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The Jam - Sound Affects (CD)

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5 out of 5.0 stars 2 Ratings (2 Reviews)

Album Details: Sound Affects

Release Date:11/28/1980
Label:Universal Japan
UPC:4988005258656

Other Available Formats: Sound Affects

User Reviews: Sound Affects

  • Overall:

    Don't Have Much To Say

    By Paul  May 17, 2002

    I don't have much to say about Sound Affects except that it is brilliant record, and there is no good reason why this isn't available in the States. Shell out the extra dollars for the import because it is without a doubt worth every penny. "Start" s...ounds disturbingly similar to the Beatles' "Taxman," but otherwise this album is without flaw. And "That's Entertainment" is one of the greatest songs to come out of any decade. Read more Less

  • Overall:

    Sound Affects - The best of the 80's

    By Jay  Jul 24, 2000

    While The Jam never made the crossover to US or Canada that they richly deserved to have, the music that they produced in there seven year recording career is well worth re-examining.The driving rhythm section of Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler provid...ed the solid backbone of a tight R&B trio and make the band reminiscent of the Who. But the creative foundation belonged to that of Paul Weller. While all of the Jam's albums display different aspects of his amazing song-writing abilities, Sound Affects is perhaps his best. The stripped down, trebly, atonal, post-punk sound of the album makes it the best of the uninspired decade that was to be known as the eighties. The melodies of sixties bands like the small faces, the kinks and the beatles are combined with Weller's clear and conscise social observations of a decaying Britain in the late seventies and early eighties. Sound Affects is a barometer of that era. It is also a look at the state youth and the socialist left as they were about to face the massive changes of Thatcherism which would rock British society.Songs like "Pretty Green", "Set the House Ablaze", and "Scraping Away" are harsh inditements of a materialistic society gone mad. But even if you don't share the political sentiements, they are still are great rockers."Monday" and "But I'm Different Now" are love songs which share a lyrical theme but are both very different melodically."Monday" is what could be described as psychedelic punk, with shimmering guitars and loud bass. It's very similar to the style of melody that Weller used on "Tales From the Riverbank". "But I'm Different Know" lifts part of a riff from The Beatles "Dr Robert" and is a plain and gutsy rock number."Dream Time" and the group compostion "Music for the last couple" fit into the psychedelic punk theme of a song like "Monday". The lyrics are minimalist but behind the band are all sorts of special sound effects. The songs are slightly odd but fascinating none the less."Boy About Town" is a anthem that sends the Jam back to there early mod obsessions. It is a rock number and one of Wellers tributes to London. Also, it sports a brass section in the background."Man In the Cornershop" is an attack on the british class system reminiscent of the song "Mr. Clean" on the Jam's third album "All Mod Cons". It is less vitriolic in tone and tries to deal with universal aspects of humanity such as hardship, jealousy and inequality. The subject is universal but Weller is thinking in utterly English terms."Start" was the single taken from the album and was the Jam's second number 1 in Britain. It lifts the bass riff from George Harrison's opener "Taxman" from Revolver (This album was a major influence on the recording of Sound Affects and critics at the time said that it was the Jam's own Revolver!) The song dealt with the theme of social connections and whether the two minute pop single could be used to communicate important political and social ideas.The final song of Sound Affects is the albums masterpiece "That's Entertainment". It remains Weller's most vivid look at British life, and the hardships of the working class in the country at the time. It is almost too brilliant to describe in words.So my advice is to rush out and buy this album! And if you wish to take some more advice, get it on the re-master series which is a bit more expensive but will provide a very good listen. Read more Less

Pro Reviews: Sound Affects

  • All Music Guide

    Unhappy with the slicker approach of Setting Sons, the Jam got back to basics, using the direct, economic playing of All Mod Cons and "Going Underground," the simply brilliant single which preceded Sound Affects by a few months. Thematically, though, Weller explored a more indirect path, leaving behind (for the most part) the storysong narratives in favor of more abstract dealings in spirituality and perception the approach stemming from his recent readings of Blake and Shelley (who was quoted on the sleeve), but more specifically Geoffrey Ash, whose Camelot and the Vision of Albion made a strong impression. Musically, Weller drew upon Revolverera Beatles as a primary source (the bass line on "Start," which comes directly from "Taxman," being the most obvious occurrence), incorporating the occasional odd sound and echoed vocal, which implied psychedelia without succumbing to its excesses. From beginning to end, the songs are pure, clever, infectious pop probably their catchiest with... "That's Entertainment" and the shouldhavebeenasingle "Man in the Corner Shop" standing out. Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide Read more Less

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Biography

The Jam

The Jam were the most popular band to emerge from the initial wave of British punk rock in 1977; along with the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and the Buzzcocks, The Jam had the most impact on pop music. While they could barely get noticed in America, the trio became genuine superstars in Britain, with an impressive string of Top Ten singles in the late '70s and early '80s. Th... Read more