1001 Albums Summary

Never listened to a full album by The Jam before (only greatest hits) and it did not disappoint. Very much a coming of age album and craft wise very much where Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were with Damn The Torpedos. English Rose is superb, David Watts also. The best track for me is Down At The Tube Station at Midnight. Weller’s lyrics are outstanding and bassist is so underrated. Always been a massive fan of Weller’s. One of of best artists around, always evolving.

I haven’t listened to this in full for a while. It’s genius at work already despite being a debut. Electric Lady land is more a complex record, this one more commercial. The Wind Cries Mary is a work of art.

Was always a fan of ‘Blue Ridge Mountains’ & ‘White Winter Hymnal’, but so pleased that to have discovered other stand out tracks such as ‘Quiet Houses’, ‘Your Protector’ and my personal favourite ‘He Doesn’t Know Why. A couple of the tracks passed me by but the consistency of the album cannot be denied. Harmonies wise, it’s unbelievably good.

Am I one of few that think this band is a tad overrated? I have delved into their back catalogue in the past and always feel a tad underwhelmed. Really did give this album a chance but I find a lot of their melodies jarring and musicianship in the main is nothing special. I can’t get onboard with Byrne’s voice on this album. I’m sorry , but I can’t. Having said that, I did like ‘Uh-Oh Love Comes To Town’ ‘No Compassion’ & obviously ‘Pyscho Killer’ the latter being aware of before. Some of the tracks to me are awful though- ‘Who Is It’ especially- just a load of bollocks. I really want to like this band- I just don’t based on what I heard so far.

This album kind of passed me by. It’s alright. ‘Maggie May’ is an obvious highlight and ‘(I Know) I’m Losing You’ ask great. Disappointed with the Dylan cover as that’s one of my favourite songs - no where as good as the original and the Elvia cover is a bit lazy. Cannot for the life of me understand why they stuck ‘Amazing Grace’ at the end of one of the songs - awful. It just sounds a bit dated. Does it touch anything the Stones were releasing at the time - Sticky Fingers/Exile - nowhere near.