release date: May 20, 1977
format: vinyl (2383 447) / cd
[album rate: 4,5 / 5] [4,28]
producer: Vic Smith and Chris Parry
label: Polydor Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: A) 1. "Art School" (5 / 5) - 2. "I've Changed My Address" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "Slow Down" - 4. "I Got by in Time" - 5. "Away From the Numbers" (4 / 5) - - B) 1. "In the City" (5 / 5) (live) - 2. "Sounds From the Street" (4 / 5) - 3. "Non Stop Dancing" - 4. "Time for Truth" - 5. "Takin' My Love" - 6. "Bricks and Mortar" (4 / 5)
Studio debut album by The Jam released on Polydor Records and produced by Vic Smith [Vic Coppersmith-Heaven] and Chris Parry. Primary songwriter Paul Weller on lead vocals & guitar, Bruce Foxton on bass & additional vocals, and Rick Buckler on drums constitute the blasting trio who was leading the mod revival movement with strong influence from The Kinks, The Who, and Small Faces back in a punk rock disguise. The album contains two covers - "Slow Down" written by Larry Williams and first issued as B-side to his single "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy" in 1958, and (the) "Batman Theme" by Neal Hefti for the 1966 TV-series . This was already covered by The Who in '66 and that version is found on the EP Ready Steady Who (Nov. 1966), which could be the place where The Jam found its inspiration. Pete Townshend (The Who) and many others praised the band as the biggest thing since The Fab Four, and I was hooked from this and onward, although, my first actual listen may have been All Mod Cons (1978).
The band was always in my top 5 of favourite artists from scratch and until Paul Weller left and put an end to the band in 1982.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]
1977 Favourite releases: 1. Ramones Rocket to Russia - 2. The Clash The Clash - 3. The Jam In the City
