FDF Volume 3 Issue 290 - The Jam - In the City
Album – In the City
Artist – The JamKey Players – Rick Buckler – drums. Bruce Foxton – bass and vocals. Paul Weller – guitars, vocals
Produced By – Vic Smith, Chris Parry
Release Date – May 20, 1977
What caused me to blow off the dust? -
Their best of collection “Snap!” comes to mind about once a
month. Since I'd rather do a full record vs. a best of, here you go.
Overview – This is the debut album
from London “punk rock” band “The Jam”. The band, who wore
suits on stage rather than torn punk clothes they'd be pivotal to mod
revival. They formed in the early 1970s and would slowly build a
following through their live shows. Their music had the punk feel,
but had many of the 60's pop sensibilities. By 1977 they released
their debut (the album featured here) and would go on to release five
more studio records. They'd garner bigger hits and hit #1 with their
final album. Weller would disband the Jam in 1982
FDF Comments (aka the songs) –
Twelve songs and we are in and out just over 30 minutes. The rowdy
“Art School” kicks it off. Weller has quick sharp guitar notes
but Foxton is walking all over the bass and Buckler gets after his
drum kit. Weller has a quick and pointed delivery with the vocals,
almost chanting to the listener. “I've Changed My Address” keeps
the frantic pace. For as quick as the music is Weller is clear with
his vocals and the music is well mixed, so even though you know its a
fast “punk” feel, it just feels more a like a rock song than a
“punk rock” song. Perhaps its due to Weller singing vs. yelling.
The band tackles a cover of “Slow Down” next. Foxton and Weller
have a particular fuzz on their instruments at the start, but Foxton
then gets a very clean sound on his bass. The walking bassline
really stands out as they take this rock-a-billy feeling song to
task. Buckler rolls across his kit to get “I Got By In Time”
started. The energy of the band is what stands out most to this
point, but also, as noted, the clean sound they have. This continues
in to “Away from the Numbers” which sounds much larger than the
three member band. The ring of Wellers guitar really gets to me as a
listener here and the feel of Bucklers tom tom drums gets you right
in the chest. Here, you can see what the Replacements and Husker Du
would later be copying. The band then does a really fun cover of the
“Batman Theme”. It is what you'd expect. A quick and fun take
on it. One of the bands first “hits” come next (also first song
on side 2 of the vinyl release) with “In The City”. Weller
attacks the guitar riffing before Foxton comes over with the bass.
Buckler wants this song to really take off, so he pushes everyone and
they swell together. As busy as Weller is, the bass line seems to
keep control of the whole track. It is easily one of the songs I'd
tell new fans to the band to check out. “Sounds from the Street”
slows it down some, but musically they are still on the go. Weller
is a little more pulled back on this, but you still can tell its a
Jam tune. Bucker keeps things pretty darn steady as “Non-Stop
Dancing” begins. The bounce is back on this song, with a bit of a
12 bar blues feel and Weller has a little jump in his step. Foxton
seems to walk all over the bass section here keeping it all very
interesting. Weller has one of his longest guitar “solos” on
here, but its hardly a solo, he just chops right through things.
“Time for Truth”is back to the more angsty version of the Jam.
Weller goes after it with the vocals and the band keeps a pretty
solid and steady pace. They haven't broken any new ground here. We
speed it right back up as “Takin' My Love” screams out of the
speakers, this continues to the album closer “Bricks and Mortar”.
They end it all on a high note, and the listener just as exhausted
as the musicians.
Where are they now? - Foxton released
a solo album shortly after the Jam disbanded and also joined “Stiff
Little Fingers” for a time. Buckler formed a band called “Time
UK” after the Jam disbanded, after a few singles he formed a band
called “Sharp” with Foxton. Foxton also formed the band “From
the Jam” later performing music of the Jam. Weller would go on to
form the band Style Council (now disbanded) and works as a solo
artist. There were rumors of a reunion as late as 2010 but it
appears there are still tensions within the band and Weller has been
quoted as saying reunions are “sad”.
FDF Personal Comments (aka the Live
experience) – I never saw the band live. They disbanded, honestly,
before I even knew who they were.
FDF Overall Take – There are some
really solid tunes on this record. One of the things people might
think when they see “punk rock” is screaming, fast guitars and
the like. The guitars (and everything else) is quick most of the
time, but the vocals are more something you can sing along with and
pump your fists. I kept thinking “this is punk rock?” but then
I'd hear something and say “yes, yes this is”
There are six “best of” collections
from the band. The most notable is “Snap!” and that will give
new fans a good gauge of they style of music.
Curious? Check out some MUSIC!
In The City (Live)
Batman Theme
Sounds from the Street
You can still get the disc. Start here
Disclaimer – I am just a music fan.
Feel free to comment about something that may be written incorrectly
about the band/members etc. I strive to have a fun and enjoyable
site. This site used to post mp3s but ran in to many issues. The
audio clips provided are usually from YouTube. No copy write
infringement is intended. Please alert me if something should be
pulled. Finally, support the artist featured, or your favorite
artist by purchasing their music, seeing their shows if possible and
saying hi. They need your support.
posted by March2theSea @ 8:00 AM
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