Search - Jam :: Compact Snap

Compact Snap
Jam
Compact Snap
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (21) - Disc #1

Essential compilation of the best of one of Britain's most influential bands of the late 70's / early 80's. 20 tracks. Universal. 1990.

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Jam
Title: Compact Snap
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Polygram UK
Release Date: 8/11/1997
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Styles: Hardcore & Punk, New Wave & Post-Punk
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 042282171221

Synopsis

Album Description
Essential compilation of the best of one of Britain's most influential bands of the late 70's / early 80's. 20 tracks. Universal. 1990.

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CD Reviews

Still the best single-disc Jam compilation available
Kevin O'Conner | 06/28/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here's yet another misunderstood relic from the early days of the CD format that drives many folks into conniptions. What many of today's music buyers don't seem to realize is that CD pressing plants initially could not guarantee that discs longer than 60-65 minutes in length would play properly on all CD players. Combined with the trappings of the industry's own hype (which touted the CD's 74-minute storage capacity), labels tried wherever possible to make sure all albums released on the CD format would fit on a single disc. Thus, Snap! was "re-compiled from the double album and cassette...and omit[ted] eight tracks to make it suitable for a single compact disc." To differentiate it from the complete album and cassette editions, the title was changed to Compact Snap.Compact Snap - which was my proper introduction (apart from the videos for "Absolute beginners", "Start!", and "A town called malice", which MTV used to play in its early days) to the band - is still the best of the single-disc Jam compilations I've encountered. I've never been all that fond of "News of the world" or "Funeral pyre", but the rest of the set is untouchable, hitting many of the band's highlights - among them "In the city", "Going underground", "That's entertainment", "Start!", "A town called malice", and "Beat surrender" - while chronicling the progress of the band from its beginnings in the midst of the punk era to the more overt soul influences of its later records.From the guitar riff that opens "In the city" to the pure joy that is "Beat surrender", Compact Snap reveals The Jam to be easily the most vital band of its era. Whether your preference is for the former, the latter, or somewhere in between, there's no denying the band's energy and passion - two things that no band should be without.Completists should note that the version of "Funeral pyre" included here is a remix, and that the demo version of "That's entertainment" differs from the demo found on the Direction, Reaction, Creation box set."
Too compact
Charles Sikkenga | 05/07/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)

""Snap", in its original LP issue, was perhaps one of the best group compilations ever assembled, encapsulating the Jam's journey from Who-influenced punk to the wonderful admixture of ska and soul that marked their final years. I can mark my changing tastes via the four sides of the record, having been in my youth a Side 1 advocate (that's where all the punk ones were, from "In the City" to "Mr. Clean," if I recall correctly) to now, when i'm a Side 3 and 4 man (roughly "Going Underground" to "Beat Surrender.")Unfortunately, this all-too-compact version of Snap diminishes the sense of having the Jam's entire career to peruse. Too many important songs were axed. Here's what's missing: the great, desperate "Away from the Numbers" and "Billy Hunt", the gorgeous "English Rose" and "Butterfly Collector", "Thick as Thieves"! merely one of their finest songs, as is the deleted "Tales from the Riverbank". Other victims were "Man in the Cornershop" and "Mr. Clean."There's too much great music on this abridged "Snap" for it to be marked down too severely, but it's a shame that is all we now have. With the passing of the LP edition, thus went the only economical way to enjoy the Jam in full-- now you either choose riches (the numbingly extensive [money] five-disc import box set) or famine (this inadequate set, and the other single-disc compilations that all miss the boat in some way).A reissued 2-disc Snap, with all the original tracks restored, plus supplemented if needs be with the few gems left off the original Snap (Boy About Town, etc), would be the best of all worlds-- one day, maybe."
How good is this?
Charles Sikkenga | Grand Haven, MI USA | 04/13/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Jam never made it in America and were completely unknown to me until reviewers started namechecking them in seemingly every third Green Day review circa 1994. Discovering them is a richly rewarding experience and this is probably the best place to do it (although "Greatest Hits" has a very similar track list and is more readily and cheaply availible). The record starts in '77 with the Jam as a razor-sharp, mod-influenced punk band and follows the band as growth and experimentation leaves them in almost neo-soul territory by the time they split in the mid 80s. Along the way, one can revel in Paul Weller's genius songwriting and the band's crisp playing--especially Bruce Foxton's spunky bass.



Even 30 years on, every track virtually explodes with tunefulness and energy. I can think of few bands EVER who are simply this much fun to listen to and whose tunes have stayed so fresh for so long. Essential."