing grabbed me that much
The grand outcome of the infamous orgy of Duran Duran members, Phil Collins, The Clash members, Jeffrey Epstein, and probably few more people, especially bassists. I shall rate it a "cat showing thumbs up", meaning it's a nice album, some tracks were highlights but I couldn't tell you which titles they were... I am not sure if to give it a 3 or a 4 star rating since I feel like both of them would be quite fitting, but considering the fact that towards the end I felt like they lost me, I guess I am just gonna stick with a 3 star review - just keep in mind it's a great 3, one of the best 3s out there. But something was missing, some piece, some important piece - maybe a relisten would help me make up my mind, but for now I think I'll leave it as it is, for future generations to find and not be able to wrap their head around how much methaphorical cocaine I snorted on New Year's Eve. Which is interesting considering the date of this album (when I got it) is december 4th 2025. Shhhhhhhh...
This album has some cool moments. Nothing especially noteworthy, but easy to listen to as well. My picks: Pretty Green and Music for the last couple. Ok. So I wrote the above review a few hours ago while listening. And right now it's clear this album made almost zero impact on me. I've basically forgotten the whole thing already. So it's clear to me it's nothing special.
Pretty chill vibes and easy listening.
It was okay, especially for a British Band
3,5
Another one I’ve mixed up forever. So glad this wasn’t whatever I thought it was.
Nice background music, doesnt disturb me
I guess like Billy Bragg from the same era, I admire more than enjoy their anger at the world. You can hear the bands they inspired for the rest of the 80s with their guitar pop sound, but I found Paul Weller’s bitterness and echo vocals to grate a little over the entire album. Would still listen to it again though, probably 3.5.
Didn't mind it, but wasn't blown away either. Another English band that probably has more relevance to the list creator than anything else. Overall, not bad, but I'm sure there will be some omissions from this list that deserve more attention. 3/5 Might listen again
Really liked this. Authentic Brit pop-punk before it was cool--making it cool.
the second half of this starts to slog but the first half is so enjoyable and is capped off by that's entertainment so i can't get mad about it. this was extremely british (in a good way!)
this was insanely earworm-y!!! which is fun! good job!
5.0/10
High 3
Felt a little empty. I don’t really like the airy, echo-y sound of new wave, and this album is basically just that. Not bad but too minimal and not very exciting.
Energia boa, punkzinho mais limpo. Foi divertido do início ao fim, mas nada me marcou tanto. Não tenho muito o que pensar. 3* por ser agradável.
Pô, pior que acabei gostando. Algumas músicas eu fiquei meio incerto do que achei, aí ouvi mais uma vez e acabei até adicionando. A primeira impressão é meio genérica, mas elas vão ficando melhor. Destaque pro baixista. O baixo tá sempre altão nas músicas e as linhas são bem daóra. Esse achei um 3 bem sólido.
The US tracklisting looks better. Feels a bit uneven having the two monster singles crammed together at the end of side one.
This bass is really speaking to me
It’s fine. Inoffensive and nothing special
3.5
This is fine but not really my jam.
Upbeat. Kinda groovy. Could be a bit more melodic. Relatively decent, for 80's music. 2,9/5
Its British Punk, nothing special, nothing cutting edge if you will. Some solid tracks but nothing that is "music altering".
I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to this kind of music, so hard to have much of an opinion. There wasn't anything I actively disliked, but at the same time didn't find anything remarkable about it.
Fun
Not my Jam.
Set the House Ablaze
Good album, some all time great tracks
Okay I guess? Didn’t really stick out in my mind.
No complaints about this album, but there was nothing remarkable about it either. 5.5/10.
This was a pretty solid album. I really like some of the baselines and instrumentation. 7/10
Mixed feelings on this one. The instrumentation was very enjoyable, just sounded like they were jamming, hence the name I guess. The vocals however bugged me at times, being overly airy sounding, and overloaded with reverb. The vocal harmonies were sometimes very pleasant, however at other times it sounded like they were purposefully singing slightly out of tune (or perhaps not on purpose? 🙊) Other songs the vocals worked quite well i thought, and to no surprise those were the best ones, The man in the cornershop and Set the House Ablaze were two favorites of mine.
Early British punk rock isn’t my jam, but there is probably no Green Day without these guys forging paths. The bassist stands out as exceptional on this album.
Listened to this twice and didn't much care about it on either listen. I think it was fine enough noise, but didn't do enough in any direction to elicit much of a response. Some of the songs featured some great bass (like Start!), but otherwise, I didn't find much to "love." Felt like the opening to Pretty Green sounds a lot like Swingtown and Monday sounds a bit like a sleepy Bowie. Soft 3 for me.
This album is perfectly fine, but we are at album 962. I feel like this we are going to miss a handful of really great albums in exchange for all of these mid British punk albums from the 1980s.
Just another British rock/post-punk album that came and went. Nothing bad about it so this gets the lowest of 3s
Start! is great. That bassline. Honestly, the bassline on a lot of these songs is great. The vocals definitely aren't great, but the music was decent enough. Low 3.
Didn't feel strongly about this, wasn't bad as background music.
Pretty good.
My first time hearing this, I enjoyed this album, I recognize The Jam’s influence on other bands
Bass is incredible. The music grew on me as the album went on, but I still feel little emotional involvement in it. The usual Brit punk pop falls flat without a proper I don’t know what.
I see why people love them, but not really my thing.
wiedermol en fall vo nonie ghört aha brits postpunk us de früene 80er. find het meh als gnueg vo so albe uf dere liste. monday isch no cool. so mit de cembalo/klavier iwürf. kreativ. bi gad afoch chli frustriert dass nomol sone band debi isch. aaah frontman isch de paul weller. i see. but i'm different now hani sehr geil gfunde. rockiger hässiger. set the house ablaze au hässig aber no flächiger. cool moll. start! isch e reference uf irgenden beatles song mir fallter gad nöd iih. taxman! ja isch taxman (danke wikipedia) thats entertainment findi en coole song, chöntmer no nohlaufe und d gitarre töned super. s riff isch cool mit de schnelle schrummer. man in the corner shop tönt wie smiths bevors die geh het. mag wenns zweistimmig singed. ok nochli wiki glese und die sind jo huuuge gsi ide UK. bsunders that's entertainment. funny. ok ich checks langsam sinds uf de liste. und sie sind guet. nöd afoch nume "uh was guts no für obskuri scheisse wo postpunk isch"
I dig it. New wave seems to be my wheelhouse the older I get. Or maybe it’s just how I’m feeling at the moment. But I liked it.
Nothing special, and glad it was short. 3/5
Meh
Middle of the pack British Rock. Favorite Track: "Set The House Ablaze".
Coooool album - need to pick it up.
It’s a good album but it’s basically a The Jam album and nothing to stray away from that formula. Too samey
Interesting. Wouldn’t go back to it but glad I came across it.
Not a huge punk guy but I enjoyed this the more the album went on
Good stuff. More new wave than previous stuff.
The bass guitar is the REAL star of this album. Every song feels completely structured around what the bassist is playing. Even though the the bass is the backbone, the world of the drummer and guitarist does not go unnoticed, nor are they crowded out. Very nice arrangements with VERY British vocals nestled nicely into the mix. I haven't heard of this band before, and all of these songs were new to me. When I pre-screen these albums before I listen, I saw "British," "post-punk," and "psychedelic pop;" none of these descriptors ever give me any hope that I'll enjoy an album. This one very pleasantly surprised me. I don't know if I'll seek this album out again or not, but it's definitely not out of the question. Quite good! Discovering music like this is exactly why I started this ⭐⭐⭐.5
Es mega typisches 80er soft rock albom, natürlech us em johr 1980. Meischtens e rockgitarre wo verschede igstellt esch, es Schlagzüüg ond öpper wo sengt. Zom teil geds aber au uffröschends wie trompete oder chli sound effekt. De Gsang vom Paul Weller stod chli för mini Meinig öber s ganze Albom: solidi leischtig aber halt wie ned extrem guet. Är trefft alli sini Tön, esch am schloss aber trotzdem relativ begränzt i sinere vocal range. Es ged nie wörk e Momänt wommer dänkt: Wow, dä cha huere guet senge. Velecht escher do scho chli a sine Gränze, es bez experimentiere wär aber secher no geil gse. Ähnldech esches au met de instrumentalisierig: Klar, guet gspelt. es ged aber halt extrem vel 80er Bands wo e Rockgitarre ond es Schlagzüüg hend. De länget dä Loop met emmer de gliiche, ned sonderlech kreative Akkörd wie ned zom rechtig usezstäche. Mer chönnt natürlech säge dass solang t Riffs guet send, send t Akkörd egal. Es ged jo ganzi Albe wo sech genau dör die usdröcked. Öb das au bi dem Albom de Fall esch, esch z bezwiifle. Es ged zwar es paar gueti wie i "Monday" oder im zwöite Teil vo "Music For The Last Couple", aber halt emmer no rächt sälte. Au start hed eigentelch no e gueti instrumentalisierig, do esch s meischte aber eifach vo "Taxman" usglehnt. Sie hends ned schlächt verwärtet, es esch also e guete song, es chond aber ned a "Taxman" äne, au wemmers schlächt cha vergliiche ond ech glaube chuum dass mer die Melodie gross als ehri cha zelle. E anderi Erwähnig woni no wott mache esch "Music For The Last Couple". Eigentlech no geil. Do esch vorallem s Instrumentale relativ starch. De Riff esch also no geil ond es fallt au einigermasse uf. Wär eifach ned die erscht minute. Die hani ned gross verstande. Chli random sounds, wo aber rächt liislig send ond ke grossi connection zom räscht vom song hend. Dä Teil zied so s Lied rächt abe, ond erklärt au wiesos scho fascht am wenigste streams hed. For die ned gross exisitierende öbergäng zwösche de Songs geds debi au ned gross Bonuspönkt. Das Review esch jetzt zwar relativ negativ gse, s Albom esch aber keineswägs schlächt. Es ertrenkt eifach gfühlt i de schiere Masse a 80er Albe. Sie möched nüd falsch, stönd aber au ned wörk use.
Starts strong with a great bass line. Very catchy and has underlying punk-rock sounds while mixing with the synthetic styles coming into the 1980s.
- Wel goed, maar zeker ook niet memorabel. - 0 nummers toegevoegd aan MMMM
I don't mind The Jam, but prefer when Weller went in the soul direction, rather than this new wave beat combo version. Some good songwriting here - Entertainment is this generation's Waterloo Sunset - but to borrow the Taxman riff for a lyric as simple as Start! seems something of a missed opportunity. The fact that the Gallaghers seem to have borrowed so heavily from the more obvious aspects of this all is not the bands fault, but does taint it slightly for me.
Solid quality. I found myself enjoying the singles a lot. That’s Entertainment is great! Wouldn’t mind revisiting this one again. ✨
Ahead of it's time punk pop (different from the 90's version of the same name though,) that is heavily Beatles influenced. Very British new wave sound to the vocals. Consistently interesting songwriting throughout the album.
Pretty good stuff though A Boy About Town feels wildly out of place. Opening baseline of opening track was the highlight
I was all prepared to give this only one star because every song was kind of boring. And then I got to the last four tracks. All four of them were fire and I am obligated to add two more stars.
I may be Pretty Green, but this album will Scrape Away your Monday.
- rockin! seems to be a theme of really celebrated british rock bands making no impact on america since they’re so thoroughly british. I like man at the corner shop. didn’t like the fly in ‘music for the last couple’, but i suppose that’s just it living up to the title of the album. killer guitar in all of this obviously. generally ambivalent about this one!
Man in the Corner Shop = highlight of the non-famous songs. That's Entertainment obviously good.
01) Pretty Green - 7,5 02) Monday - 7,0 03) But I'm Different Now - 6,5 04) Set the House Ablaze - 7,0 05) Start! - 7,5 06) That's Entertainment - 7,5 07) Dream Time - 7,0 08) Man in the Corner Shop - 7,0 09) Music for the Last Couple - 7,0 10) Boy About Town - 6,5 11) Scrape Away - 6,5 TOTAL: 7,00 (70/100) Current ranking: 389/668
It's interesting, it's fun and it's got variety, it got kinda boring to me but I can see enough of the redeeming value to give it a 3, just not in love with it
I actually thought this was a 60s-70s psychedelic band. Relative to a Grateful Dead. Way-off! 80s pop band. Never heard of this band. These guys are cool. Very poppy.
This album didn't quite do it for me, but it wasn't bad. "That's Entertainment" was the big hit and that fell a little flat for me. I liked "Dream Time", and "Boy About Town" the most. 5/10
Fine
Fun. 3.4.
Grunge rock throwback vibe
Aikasta hyvä. En huomannu että loppu kun oli niin lyhyt joten se oli hyvä koska en siis tylsistynyt. Kuitenkaan en muista enää miten ykskään biisi meni joten ei kaiheen mieleenpainuva.
I've never listened to this album (7). A few good tracks, but a bit too messy for my taste.
Some good songs like “that’s entertainment” but some songs are no bueno
Had only ever heard Thats Entertainment before, but the rest of the album is pretty good too. Has some sounds like The Clash and a little bit of The Kinks, and you can even hear how Morrissey was influenced by this.
Start! and That's entertainment are classics, no doubt about it, but the rest of the album doesn't quite match the quality of those tracks. The deluxe version bonus tracks and demos are way more interesting than most of the album versions.
Meh, nothing crazy here but some nice musical nods/quotes. Low 3
A bit of a Clash/Big Country mixup in a surprisingly good way.
Ще один класичний гурт, який я так і не полюбив. Мені здається що навіть сольніки Веллера мені заходили більше. Сподобалась остання пісня, Scrape Away. А так пройшло фоново більш.
Good
The Jam are probably the definition of underrated for their era. This is just a solid album that serves as a nice alternative to when you’re in the mood for The Clash or Elvis Costello but want something different.
This was a mid- album. One song I knew from the movie the Gentlemen
I like The Jam, I can appreciate this kind of music. In and out. "That's Entertainment" is the highlight, but I also liked "Monday". This isn't something I'm going to be spreading often, but it's tastes good!
Solid
I know the band by name and a couple of songs. The write up says they "were the most popular band to emerge from the initial wave of Brit punk in 1977". A bit before my time but I was excited to give it a try. I would definitely not call this punk. It's the start of new wave and that Brit invasion that would capture MTV's attention just a few years later. The songs were good, maybe a little raw and missing that true 80's vibe. The only song I knew was "That's Entertainment", which still gets a decent amount of airplay. "Start!" felt familiar. I didn't mind it from top to bottom but I don't see how it made the Top1001. Not sure if it's influence on the New Wave movement in the 80's or what but with 1 hit song it's not entirely worthy in my book. 3 stars.
Not too long ago we had another "The Jam" album and I noted that I really have a soft spot for them and punky new wave in general. I have the same feeling about this album as I did about the last. I really enjoy the energy and vibe of the album. "That's entertainment" is clearly the stand-out single on the album. On the same good level as "Madness" and "The Shadow” and “DEVO”. Not too many banger hits but still deserves a strong 3
Not entirely my style but good
It's a fun short album. Nothing more, nothing less. Good listen!
Cool early Brit punk. That’s entertainment
could i write poetry to this? y
3.5
"Start!" maakt het album bijna op zichzelf al de moeite waard, maar eerlijk gezegd ... de afmix van de andere nummers bevalt me niet echt, met die vocalen zo ver weg in een bak galm. Het beklijft verder allemaal niet echt. Ik kan er niet meer van maken dan drie sterren.
Fun album and a quick listen (35 min). Reminds me of The Strokes, The Proclaimers, etc. Some punk/rock but mostly pop. The top song ("That's Entertainment") has 73M plays but I've never heard it before, nor any other song on the album.
Consistently good, without ever rising to greatness, outside of (possibly) "That's Entertainment" which was a regularly played song at the 3B's 80s Night.
Hints of The Clash on a few of the better songs, but mostly felt like a Costello/Kinks mish mash that was largely unremarkable.
This album manages to be an enjoyable record with some funk elements that are intriguing, but it feels like it struggles to stand out or maintain a palpable identity
3.5
Pretty good but also kinda forgettable for the genre
Fair play, this was a lot better than I expected. I'm nearly, but not quite, ready to admit that Weller is alright really. The centrepiece of this album is the back to back of Start! and That's Entertainment - two great songs, the latter of which has a real emotional gut punch. It really reminds me of This Is How It Feels, which presumably won't make it on here, in the way it nails the smallness of town life better than (for instance) the Arctic Monkeys. Anyway, I digress, this was not bad at all. For Weller.
So nice, listened to it twice (by mistake).
Was great to drum along to on my steering wheel while stuck in traffic
it wasn't awful but it also wasn't memorable
Liked it. Good stuff.
Poor man’s Bowie?
OK punk.
Una mezcla de new wave y post-punk muy interesante, me ha encantado. El bajo destaca de forma particular, con un sonido muy crudo que marca una atmósfera algo opresiva pero muy enérgica, acompañada por una guitarra distorsionada claramente influenciada por la experimentación contemporánea de los Beatles (de hecho, hasta copian una línea de bajo del tema Taxman, y se escucha algún sitar). La batería también es una pasada, marcando un ritmo rápido y casi militar, aunque a veces la cosa se calma y se acerca más al pop-punk. Un discazo totalmente dentro de mis gustos personales. Tengo que prestarle más atención a este grupo. Pero no le doy más nota porque tampoco creo que merezca estar en la lista: no es innovador y tampoco quiero premiar la presencia de tantos discos de new wave británico.
Not necessarily an objective review, but for me personally too poppy and simple.
Decent not much to say
3.5 stars. Upbeat 80's post punk album.
3 stars. Pretty pleasant listen, can see how potentially a lot of 00’s rock bands were inspired by this. Couple standouts like That Entertainment.
Nice
Eddie Vedder sounded a bit different back then
It was alright. It might have been great in 1980 when it came out, but now to me it's slightly better than generic punk.
Raw blue collar British music. I liked it. That's Entertainment is excellent. The rest of the album has some highlights and sounds a lot alike. Not something I needed to hear before I die, but still enjoyed it. 3.36/5 stars.
It's ok
Never been a fan, but this wasn't bad. Couple of their well known ones and some right crap. But over all ok. I'll give it a 3
Like the real thing I can take or leave the Jam, and every now and then it's good to have a dollop. I quite like their take on 'Taxman', the rest is of a good standard, but they will never be one of my go to artists.
𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 is clever and confidently crafted, full of sharp riffs, dry wit, and angular rhythms. It’s easy to admire but harder to fully feel. While some tracks burst with purpose and personality, others drift by, more interesting in texture than in impact. It’s a smart album, but one that sometimes keeps the listener at arm’s length.
Nice.
Cool, rocky
Very reminiscent of the time I feel, it’s not the worst thing I’ve heard, definitely not by a long shot. Would I listen to half these tracks again? No, did I hate them? No. I feel like it sounds very similar to a lot of the music from around this era. Saying all that though, I did love the opening bass line, I thought the instrumental on most of these tracks was pretty good, however the vocals and lyrics were pretty weak in my opinion. If there was a version of this album with just the instrumental I would absolutely listen to it again. Favourite track - But I’m different now Least favourite track - Monday
Thoughts before listening: Pretty sure I own this record as a totally random used bin find a few years ago. The Jam is a 70s era punk scene band that leaned more towards the power pop side. There are some really fun songs on this album. Review: This is good. There is definitely a through line of British power pop from the Kinks to the Jam to bands like the Libertines. Just simple, catchy rock n roll songs. The best track here is "That's Entertainment", but it's overall an enjoyable listen. 3-stars
Muy muy guapo, tiene ritmo gracioso
3.0/5.0: Good
nice bass throughout, and some decent guitar work. the songs themselves were pretty boring
More atmospheric than I expected.
For 1980, this is pretty fun. You can hear they influenced a few later punk bands. It sounds good. The bass is very high in the mix, which I am not used to, but it works very well here.
A fine album, but it didn't wow me in any particular instance. Everything felt like an 80's brit rock group and I think that was a the sound through and through. I don't dislike it, but it did not feel seminal to me.
Good album but a bit too long and repetitive for my liking
Not bad, not great. Just an okay rock album. I thought I would enjoy it more, but oh well.
also eh. i was disinterested enough to not take any notes. nothing sounded bad or poorly made to me so i’ll give it a 3/5.
It was alright but I probably wouldn't rush to listen to it again
Pretty decent punk album.
I like this kinda music more when it pulls more from pop rather than rock but still enjoyed! Fav song: Music for the Last Couple
Another one of those where there were flashes of something good, but the album as a whole fell flat for me. Too generic/boring; no standout or memorable tracks. 3
Kasari rokkia. Vähän sellainen new wave fiilis, mutta rokimpaa. Man In The Corner Shop kuullosti jokseenkin tutulta. Parhaat: Man In The Corner Shop, Start!, Set The Place Ablaze
Solidd
Is ok
Start! That's Entertainment
The song that epitomizes this album is "Music for the Last Couple." It's musically interesting and took a lot of skill to put together. Also, it's just not all that fun to listen to, nor is it particularly immersive. I'm a decently big fan of The Jam - have all the albums on CD and pretty regularly listen - but "Sound Affects" is a weird one for me. On one hand, it has some of the band's best tracks - "Start" and "That's Entertainment," the latter being arguably their best song ever, at least lyrically. It also has songs that probably didn't need to see the light of day ("Pretty Green" and maybe "Set the House Ablaze"). This album was where The Jam hit the point of diminishing returns: All the albums before this were better, and "The Gift" is even less interesting. (Or maybe "Setting Sons," the album prior to "Sound Affects," is better seen as the band's artistic zenith?) It's a shame, as the band's mix of Northern Soul and Motown into its London (Woking, actually) could produce some of its best, most interesting songs, it came with a tradeoff of more clunkers.
Listened to this twice and forgot to write anything down. Highlights were Start! and That’s Entertainment. 3.5/5
Not bad
meh
Pretty fun album. High three.
Good stuff
Ok
Pretty alright. Definitely psychedelic inspired. Sounds like most British music from the time.
New band/album for me. It’s ok. Nothing to write home about.
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would.
Enjoyable, palatable new wave. Short and sweet. Doubt I'll particularly remember anything about it, though.
This album was alrigh
A few of the catchier songs caught my ear, but I found most of this kinda bland and flavorless.
Beetles go punk, it's odd but good
Early 80’s new wave feel
It's a nice album, very fitting of the UK postpunk sound, mixed with some touches of funk. "That's entertainment" is obviously the most popular song, but it also contains a couple of "hidden gems", like "Set the house ablaze" (which would later be sampled by Bloc Party) or "Scrape away", which was my personal favourite. While I found it a good album, it didn't blow me away.
Sounds like everybody else
average
Rating: 5.5/10 Some of the instrumentation is great, mostly forgettable though.
Very decent indeed.
Fun and punky
Generic, plain, and boring Best Song: That's Entertainment Rating: 5/10 (Enough) Stars: 3/5
Not a bad album, a couple of good tracks, especially That's Entertainment. As someone born in the UK in 1970 I was probably too young to really appreciate The Jam at their peak, they were just ending as I started to get into music. I think there are better albums by this band.
Weller tuntuu artistilta, joka ei halua vain rokata, vaan keskittyä myös biisintekoon, mutta jonka biisinteko on implisiittisesti vain rokkausta (mikä ei tarkoita, etteikö hänellä olisi asiaa - jopa sanottavaa). Tällä levyllä kaikki loksahtaa aika pitkälti kohdalleen, ja rokkaus toimii. Arvasit oikein: That's Entertainment.
Day454 - you know what they say. that’s entertainment
6.5/10 Better than I expected, credible music, production, lyrics A few bangers Not fully in love with Weller’s cockney accent Best: Start!
oooh I love The Jam. This was a fun album.
Yet another random english rock band? Disc 2 gave Beatles vibes. It's ok, I just can't take so many of these british rock bands that feel like they don't add anything innovative or interesting. 3*
Between 3 and 4, but lower 3.
[7/10]
Better than expected
Fun album. Love short, precise records like this. Would come back to this
Never listened to any Jam albums in full before. Set the House Ablaze and Scrape Away were the standouts for me, That's Entertainment didn't hit as hard as I remember
More random British music. It's not bad or anything but what's so special about it?
Is he doing a David Bowie impression on purpose? Or did people just sound like that back then? This is pretty cool and eclectic though.
Never listened to The Jam before. Not bad. “That’s Entertainment” was written in ten minutes while drunk
new wave吗 那无敌了
I agree with another review that they're very similar to other Brit bands of the era. Some of those bass lines be groovy fr tho.
Proto smiths
A fun listen, but pretty inconsequential. Not something that left a super lasting impression. Plus, I’m kind of over all the moaning 80s Brits.
Another okay album 3/5
The guitar is very good, and probably the high point of the record, some nice riffs scattered throughout the album and surprised me with how prominent it is and how enjoyable it was. The bass is very punchy and front and centre. I enjoy Paul Weller on vocals a lot, an iconic voice. He shines most on 'Man In A Corner Shop'. I really enjoyed the more upbeat punky tunes 'But I'm Different Now' and 'Set The House Ablaze'. 'That's Entertainment' is another highlight, very familiar to me thanks to my dad listening to it a lot when I was younger. This is probably the most three star album I've heard so far. It never dips below that and occasionally ventures into four star territory.
The Jam is another one of those bands I'd been meaning to listen to but hadn't gotten around to yet. I knew they were influential in British rock, and I knew Paul Weller has become a bitter old arsehole, but that's about it. It's a pretty good album if not a little generic. It's 60s-influenced pop-punk with lots of catchy hooks and an acoustic feel on many of the songs. Lyrically, the songs range from simple love songs to vaguely political songs about working-class struggles. I can see why Chris Parry signed them and then signed The Cure a short time later — they both had a catchy pub-rock vibe early on. But it seems like The Jam got stuck in that rut and never really evolved, which is why they only lasted about five years. Musically it's pleasant but derivative. "Start!" sounds like a ripoff of The Beatles' "Taxman." "That's Entertainment" could be an Elvis Costello song. There are shades of The Clash, David Bowie, The Who and other bands on many of the songs, but there's never anything super unique. I'd never be able to instantly identify a song by The Jam. It's not hard to see why Oasis considers them a big influence — they have the same pastiche vibe of sounding vaguely like a bunch of other bands who've done things better. It's a catchy album. I liked it. I might listen to it again. Is it world changing, though? Meh. Highlight: "Music for the Last Couple" 3.5/5
interesting sometimes, very repetitive otherwise
Fun to listen to, but nothing mind blowing for me. Maybe in its time it was innovative
Not bad, not particularly memorable either though.
Pretty Green 3.3 Monday 3.6 But I'm Different Now 3.3 Set the House Ablaze 3.5 Start! 3.6 That's Entertainment 3.4 Dream Time 3.3 Man in the Corner Shop 3.4 Music for the Last Couple 3.6 Boy About Town 3.4 Scrape Away 3.3 Score: 3.427272727
Meh
I liked that I could hear elements of bands to come, like REM and Arcade Fire. But since I don’t belong to either of those bands, I can’t say I enjoyed this one very much.
I really want to rate this higher - every time I start thinking it’s a simple song they do something interesting; however, I’m not going to seek it out, and the songs aren’t likely to come back to me. I don’t know they were ever truly punk, but this is pop that gets its sound from the late 60s. The final song was fun.
This picked up in the second half and I'd be willing to listen again but for now it's a 3+.
Not bad.
Reminds me a lot of both Talking Heads and The Clash :)
Truly unremarkable. Plenty similar music of this style that I'd prefer to listen to. Not sure why this made it on any "must listen to" lists
An up and down effort
Middle of the road for me. Would like to give it a 2.5 instead of 3. Monday was a good song.
was good
***An ok album
2.8 1x
Enjoyed it. Didn’t change my life but there were some ear catching moments. Would give another listen.
Enjoyable
Do not remember this one. A brief check on Spotify tells me it was good.
Hadn't heard before, reminds me of the sex pistols
Nice. I think when I recognise songs I like the album more, idk if thats good.
I did not mind this but it was not particularly engaging for me. I may listen to it again but would not necessarily seek it out.
Not terrible but felt mediocre.
I like the Jam, but haven't listened to a lot of their music. Definitely that early 80's new wavy sound. You can hear Beatles influence in some songs, like Start! Good music here.
Better than what I expected.
Some fabulous music that to mind is held back by often mediocre vocals and lyrics.
Actually, the music was supposed to be exactly my style. I was looking forward to listening to the album. Somehow I didn't get on with it today. I wasn't impressed by the music. Somehow I found it quite flat. I only liked the piece That's Entertainment quite a bit. 3/5
Well, there is a lot of influences in here, and it feels a little bit like 'can we do a record that sounds like wave but actually is late 60ies with a little punk and psychedelic in it?' Good musicianship, outstanding bass/drum interlock. Very well executed, but as with all Paul Weller output it somehow matches the mark of really catching me. Still, a very solid record.
Not bad at all.
That’s Entertainment! 6/10
Quite like this. Nostalgic early 80's UK punk sound with less dissonance than Sex Pistols and more grit than the Kinks.
Pretty catchy
Start! // That’s Entertainment // Dream Time //
cool
Weird but good weird
Ok
Our friends at Rolling Stone are not shy about their feelings towards Britpoprock. As we celebrate 250 albums on 4/11/25, there's been a whole lot Britpoprock played already and exactly 300% more to come. Some days I wish there was less. The Jam were new to me (as were the Undertones), but a little all over the place—to surprising Effect.
Certainement une bonne introduction à l décennie 1980, m’a fait penser à Duran Duran et Depeche Mode, avec des cuivres qui les relie pratiquement à la décennie 1990.
Songs i knew: 2 or 3 Songs i liked : about half Why do the jam sound like there's no lead singing and it's all backing vocals. Raise your fucking voice Paul. That being said still a solid album, some well know songs on there and a decent vibe. This is basically the 1980 version of Metallica and justice for all, high 3.
Really good 80's English punk record. Is it punk? I guess that's how I think of The Jam. "That's Entertainment" has always been a favorite
A more produced and melodic Clash.
Favourite track: Set The House Ablaze.
I liked it and would listen to it again.
Not bad
Cool fun album
rox \m/
Reading the global reviews of yesterday's album was a real bummer. Who signs up to listen to 1001 albums and is unwilling to give space for a more contemporary story told in modern soul language? Well whoever they are can be happy with this album. It's regular ass alternative rock from the UK that the writer has a particular affinity for. Hardly anything to write home about here. Every note these guys played is better done somewhere else. I'd rather listen to the Police or the clash or the cure or the doors, or any of those bands in a similar lane. I really don't care about this. It's not bad enough to get a 2 but I still went back to give it a second chance and that will likely be the last I hear of these Sound Affects forever.
This is like if the clash were a pop punk band, of the time anyway. It’s like the feel good version, without any of the actually interesting parts of the clash. It’s easy to listen to, the bass in particular sounds great, but it’s pretty generic to me. I can’t believe “that’s entertainment” is the big single off here; it’s the worst song on the album.
I'm giving them a 3 only because I didn't despise it. Kinda boring, but at least they sounded happy about it.
Never heard of this band but the album seemed familiar in a comfortable way. Crisp early 80’s pop rock. The Taxman guitar riff ripoff caught my attention but it was a fun nod.
Jma what.
Right down the middle of the three star review. Perfectly listenable; has that one hit single you've heard on the radio; mostly background music, let's be honest.
More brit-slop but not as bad as others. There were a few good songs. But I'm Different Now and Set The House Ablaze were both really good. Overall okay album
I enjoyed this! Definitely a couple of “big tunes” on here. 3.5
chunes*
short and to the point!
It was good, better than I thought.
Strangely a pre-Blur album that really is fun
Between the year of release and the band name, I'm not encouraged. Two songs in, this album is exactly what I expected. The early 80s is without a doubt the worst period for popular music. The edge got sanded off punk, hip hop hadn't been developed yet, rock was in decline, even hair bands hadn't come into their own yet. This is maybe the missing link between 70s pop punk like The Clash and New Wave music. Many of these songs sound the same. That's Entertainment is the best song on the album...Man In The Corner Shop is the worst. The album is a good length and it doesn't have any really long songs to drag on. Scrape Away has that ska sound that all of these bands had. Did The Clash ruin rock for half a decade?
I really like the idea of this band, but the music didn’t really show me anything great. I love that’s entertainment anyway
Well... I can stand listening to this album. I don't feel any need to do so, but if it happened to play somewhere, I wouldn't run away screaming ... which is more than I can say about a lot of albums on this list. 3/5
Alveg hresst á köflum og fjölbreytt, en röddin gerir lítið fyrir mig og lögin eru ekki mjög eftirminnileg eftir tvö rennsli. Köllum þetta gott.
I kind of like Set the House Ablaze, Start!, Boy About Town
Perfectly fine, but nothing that really stood out to me. I liked the bass playing. This feels like something I could have really got into on the right day, but today I wasn't really feeling it I guess
It’s basic new wave punk. Middle of the road for me.
Not bad, some good ones.
This sounds like a rip off of David Bowie and the clash, but like in an… okay way? Idk. I’ll have to give it a better listen. Not for my ears today
Typical 80’s pop. Not bad.
Based upon reviews and genre, I expected to give thus a big ole 1 star burger. Was pleasantly surprised. Much better than expected. Still, not something I would listen to again, but didn't hate it.
Ah, it has 'That's Entertainment' - old school 80s new wave.
Paul Weller's charm really comes through on this album. I didn't expect much but the infectious pop punk vibe on album said otherwise, this was really something. Notably I liked the bass on Start! heavily inspired by Taxman. Very good album. Top 3 Best: Set the House Ablaze, That's Entertainment, and Man in The Corner Shop Top 3 Worst: no bad songs 3.55/5
great single
First listen. Pretty good.
I liked the last song the best, surprisingly
This album was OK to listen to but not list-worthy.
not my super jam (hahaha)
Enjoyable.
This is quite a well-made version of an ironic style of punk that I don't really care for.
Not bad
I’m trying to have an opinion on it but I just don’t care 2.5
This was ok, All Mod Cons is my favourite of theirs
It’s probably better 80s Brit pop rock than most. Not my scene and seemed every song was pretty interchangeable Just didn’t resonate with me.
When the still sea conspires an armor And her sullen and aborted Currents breed tiny monsters True sailing is dead. 3
An album of its time.
Of course I know all The Jam singles but weirdly I’ve never listened to an album of theirs before. I think I expected more. Didn’t dislike it but That’s Entertainment is by far the best song
Happy to hear an album by The Jam other than the one I own (Snap). I preferred Snap, but acknowledge this is unfair as I grew up with it and made more synaptic connections than one listening here. My solution is to listen to more music by the Jam, starting with a relistening to Sound Affects.
Talking heads adjacent with some Bowie, but for me not the rights parts to put them on that level.
3, good, not sure if I would listen again
I forgot how much I missed this!
Favourite Song: That's Entertainment
Great, prominent basslines throughout, some interesting guitar work, occasionally straying into the Bowie-esque but a nice cohesive 35 minutes that's just a little too samey for my liking. An enjoyable 3.5.
It was a bop
Succinct, diverse, upbeat. Didn't mind that at all.
I played this album a lot at time of release. I have it on vinyl so know the album well although must be over 30 years since I gave it a spin. Cannot say that I was fully committed to The Jam. They produced some great individual tracks but for me there was a lot of filler. This is a good example of this with the singles Start and That’s Entertainment standing out. But my personal favourite is Boy About Town which should have been a single. My all time favourite Jam album was the previous one to this Setting Sons. Wiki says that Sounds Affects was a deliberate move away from Setting Sons to the more familiar Jam sound. This says a lot about which Jam sound I prefer and perhaps why the band never took total hold with me. 3/5 18/7/24
Somewhere between Rock and Punk ... I like the rough tone
OK, I liked some of these songs. I like that this suggestion was from a band I had not previously heard of or listened to. My only gripe is the over-prevalence of this specific genre. Lots of 60s, 70s, 80s UK rock. Maybe replace those with some Australian psych rock? King Gizzard? Tame Impala? The Osees? I just fill there are a lot of genres that are just missing and instead we get 500 albums similar to this...
Love this band and their sound. This is solid 1970s/early 1980s British punk / new wave. 3.5
pretty fun little album.
It’s fine I guess.
Lite intressanta låtar faktiskt. Tidig britpop, måste ha inspirerat tex Blur. Skulle kunna lyssna igen. Har inte så mycket mer att säga.
For the most part I enjoyed this garage-esque record, especially picking up on a bunch of Bowie sounds. I just can't see myself revisiting.
6 / 10 Punk Rock de principios de los 80. Siguiendo la estela del momento. Escuchable sin más.
Enjoyed this, especially Pretty Green and Entertainment. But a lot of the anger is gone.
Na een uur electronisch gepiel van Willem Baan (waar ik niks tegen heb) is het wel weer lekker om een (bas)gitaar en een drumstel te horen. Klinkt als de opa van Blur met wat lichte punk invloeden. Een beetje opgewekt, ongecompliceerd, Brits. Best een lekker album. Qua cijfer lastig. Ik vind dit niet verkeerd, maar ik word er ook niet actief enthousiast van, dus dit zit ergens in een niemandsland van de 3 en de 4. Ik hou het op een 3 omdat het wat vergeetbaar is.
6/10
Inte deras största hits men bra kvalitet ändå.
Interesting art-pop in places, utter cringe in others.
Not too punk, I enjoyed it for a while. First half - 4, second half - 2
Meh.
I knew 1 song on here, the rest was fine, very much of an era and style.
2.5
I should have reviewed early. I remember kind of enjoying but it has left my consciousness now. Will I listen to again: 25%