Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Already knew and love the album.
I liked it, just was not super memorable for me :/
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It's a mix of new wave and punk, kind of The Clash meets Mod-era The Who: the singing is similar to Joe Strummer, and there are full downstrokes of guitar reminiscent of Pete Townsend. A really fun record with many strong songs, I'm surprised I'd never heard it.
7/10
A strange one, like no stand out songs, but the whole thing is a carefully curated journey into the post punk new-ish wave world. The band are tight and Paul Weller is inspired, a nice time.
man, another album by the Jam that isn't one of their big ones. what's the deal, robert dimery?? this is solid british new wave music, but is missing that je ne sais quoi to make it excellent. my favorites below piqued my interest at one point or another after like 3-4 full album listens, but i couldn't really tell you what any of them are about or what they sound like. honestly this is around a 3.5 for me but i like the lyrics and overall sound so i'll round up. favorites: all mod cons, david watts, english rose, billy hunt, it's too bad, 'a' bomb in wardour street, down in the tube station at midnight
Listened to before: No For a long time I wanted to listen to The Jam, now I finally got to do that. From my perspective this is a solid album, without being remarkable. It has quite a few bops, that I added to playlists, but I don't think the full album will get many more spins. But let us talk about English Rose: This is the absolute standout track - a magical little love song that hits me directly in the feels. In total I am exactly between 3 and 4 stars (3.5 obviously). Going to be friendly and hit the four stars button
Great English punk
So much fun.
This was a solid listen! It was enjoyable. Nothing really blew my mind but everything was fun to listen to. An album that kind of just passed me by but in a good way.
The Jam was one of the first albums that I got when I started this project. At the time, I was really impressed (I didn't know how much brit-indie was in my future.) So I was kind of mixed when I saw this was the album today. However, in a positive shift, I realized that I still like this band. This album is really cool! Its a little less punk than their earlier stuff, but I like that its kind of that early new wave or post punk. The vocals kind of remind me of The Smiths, but the music is overall a little more punchy and peppy.
Really liked this album. Fun and punky but still very melodic - great songs. Super enjoyable from start to finish.
A two-day Jam-fest! Well, I enjoyed this marginally less than Sound Affects. It somehow felt a bit looser and more raw, and a lot of the little hooks and melodies stayed with me, although they felt somehow like less fully realised and perfected songs. I could see a lot of influence on Britpop, especially the likes of Supergrass and Elastica, not to mention Ocean Colour Scene, who worked a fair bit with Paul Weller in due course. This album also has one of my personal favourite features; really good bass guitar work.
Kinda clash like. Not the best but not the worst
Weller's songwriting grew up on All Mod Cons which is a bit of a Jam classic even if seems like a big nod to Ray Davies/The Kinks. Pretty consistent and some great singles like A Bomb In Wardour Street and Down in The Tube Station. Cutting stuff for 1978. 4/5
okay I like this a lot! Who-inspired in the best way possible. I don't know if I would seek it out, but maybe I will
Good fun, high energy, bouncy and interesting
British
About as British as it gets. I was unfamiliar with them and I’m glad I discovered them. 4/5
Better than the other Jam album so far. However, still not the top tier of album. But good nonetheless.
4/5
8.5/10! wasn't expecting to like it, enojyed it for the most part!!
I think I have a week spot for British punk/new wave. I just like the energy and sound of it. Felt like a mix Talking heads and The Who or The Kinks. I mean, “David Watts” could easily been written by The Kinks. Favourite songs were “David Watts” and “Mr Clean” with it’s cool riff. There are not too many hits but I still thought it’s a good album. Going to give it a weak 4.
This is a weird one to me because although I like it isn’t at all memorable. I think The Jam are a greatest hits band for me. 3.5 rounding up because it is worth more than a 3
This was such a fresh, distinct sound amidst the raw energy of the punk movement, it was easy to fall in love with these guys. Still love 'em
esse eu fui com 0 expectativa e me surpreendi positivamente bem interessante
SE FOSSE MAIS BRITÂNICO QUE ISSO EXPLODIA tá perdoado porque é bem new wave. eh agradavel!! parece que as letras são bem críticas ao governo/sociedade inglesa, mas não tive tempo de ler não
Its weird going into this already liking the Paul Weller solo stuff, but this has gotta be a step up. Its not really got the total aggressiveness of some of the other British punk stuff, but thats quite good, I don't think you call totally call this punk though. I really like the acoustic song(s). Its just overall really catchy and fun. Not really any downsides either. Favourite songs: all Overall around 8/10
Not my fave Jam album but still love it
New to me and I like it!
Overall: 8/10 I knew these guys were british exactly 22 seconds in. Such a great, fun, punky album. The instrumentation is creative and unique. I love the vocals, they fit so well with the songs they wrote. If anything, I'm just surprised I never even remotely had this on my radar. The bassist is insane. Fav Song: Mr. Clean Least Fav Song: Fly
Pretty cool. Never heard of the band before. Off to a good start!
This was an amazing discovery! I didn't know anything about Paul Weller except "You do something to me", I'm happy to know more and I will listen to more records by The Jam for sure
This was good
Love it. Favourite track is Down In The Tube Station At Midnight, which is a brilliant song. A lot of love for David Watts and English Rose too 4/5
Pleasantly surprised by this album. I hadn't heard of it, but I really enjoyed it. Good variation across the album, some angrier songs, some softer songs. Reminded me a bit of The Clash. Will definitely listen again. Fav song: Down In The Tube Station At Midnight Least fav: English Rose
not bad
Quite enjoyed this one- the haircuts do look a bit silly. Nice sound and vibe of the album . Bit too English for me though. specific rating- 4.3 Fav song - billy watts Least fav - English rose
An album where I hadn't listened to any of the songs before and am very glad to have them heard now! Exactly what I want the list to deliver. Favourite: Down In The Tube Station At Midnight Least: English Rose
Good one. Don't know what to say, besides that you can hear from when and where this thing comes and that's not a bad thing. Fav Track: Down in the Tube Station at Midnight
Pretty great. The second side grabbed me more than the first, though both were good. Down In the Tube Station is a fantastic song. High 4, pretty close to 5
this is good! i remember picking up a jam compilation as a teenager and not really digging it, too bad i hadn't found this record instead.
Good music. Good vibes. Good times.
I enjoyed this one quite a bit, I could put the album on and listen to it in full. Sounds like a nice intermediate between the Beatles and the police, I’m surprised I never heard of them before. Four at five.
Бодренько епте
Punchy, classic tracks that have aged well, particularly the singles
Good, easy to listen background album. Very The-Clashy.
Very high quality, with a precision and sharpness that still sounds impressive. "In the Crowd" is wonderful, as are "Down In the Tube Station" and, in another vein entirely, "English Rose." "David Watts" and "A Bomb in Wardour Street" and "Mr Clean" have much to recommend them, too. This record points forward, and is an obvious and significant uptick from their debut effort.
75/100. Tight songwriting, sharp energy, and a consistent sound. It doesn’t necessarily push any boundaries, but it doesn’t need to. It’s just a reliable, well-executed listen that holds up nicely.
Melodic pop-punk
That bassist saved this record for me.
The Jam made several consistently great albums in the late 70s, All Mod Cons is one of those albums from that period - it is a very good mod reviwal/power pop album, with great short, punchy songs, but similarly to Sound Affects, it doesn't have an outstanding or wow factor to earn a 5.
Paul Weller has been ever present like the sun throughout my life. I didnt always appreciate him, but he was always around sharing warmth and energy. The older i get and the more of everything i hear, the more i enjoy basking in his rays. This has the usual blend of moddish energy and hint of the balladeer he could also be. I heard English Rose on his retrospective orchestral album and was interested to hear its origional form. Be more Weller
I had not really listened to this before. I really liked it. Great vocals. Great drums. Some good hooks. I thought the production was really clear.
This was a fun listen with lots of variety I dont think it matches up to the clash or the smiths but still a fuuun listen. Low 4
A great album from a great band that I’ve enjoyed and respect, but maybe have never fully connected with. I can’t fully explain it, but I think it has to do with the same reasons the Jam were huge in the U.K. but had little impact in the U.S.: the sensibilities and ethos in their music are British through and through. This struck me during this listen while English Rose was on. What a beautiful, raw tribute this song is to Pete Weller’s home country (and girlfriend at the time). He’s likened this song and touring in a band to old sailers that left England and their wives for months on end. While there are universal themes in this song and others, Pete’s lyrics and delivery are so very British. I don’t mean this in a bad way at all: quite the contrary. I think it’s a beautiful thing. Anyway, All Mod Cons is a fantastic album, and I won’t argue with anyone giving it five stars that it’s deserving.
The Jam's debut album, In the City is a personal favorite, mod-punk with a propulsive catchy 1960s sense of melodic vocal harmonies and an outsider's perspective of the British class structure and subculture. All Mod Cons has the band diversifying their guitar, mod and freakbeat inspired New Wave with a Kinks cover ("David Watts") and a couple of acoustic songs ("English Rose" and the opening of "Fly"). Paul Weller was experiencing writer's block on this third album and evidently cast aside a few songs that were later included on the album, but they mattered so little to him that lyrics were not included on the original liner. The first three songs have the sort of pop culture and social criticism of the UK found in the discography of the Kinks, this influence culminates in David Watts. "In the Crowd" has a similar lyrical sympathy with "Going Underground" and "Away From the Numbers" a sense of isolation in a culture, a subculture, a demographic, a generation, but it eventually evolves into a Freakbeat inspired guitar feedback rave recalling so many British Invasion bands. I don't know if this coheres into a complete and essential album, but there are moments of New Wave sheen that makes me recoil until the punk energy and attitude comes in.
Nice short and sweet album.
fun album
1. i know paul weller from his association with oasis. 2. i know the Jam because of "Going Underground" being featured on the London olympics opening ceremony. 3. and i think it's good although i wont put this on repeat! 4/5
British punk vibes in a 70s rock setting -- pretty good!
Would listen again; just a simple, fun and good album that I would have loved when I was heavy into the clash, the specials, etc. in my teenage years. A high three that I’m rounding up to a four. Faves: English rose, all mod cons into to be someone
Proper album. They really nail that new wavey punk rock sound that was popular among British artists in this era. Paul Weller doesn't have an amazing voice, but he doesn't need it since the songwriting is good. I enjoyed the album, but it could have used a bit more change up.
I didn't actually know this one--Sound Affects is more my jam--but it's excellent, of course.
++: All Mod Cons, David Watts, English Rose, In the Crowd, Billy Hunt, It's Too Bad, The Place I Love, 'A' Bomb in Wardour Street, Down in the Tube Station at Midnight +: To Be Someone (Didn't We Have a Nice Time) +-: Mr. Clean -: Fly 7,9/10
aye brah no you luvv na kinks n allatt brav les mak ann alm wittda soun ykno
In April 2003, a man in a pub threatened me with an ashtray because I called Paul Weller 'shite'. Well I'd like to apologise to that clearly unhinged man, and in fact the Modfather himself, because this was actually dead good. It makes you wonder why all the famous Jam songs are so rubbish really. Also, all of Weller's solo work is risible, so I retract my apology.
Der er noget Television over det. Men mere punket på en eller anden måde. Og noget The Clash. Og elementer af The Police. Og så er der en rigtig fin lille sang i English Rose. Jeg tror ikke de her englændere kunne li’ at blive sat i bås. Troede heller ikke at jeg kendte dem af mere end navn. Men det er da dem med A Town Called Malice.
every song on this sounds like it could be on a tony hawk's pro skater game which honestly is pretty good praise from me. well done to the jam, solid one
this was sort of awesome (fun and groovy)
Тоже четверочку поставлю - он как-то поживее и в другом стиле, чем предыдущий альбом. Потанцевать в баре, дрыгаясь руками и ногами - вот такое настроение )
Pretty good album. I listened to this a few times and could go for more. 4.5/5
Nice.
Hey, they were on the Billy Elliott soundtrack makes track. And this sounds pretty good. I’d like to hear their later albums.
Better than expected
Good but not the best new order lp
Before starting this project had never listened to a full record by the Jam, knew their big hits but that's it, 78 albums into this project and this is the second record by them that I've gotten and have loved both. Production on this record is great, guitar, drums and bass all brilliant. Weller is a fantastic front man and songwriter. An album strong from start to finish with no filler
Quite enjoyable this is somewhere between punk and new wave
I like Paul Weller in all his forms. This may be the most sophisticated sounding punk record ever. Sweet sounding but pretty pissed off.
Never heard of The Jam until now. All Mod Cons is one hell of a bop. Not a lousy track on the album, can’t wait to hear more from them.
J'avais jamais entendu parlé de ce band avant mais semblerait que ce soit un autre très important dans la scène punk. Je peux comprendre pourquoi parce que cet album est définitivement bien fait et parmi les meilleurs similaires que j'ai entendu dans cette liste. Je ne dirais pas que c'était un album parfait, mais ça vaudrait la peine de réécouter. 7.5/10
I really enjoyed jamming to this this afternoon, hehe. I know a couple of songs by The Jam, but this album was all new for me. I love a new wave/power pop moment. The Kinks cover was great as well.
Ik ben ergens wel bekend met de (soort) muziek van The Jam, maar moet toegeven dat ik niet zo snel heel veel nummers op kan noemen. Gelukkig hoeft dat ook niet, want veel nummers zitten wel aardig in dezelfde hoek. Althans op dit album. Ik vraag me af hoeveel ze hebben gevarieerd in hun korte bestaansperiode. Als je 6 albums uitpoept van 77 tot 82, dan zal daar ook weer niet bijster veel ontwikkeling in zitten normaal gesproken. The Jam is blijkbaar Mod Revival muziek, wat volgens wiki omschreven wordt als "The Mod Revival started with disillusionment with the punk scene when commercialism set in.". En het zit qua tijdsperiode een beetje tussen punk en postpunk in. Dan vind ik het wel grappig, dat deze muziek veel toegankelijker, radiovriendelijker en dus commercieler is dan de punk en de postpunk. Beetje rare omschrijving van de stijl dan. Het positieve eraan, is dat ik altijd aangeef bij punk en postpunk dat het zo'n ongeorganiseerde bende is en zo arelaxed om te luisteren, door slechte zang, slechte instrumenten of slechte opnamekwaliteit. En nog vaker: dat allemaal tegelijk. En dat is bij dit album dus niet het geval. Het klinkt goed, Paul Weller kan prima zingen, liedjes zitten lekker in elkaar. Cleane opname. Helemaal prima dus. Muzikaal is het prettig om te luisteren. Het gaat van beatcovers van the Kinks tot aan bijna americana van de eerste platen van REM. Er zitten weinig echt ruwe randjes aan, en dat bedoel ik in dit geval in de positieve zin. Fijn album, fijne 4 sterren waard.
This was good, I think I'd listen to it again.
Admittedly I don't know much about mod culture or its revival, but I know this is a good album. A nice blend of blistering speed, relaxed complexity, and ranging emotional lyrics. I definitely felt like the B side was noticeably weaker, but an all around solid rocking listen. Top tracks: Mr. Clean, English Rose, Down In The Tube Station At Midnight
Minus English Rose this is a banger.
fantastic album, hits like in the crowd and all mon cons were some of my favorites, definitely needs another listen!! 4/5 album with potential to be 4.5/5.
One of my personal favorites. Glad to see it on the list!
I hadn't heard this record before -- just some of the singles -- but it fits very well into the idiom of what was going on in the UK at the time it was released. Fun, energetic, power pop, essentially.
Great album. Like it very much!
David Watts English Rose Down in the Tube Station at Midnight
I've always found The Jam a bit annoying, but I enjoyed this. There are none of the overplayed headline Jam singles, and it reveals a more tender side to the band. Absolutely understand how they inspired Oasis now. Not sure what David Watts or Billy Hunt would make of it though.
Great bass from Bruce Foxton, and I like the Kinksian social commentary.
As a greatest hits sort of a band, The Jam are top tier for me. But this album doesn't quite reach that same level. Enjoyable, and it gets 4*, but only just.
Somehow, don't think i'd heard of them before. The sound hasn't really dated at all, and it's a good listen
7/10. Enjoyable. Nothing super unique though.
Hyväntuulista ja kova tempoista rokkia. Hyvää energiaa saa tästä kyllä. Vähän punkahtavaa myös. Parhaat: It's Too Bad, English Rose, Fly
Fun, but nothing jumped out at me
After two promising early albums and a support slot for the Clash in 1977, here erupts the storied career of the “Modfather”, Woking’s very own Paul Weller. Together with bassist Bruce Foxton and drummer Rick Buckler, he was much lauded throughout the late 1970’s and early ‘80s with The Jam. Despite the constant praise, the band had mostly evaded me: I’d only heard this album once before it popped up here. “All Mod Cons” is an interesting mid-point between different generations of British music: while I’ve always lumped The Jam in with the punk explosion of 1977-78, on this album they borrow much more liberally from 60’s music than I’d expected. They wear their influences on their sleeves rather than snottily claiming to want nothing to do with them (looking at you, Mr. Lydon). As well as the straight up cover of Kinks classic “David Watts”, which is treated to a sharp-edged uptempo rendition, we hear the Beatles in “To Be Someone” (“Taxman” bassline in the verses) and “It’s Too Bad” (“She Loves You” guitar refrain). The early roots of The Who are here too in Weller’s splashy and slashy guitar tones, and more Ray Davies creeping into the character studies like “Mr. Clean” and the excellent “Billy Hunt”. So as much as The Jam may have been associated with tight and brittle punk, for me it’s the band’s melodic side which allows them to shine the brightest. In addition to the aforementioned tracks, the coda of “Fly” is delightful, and the ballad “English Rose” is a bit hackneyed, but still a nice change of pace and forever legitimising the band to all delicate listeners who don’t understand punk (exhibit A: my mother). Then, of course, there’s “Down in the Tube Station at Midnight”, one of the band’s biggest hits and a punchy, powerful way to end the album (false fade-out included). Overall, “All Mod Cons” is snappy and smart with a winning pace. After a brisk and taut one-minute opener, it takes a couple of songs to get going but then settles into a really good groove after the lovely palate-cleanser of “English Rose”. Even the relatively indulgent “In the Crowd”, with its reversed guitar and washed-out feedback, is a fitting centrepiece and good indication of Weller’s further experimentation to come. It’s no surprise he would later outgrow the Jam and continue a long career, relentlessly looking back through musical history to move forward.
Lekkere vroege punkrock. Veel leuke nummers
The Good: In your face, without getting intrusive! The Bad: needs more cowbell… The Ugly: that cover picture of the album does NOT invite a loving glance… In comparison to confreres of theirs in the musical stratosphere of bands from the ‘70s that start with “The” and adhere to a 1-2-1-2-3-4-bang principle, this was actually very enjoyable experience. I can hear a little Elvis Costello, I hear a little later New-Wave, there’s much appreciate sense of rhythm and musicality that goes past 3 chords… Overall The Jam have won an extra star for making me enjoy a psuedo punk album! Hurray!!! 4*
Started off a little bit weak/generic imo but got a lot better as it went on. Jumped from a 3 to a 4
Album 567 of 1001 The Jam - All Mod Cons (1978) Rating : 4 / 5 Some quintessential British Pop. Sounds like it would have come later than 1978. Good stuff. Brought to mind bands like Supergrass and the Buzzcocks. A pleasant surprise to start the day.
This sounds like the happier side of the post-punk/glam rock/soft rock style. The nonsense lyrics make individual songs less memorable but contribute really well to the atmosphere.
Love The Jam, never listened to one of their albums from front to back so this was a treat. Some pretty tasty British pop punk jams in here and some interesting compositions. I do still like Style Council more but this is still some great music. 8/10
Liked ever more the second time! 4.5
Prepunk
I don't listen to enough of The Jam. Still sounds great
# Album Name: All Mod Cons # Artist: The Jam # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Mr Clean is a decent tune that ive never heard from the Jam before. I like it. David Watts. Need i say more? Classic tune. Love the "ba ba ba ba ba ba baaaaaa". The pace and guitar on this is great. The piano really brings the melody out. English rose. Love this tune. Its slow, simple and beautiful. Its just a gem of a track. Down in the tube station at midnight is an absolute banger. Love this tune. Coming in at 38 mins its a good length for the style of music. # Top Tunes: Mr Clean / A' Bomb in Wardour Street / Davie Watts / English rose / Down in the tube station # Would I listen to it again? Yes, i would.
Solid album throughout Standout songs: All Mod cons Mr Clean In The Crowd
The first and last song are the best, really great. Rest was ok.
Rating: 7.5/10 A fun combination of rock, punk, and pop. Great performances and production, seems to be quite influential for the time but prefer other albums of this genre/era. Favorite song: Mr. Clean. Worst song: Fly.
One's a Weller fan and so digs this in most unsurprising fashion. Remastering improved the layering and textures and overall sound by more than a shout. There are multiple very strong cuts – "Mr Clean", "In the Crowd," "Fly," "A Bomb in Wardour Street," "Down In the Tube Station," and, to a lesser degree, "English Rose" which works, if a bit cringily. Collectively, this points to the excellent and more varied work Weller would go on to do in the future.
Good stuff. I like it when a band with an established, defined fan base plays with their sound, maybe opening up new genres to their fans…
oh this is goooooddd
A nice surprise, I knew a song from the too David Watts is a cool song ahah
Probably more of a 3.5 but I’ll round up. Had never even heard of them before this. This is the rare album that I like more in its entirety than I do at the individual song level. Pretty cool sound and I’m a sucker for high energy, fun loving rock. Highlights for me are English Rose and down in the tube at midnight, but a lot of the other songs are pleasant but unmemorable. Reminds me of one my favorite albums ever, my aim is true by Elvis Costello. Though not at the same level musically or lyrically, has the same snarl to it.
Albumi #46, 12.09.2024 The Jamin kolmas studioalbumi on mod revivalia/new wavea parhaimmillaan. Levy on melko tasaisen laadukas. Menee cd-levyhyllyyn hankittavien listalle.
I sort of like the honesty and the bare faced cheek of very faithfully covering David Watts, The Kinks song that The Jam so obviously cop their signature sound from. "We are very good at being The Kinks with the anger nearer the surface.' There is more to them than that on this album. I'm a sucker for backwards guitar as on In The Crowd. A star off for Weller recently being so rude about Robert Smith.
I love The Jam, there’s just something so perfectly wry yet cheeky about them. The music is the exact right style for my ears, and the lyricism always intriguing. I think what I love most though are the vocals. They are so unmistakably Bri-ISH I just love it. I don’t care for this one as much as Sound Effects, but it’s still a great listen.
I enjoyed this quite a bit and listened to it twice. Favorite tracks were David Watts, English Rose, In the Crowd, and Fly.
Have always liked this group and then Paul Weller’s project/group after that, Style Council. Catchy songs, good energy — this works for me.
So, this is what the revival of rock in the 2000s should sound like. Now I got it. 🙃 In my heart, I'm still a teenage rock fan, so it's almost impossible to me not to like it
what a classic jam album. “english rose” is one of my all time favourite songs, with its tranquil, shy persona outstanding from the rest of the jam’s back catalogue. some other notable tracks to mention are “mr clean”, “david watts” and “down in the tube station at midnight”, 3 examples of classic jam and prime weller. not much else to say, except that i will be coming back to this album again and again.
cool early punk
I liked this one, should listen again though
Not that memorable for me but it was pretty good
Paul Weller is somehow the midpoint between Alex Chilton (the man) and Alex Chilton (the song). I can't explain it either, but it's correct, and it's good.
reminded me of the clash, 3.5 rounded up
Pretty good. Takes me back to when I listened to stuff like this almost exclusively in high school. It never really stuck with me but whenever I hear it again, it makes me feel young, in love, and heartbroken. Good stuff.
Love this with the 1001. This is not something I have listened to, and would never look up myself. Lovely! What's up with the ping pong noises on David Watts?
enjoyed this a lot more than “sound affects”. would definitely pick this up on vinyl
Sharp social commentary and catchy pop melodies like in “Mr Clean”. Tracks like "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight" are a treat. Has a punk energy in the guitar and drums and new wave lyrics. Guess mod is now school. It's a standout album.
That’s entertainment
- british punk. entertained by the ‘they could never have a hit in America, as they were thoroughly and defiantly British’ in the spotify bio - quite liked it as an album. I find sometimes I’m too much of a baby for punk, but this is very poppy punk and i quite enjoyed that. - superb ending to it - we’re down in the tube station at midnight! - 4/5, liked and am adding to library.
Raw Brit Punk. It's not too hard, punk. Enjoyable.
Kick out the jams
British people making good punk rock. <br/> <b>worst tracks:</b> David Watts, English Rose
This was surprisingly pretty solid - never heard of these guys before. Decent songs and good sound. 7/10.
In the history of rock music, The Jam are criminally underplayed and underrated, particularly in the US. Maybe I’d feel differently if they got any airplay on US classic rock stations, but I can’t say I ever heard The Jam until I was well into college, and when I discovered them I fell in love almost immediately. They’re the perfect blend of rock, punk, ska, and new wave that defined the transition from 70s to 80s rock and even set the stage for late 80s into 90s rock. They drew from 60s mod which later got bigger again with Britpop. This is my favorite album by The Jam, although all of them are close. “Down in the Tube Station at Midnight” and “David Watts” are where they’re at their punkiest, but they can get softer on tracks like “English Rose”. Not a bad track in the bunch.
Had never heard of The Jam before. I ended up loving them! A sort of punk band with good lyrics and melodies. I became a fan. 4.5/5
Not my favourite Jam album.
Actually really liked this to my surprise. Can see where the libertines get some of their sound from. Couple of dudes but mostly bangers
En terme de punk rock, ça vole plus haut que la moyenne
Great, great, great. Fun basslines and boppy mod. Weller can't quite manage the slower numbers but it doesn't retract too much.
Enjoyed that. Can't recall if I've heard anything by them before. I think what I enjoyed most was hearing where a lot of later bands took inspiration from. It wasn't a perfect album, but its sound has been taken and expanded by others in different directions elsewhere. Feel like it was an important release, which is said far less frequently than I was expecting on this list. 4* for that reason.
4/5. Sure, clear influence from Kinks and British jam bands (hence the name I guess) but great songwriting and catchy songs nonetheless. Mostly short and tight songs with upbeat instrumentation with some dark lyrics strewn throughout. Great guitar riffs is a highlight here as well as well bassline in the forefront. Best Song: Mr. Clean, English Rose, Down In The Tube Station At Midnight
a pleasant surprise! Thought this one was great.
Cool. 3.5
In the late 70s and early 80s, the Jam were most popular band in British pop music. The made short, melodic, guitar driven pop songs, and were a significant step in that tradition. Their sound impacted the 80s and 90s bands in that genre. All Mod Cons is the band's third album, and was the album that propelled the band to popular success.
7 / 10 Mezcla de Soft-Punk con Rock. Bastante escuchables.
A great discovery, Will listen IT again for sure ! What a Marvelous band
Really good
Stellar Album
It's a sound that's unique to 80s British rock. Clash, English Beat, etc. Really good, but lacking the blockbusters you would expect.
I dig it, used to listening to Snap! I'll have to add this to the rotation
All Mod Cons - 4 To Be Someone (Didn’t Have A Nice Time) – 4 Mr. Clean – 3 David Watts – 3.5 English Rose – 5 In The Crowd – 3.5 Billy Hunt – 3 It’s Too Bad – 4 Fly – 3.5 The Place I Love – 4 ‘A’ Bomb in Wardour Street – 4 Down In the Tube Station at Midnight – 4.5 Average - 3.83 Love it 👍
Reality god album. I recognize a few songs.
Fun album, definitely hear how the police drew inspiration from them
Really good album from a really good band.
4.5. very good
Upbeat, fun, rock album. Sounded a lot more modern than 1978. 3.75 stars
Great album. A distinct sounding band with short, sharp action. I'm not sure what that communicates exactly, but it makes sense to me.
3.65
I love me a good surprise jam, and The Jam bring the jam.
Pop rock with feeling A la the Kinks and the Who Garage feel with grit
I had a friend, now deceased, who spent a year studying abroad in Scotland during college around 1979. During that time, he picked up basically all of his musical interests -- which honestly became frozen in time. All of his favorite bands and performers were from that era. One of those bands was The Jam. I first heard the album when I was visiting him in San Francisco -- and I didn't get it at all. Fast forward a bunch of years -- I haven't listened to this since then and only had fleeting memories of Down in The Tube Station at Midnight. You know what? This is a damned fine album -- and it clearly bridged the punk and new wave eras. You can hear the Jam in just about every other rock band popular in the 80's...regardless of specific genre. Unexpected bangers: Billy Hunt, English Rose, A Bomb in Wardour Street
I enjoyed it as background while I was working. I wouldn't pick it on a regular basis though.
Paul Weller #3 I forgot how good the Jam were! I've listened to well over 500 albums since Sound Affects, so I'm not really in a position to say whether this or that is the superior Jam. Fun, punchy, doesn't overstay its welcome. HL: “Down in the Tube Station at Midnight”, “English Rose”, "In the Crowd", “It’s Too Bad”
really good! havent listened to the artist a lot before, but really like it. hard to study to, but great music overall
Im not a big punk guy (others may disagree) but I found this album really enjoyable! Good guitar riffs and enough variation in style to keep things interesting! The jam’s admiration for the who definitely shines through
The Jam offers upbeat punk and fledgling shoegaze with their effects-laden guitar, tight vocal harmonies, and active bright bass. The majority of the album is high energy distorted rock, but is punctuated by a few experimental elements, such as recordings of a city transit train or passenger ship, to surprisingly good affect. The real surprise for me, however, were the tracks when The Jam went acoustic, singing simple yet hauntingly beautiful melodies. My first album with these English rockers, and I was impressed. Stand out tracks include “To Be Someone (Didn’t We Have A Nice Time)”, “Mr. Clean”, “English Rose”, “In The Crowd”, “Fly” and “Down In The Tube Station At Midnight”
I was Jamming to it, good stuff.
Favourite song - English rose
Although I am getting slightly tired of the oversaturation of British acts, there's no denying the quality of The Jam. 'Down in the Tube Station at Midnight' is on hell of a closer!
I was getting really tired with the britishness of this list. Luckily The Jam really managed to pull me out of that hole. It’s still really British, don’t get me wrong. It’s just also quite fresh.
4.0
Nice
Quality group. Great album.
This feels like The clash before the clash. Great proto punk rockers.
There are some bangers on this one. There isn’t really a track I’d consider bad, at the very worst it’s just meh. The pop Rock is catchy and enjoyable as well, sounds amazing as well. Sounds like it was made four years after its release! I could recommend this to somebody. Cool!
Pretty good. Not as good as Sound Affects.
Good suprising
Amongst the first LPs I bought; it still holds up after 45 years. Pity the same thing can't be said for Paul Weller...
A lot of this reminds me of some of the indie rock I would hear in the later 90s and early 00s. I really enjoyed what I was hearing and loved the minor variations in styles. Favorites were David Watts and Down In The Tube Station At Midnight
Power pop beauties
good
First song amazing drums Mr clean is great English rose???!!!! In the crowd bass = best thing ever Fly chorus so catchy A bomb in Wardour street instrumental seems to be from a Mamonas Assassinas song What is that closer
This album is interesting as it reaches back as much as it moves forward. Very strong 60's feel to it. David Watts sounds a bit like a modern version of the Kinks, In the Crowd sounds a bit like it would fit in Revolver era Beatles music. Early Pete Townsend and Who are also in the mix. The album bridges Power Pop and Punk. Favorite songs: David Watts, English Rose, In the Crowd, Down in the Station.
This album checks all of my new wave/70s pop punk, with heavy influences from the Who and the Kinks, following in the tradition of critiquing British society and class issues of the time. Nick is right, some proto-Smith vibes in here too. Fav tracks: To Be Someone (Didn't We Have A Nice Time?), English Rose, Down In The Tube Station At Midnight, In the Crowd
The Jam feel like a bit of a missing link between the British Invasion and Britpop, while also supplying some angular punk energy that would be so successfully carried forward by mainstream (The Police) and indie (The Smiths) bands alike into the 1980s. Excellent Kinks cover in the mix! I also love the way the \"It's Too Bad\" pre-chorus interpolates \"She Loves You.\" \"Down in the Tube Station at Midnight\" sounds like a lost Clash track, in the best possible way. The record feels referential, but also fresh, vibrant, and original. Favourite tracks: Down in the Tube Station at Midnight, English Rose, David Watts, In The Crowd
Very enjoyable. Reminds me of The Clash in a good way. Favorite song is Down In The Tube Station At Midnight.
Very interesting bass guitar and piano parts. Vocal is pretty good for punk. Sound similar Clash but sometimes it’s more interesting. The calm songs on this album are masterpieces. I think that’s strong 4
The Jam are my favorite band from the 70’s English punk/new wave era. I much preferred them over the Clash, the Sex Pistols or the Damned, but they were never really appreciated here in the USA. That said, this is “only” my third favorite album of theirs, behind “Setting Suns” and “Sound Affects”. All in all, a really solid album, with some key songs. Not quite as complete as the subsequent albums, and easy 4 stars, but not quite good enough for 5. 5/5
Never heard this but familiar with Weller. I really liked this album
This is a great little new wave record. Plenty of songs that get to the point quickly and don't overstay their welcome. Would maybe listen to this again if I was really in the mood for it. 7/10
Valid
Paul Weller's project before Style Council... A solid album that checks all my boxes -- post-pu k/new wave, an accessible pop energy, good melodies and songwriting. Down the Tube Station At Midnight and In the Crowd are my favorites. This one's going in my regular rotation.
I can dig it.
You can hear that British rock transition from the 70s to the 80s
The Sixties with a spiky sneer.
white goods
Solid album. Very British smooth 70's punk. If only we had listened to some of their warnings / predictions that are still true today.
This is definitely a fun album to listen to. Basslines are funky and defined. The last song was really good with an intriguing storyline. Not bad.
Tried my best for my normal 3.... but this album just fought back at every turn. No skips here and a ton of the best Modrevival you're gonna here
Awesome, just awesome! Bloody love a bit of Weller, and this is no exception!
Enjoyed checking this out but I'm blown away by anything in particular.
Nice! Ahead of its time,
Pretty nice new wave kinda stuff, I could come back to this.
I really enjoyed this album. Very British pop
A great slice of mod. Whilst it doesn't have the singles of some of their other albums, it's solid from start to finish and bristling with energy.
Didn't think I was keen on Paul Weller solo material, so was expecting not to enjoy this, but it was super.
Solid Album. Probably a bit influence on bands like The Strokes.
6 maybe 7 really good songs but no absolute bangers
Great one. New wave and punk, combined with brit pop. Never heard of this band before this.
5/12, 42%
Cool british post punk. Love the sound of this vocalist and the guitar tones.
fun British punk rock
Track 1 - P Good Track 2 - Good Track 3 - Ok Track 4 - P Good Tracl 5 - V Good Track 6 - Good Track 7 - Good Track 8 - Good Track 9 - P Good Track 10 - V Good Track 11 - V Good Track 11 - Excellent
Liked it. Would listen again
3.5
Snazzy, nice little jams. The name is appropriate. This would be fun to listen to on a road trip. I like it.
The Jam at the peak of their punky powers before they went all soft and jazzy 😂. “David Watts” = freaking great tune!
Talking heads esq!
Every song is good.
Favourite tracks: all mod cons; Mr clean; English rose; down in the tube station at midnight
Before I spin this, can we talk about the album cover for a second? I mean, WTF? It's up there (down there?) with The Teardrop Explodes' Kilaminjaro cover in the "let's make the band look as awful as possible" category. Terrible lighting, awkward composition, the most boring room in history. Who the hell came up with this? It leads me to wonder... how terrible is the music within? Let's find out. Well, the music is a WHOLE lot better than the cover. I heard familiar elements reminiscent of Joe Jackson, The Who, Tom Petty (there's a song he released the same year as this called "When The Time Comes" that sounds just like a line in the first track here)... and more. So yeah, this was really good. I know I heard some of The Jam back in the day, but somehow they passed me by completely. This was solid from front to back — short snappy tunes, chock-full of melodies and hooks and a sense of freedom and fun that's hard not to like. I've been dishing out a lot of 5s lately, and this was nudging up that mark, but it was maybe a little loose in spots — or maybe I'm being stingy. Dunno, but another I'll put into rotation to dig more deeply into.
I've always had a thing for Paul Weller's voice and this early raw sound especially. This gets four stars for the nostalgia it evokes but also it was the beginning of something in British pop.
Rythm, guitars and vocals seem to be just right. Definitely not masterpiece but I guess enought for 4
That's my Jam! Elska þessa nýbylgju. Alltof margt fólk hér á Íslandi sem veit ekki einu sinni af þessari hljómsveit.
All Mod Cons by The Jam is a pivotal album that solidifies the band's status as one of the key figures in the British punk and mod revival movement. Released in 1978, it showcases The Jam's evolving sound, blending punk energy with melodic hooks and insightful lyrics. Tracks like "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight" and "A Bomb in Wardour Street" encapsulate the band's social commentary and frustration with the state of society. The album's production is tight and polished, highlighting the band's tight musicianship. While some tracks may not reach the same heights as the standouts, All Mod Cons remains a significant release that captures the spirit of the era and stands as a testament to The Jam's enduring influence.
I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as Sound Affects, but I still added it to my library and will definitely listen again!
It was okay - 70's British rock. I'd listen to it again if someone wanted to, but I'm not going out of my way to listen to it again
I don't think I knew any songs by The Jam going in. It reminds me most of the Clash and Elvis Costello. Not amazing, but a solid album with catchy songs, none of them bad, really. Favorite track: David Watts
Decided to listen to this one purely off of the band name. Opening riff sounds punk inspired, but the production is crisper and a bit more glam. Love the bass tone and the harmonization -- solid title track. To Be Someone is a head nodder. Shiny guitars (call to The Police) with some thick bass lines. Mr. Clean keeps things rolling along nicely. David Watts actually reminds me of a Sufian Stevens song mixed with Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads. English Rose switches pace for a more tender song. Actually its quite pretty. In The Crowd is fine enough. Really I'm just hanging onto the bass through this one. Song starts to devolve into something that sounds like a Hendrix outro -- not hating it. Kind of let this drift into the background, but I enjoyed what I heard for the rest of the album. The last two songs were both really strong; especially the bass work on Down in the Tube Station. I had never heard of these guys before today and will now be diving deeper into their collection. This is a great album start to finish. Lacks a certain magic that would be needed to push it to a 5 for me, but they wrote good songs and demonstrate broad range. 4 / 5
Somewhere halfway between The Who and The Beatles. Solid album and a new band discovered, would definitely like to explore The Jam's discography some more.
A very pleasing fusion of pop and post-punk. Think a blend of The Clash and Elvis Costello with a healthy dose of Gang of Four mixed in.
An essential album for all fans of The Jam. For everyone else, the stakes are rather low-key during the first two very similar-sounding tracks. But Paul Weller and co. nicely build up things from there: "Mr. Clean" is an effective pop-punk cut, "David Watts" is a lively cover of a Kinks classic, and "English Rose" is a elegiac, starry-eyed love song whose delicate acoustic guitar and hushed vocals give you the feeling you're lying in the grass at night, watching the milky way next to your better half. And "In The Crowd" is convincing as well, especially its surprisingly psychedelic guitar solo at the end. This record is the one in which The Jam broadened their palette, and as it can be heard on its first side, it was mostly for good effects at the time (or good "sound affects", I might say). The first part of side two is less impressive, though. "Billy Hunt" returns to more expected punk-rock territories, but feels rather functional after all the adventures on side one. And "It's Too Bad" and "Fly" are naive pop numbers that are a little bland, even though the guitar hooks in the latter are good. Peaks are to be seen again after that short valley, fortunately. "The Place I Love" and "A-Bomb On Wardour Street" are punky cuts that fare slightly better than the ones before. And "Down In The Tube Station At Midnight" is a closer that fares exceptionally well, thanks to its enticing background vocals and lush guitar needlework during its conclusion (is that a synth that I hear as well there?) *Setting Sons* and *Sound Affects*, the LPs that will follow that one, are pretty good albums as well, by the way--even if the latter is where Paul Weller's blue-eyed soul phase started, with increasingly patchy results as his career went on. But I guess that's a story for other times, kiddies. Number of albums left to review: 527 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 227 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 109 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 138
For some reason I wanted to dislike this album, but I just can't do it at all. Very fun record. Favorite track: Billy Hunt
What a wonderful find. I shouldn't be surprised by my love for this considering how often I still listen to The Style Council. I'll marinate on this and revisit it often with the aforementioned Style Council vibes, not to mention The Clash and The Kinks influences. It sounds new and fresh.
Quite the jam
This is good, I think. It's a very disciplined, light-touched riff-y thing, but there's also a heaviness to it that keeps it from being a trifle or an easy thing to disregard. Not the best Jam album, maybe, but I think it's OK.
Great punk album filled with some nice acoustic cuts as well
Cool. Maybe too cool for me.
Good solid new wave record.
To Be Someone David Watts - goes hard Love that og punk from 60s/70s loved piano riffs English Rose is lovely.
Yes! A lot of energy here, and in a cool way. Great stuff!
If you like British Rock you will dig it. I think the instrumentals sneak under the radar on this album. They are great, but simple.
Might listen again
First time listening to this album in full. It’s a great mod revival album with a mix of punk and pub rock. Standouts: English Rose, In the Crowd, Fly, and Down in the Tube Station at Midnight.
Love this band. Didn’t own this album but I remember a lot of the songs. Really think The Jam is a too-often overlooked and consistently underrated band. Nice to see them get some love from this list.
Interesting vibe on this band, sort of Punk Refined, which I suppose raises question about whether punk-ness really survives refining, but these philosophical considerations fail to keep me up at night, it's just good rock and roll.
Sounds like that Colin guy. Nice listening
ALL KEV CONS Another punk album. How broad of an umbrella is punk? Another 1001 Albums cross over with David Watts! I really enjoyed this album. It has almost beach rock feel to it; great for a sunny 70 degree day. I would definitely listen to this album again or other works from The Jam.
A good solid album by The Jam: no complaints here!
At work when someone would announce we got a new client / contract / other good news, I would say: "Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba" Once, and only once, someone responded: "Hey - that's David Watts". Nobody else ever knew it or admitted to knowing it. This is a good early Jam punk album.
Álbum solido
Excellent
Neat.
Parquet Courts clearly were influenced by these guys
Sounds like The Jam.
Made me want to grow a mullet and start hanging out with the punks of Camden. Raw and artistic and there was no filler. David Watts into English Rose was something else.
I haven't given this album the full attention it deserves in my humble opinion. I've spun it twice, lost track a bit. But what I heard was really enjoyable, well written, and the britpoppunk from The Jam is excellent. Will revisit.
So so
Oye, este disco fue una sorpresa. De The Jam sé muy poco, pero este disco ha probado ser una excelente puerta de entrada al resto de su discografía. Al ojo, repasando el listado de canciones a la rápida, puedo leer que no reconozco ninguna, pero en la medida que avanzan sé que el sonido me es familiar. Es curioso como funcionan las influencias entre grupos musicales y cómo, más tarde que temprano, por cierto, me doy cuenta de dónde parten y dónde terminan.
First listen
Well the cover photo certainly tempers expectations. Yeesh. The title track gets to rocking and rolling right away. And it carries on energetically from there. I enjoyed the entire album quite a bit and listened to it more than once. I'm sure there is some specific genre this music falls into but it's all rock and roll to me.
Listens: 3 Enjoyed: yeah Never really listened to The Jam but have always intended to. There's some excellent tracks here. David Watts and English Rose really stood out for me. Can't wait to delve it further to these
Great collection of songs
The Jam and their album All Mod Cons were new to me. I enjoyed listening to the album. The Jam sounded like they could fit in with a group that included Elvis Costello, The Squeeze, The Kinks or The Clash. "In the Crowd" and "'A' Bomb in Wardour Street" were the individual tracks that I got my highest ratings for the album. I'd be interested in hearing more from The Jam.
Some britpop roots. Fine.
Alright, I am officially a fan of The Jam. I fully admit they are not the greatest or most talented band of all time, but I feel like they deliver a consistent, solid performance every time. A perfect sort of A-/B+ kind of band. Maybe it's the mix of approaches that appeals to me - a lot like Canadian rock I grew up with (check out the Northern Pikes, Tragically Hip, The Trews) that has some varied roots to it and a sound you can't quite place (and wouldn't find at the top of the American charts), but it has depth. Very solid lyrics and social commentary too. First third was better than the middle third - the album really drew me in with the title track, To Be Someone (my favorite), and Mr. Clean. Solid remake of David Watts too. Definitely took a dip with English Rose but I felt it started to bounce back nicely with Billy Hunt and It's Too Bad, and then finished with a bang - "A" Bomb in Wardour Street is a real cracker (to steal some British lingo).
liked it alot kinda ahead of their time werent they?
Svängigt! Klassiskt! Bra!
Superb catchy Power Pop record with amazing basslines, melodies and vibe. Most songs stick and the production is slick. The ballads are pretty and incredibly english. Great listen. 8,5/10
I gave it some time, it's growing on me.
This was pretty great. I liked it a little better than "Sound Affects" or the Paul Weller solo album we listened to. Would definitely go back to The Jam after this.
Stand-outs: "To Be Someone...," "English Rose," "It's Too Bad"
крутая обложка, вроде приятненький небольшой альбомчик
I had listened to this before, however its the only album by The Jam I've listened to in full. I enjoy it and think the songwriting is very solid, it's not one I listen to very often though.
If The Police were good
Cool album, upbeat and fairly interesting. Definitely ahead of their time, and appeals to alternative/indie/punk fans.
Slumped my shoulders when I got this album. The other one was mediocre at best and I wasn't looking forward to the struggle. This was way better. I listened to it twice to be sure, and yep - still fun. Best track: To Be Someone (Didn't We Have A Nice Time)
Just some all round great punk-rock. A British classic! Favourite: Down In The Tube Station At Midnight
- First listen - Liked it slightly less than Sound Affects but still very good - Down in the Tube Station at Midnight is the best track on this by miles and is up there with Town Called Malice and That's Entertainment for best Jam song - Fav songs: DOWN IN THE TUBE STATION AT MIDNIGHT, TO BE SOMEONE, ENGLISH ROSE
good album and vibes
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Sorry for not writing much (idk who im saying sorry to) I'm writing this like twelve hours after I listened to it :/ I REMEMBER THE LAST TRACK BEING VERY GOOD THOUGH
Assured
Good British rock n roll, would listen again. English rose my favourite song
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: To be someone, Billy hunt
I very much enjoy this band & album
Not my favourite album by The Jam. But still a pretty damned good album.
Not necessarily the Jam but definitely a decent jam
Really cool album. I thought the guitar work in particular was really cool.
Liked this quite a bit and want to hear more from them. Feels like a softer more laid back punk. Favorite: David Watts
It's the Jam.. It's going to be good. Though this one is not one of favorites, I like Sound Effects and the Gift a bit more. The problem is when I listen to this album I think as good as this the Clash perfected this sound so much better.
Enjoyed listening to it all the way through.
Really liked this album and look forward to listening to it again.
Classic
-"To Be Someone (Didn't We Have a Nice Time)" has a nice strong, catchy chorus that was giving me Cheap Trick vibes -They like writing songs with people's names, like "Mr. Clean," "David Watts," and "Billy Hunt" -"Billy Hunt" is quite catchy, probably because they say "Billy Hunt" about 1000 times. Also the end jame with the drums going is fun -Bass-groovy bridge in "It's Too Bad" is fun -"'A' Bomb in Wardour Street" has some nice distorted guitar and is a nice jam -"Down In A Tube Station At Midnight" is giving me punk vibes and it also has some sweet bass riffs backed up by flying high hats -Overall very nice rock album. A bunch of short, strong tracks