Search - The Jam :: This Is the Modern World/All Mod Cons

Poignant lyrics, tight songwriting, hard-rocking

James V Graziosi | 05/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many people compare the Jam with the Clash, and there are some parallels. The Clash were probably a little more flamboyant, daring and agressive, while the Jam were probably better musicians, with a bit of a more subtle take on things. Also, whereas the Clash drew on reggae and ska, the Jam drew more on soul and 60's rock. Still, like the Clash, the Jam just wrote so many well-crafted, hard-rocking, touching songs, with intelligent lyrics that covered a wide range of subjects, and without much musical excess. Also, I think the great thing about Paul Weller's lyrics with the Jam is that he really makes you think about the questions he's asking--and he doesn't offer you easy answers or slogans that look cool on a t-shirt. What's the proper balance between maintaining your ideals, and doing what you have to do to live in the real world? That's something everybody has to answer for themselves--the important thing is to think about it. These two albums are both great, with The Modern World perhaps being slightly harder, and this is just a fantastic collection of songs. It's so sad that almost no new bands that are popular today picked up the mantle from bands like the Clash and the Jam. Whereas these bands drew from the best of rock history to form something new,personal and exciting, it seems like most of the rap/rock and boy bands have never heard of the Clash and the Jam, let alone any of their precursors, like 50's rock/rockabilly, The Beatles, Who, Stones, Dylan, Marley, Kinks, etc."

Some people are just too ignorant to be embarrassed

R. Hughes | London UK | 04/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Now I'm pretty sure it's actually about "politically correct" liberals like the Clash and THEIR effect on Britain." - says Scott McFarland (below). This is undoubtedly the biggest pile of crap I've ever heard, whether about the Jam or the Clash. And yeah, I'm English and I don't want to be anti-American but Scott you're an idiot. I'm into both these bands, have been for years. But then I've also heard No More Heroes by the Stranglers described as their best ever album ... er no actually. Try Rattus Norvegicus, or Black & White. Anyway back to this CD. The Modern World,in common with No More Heroes, and Give 'em Enough Rope, suffers from the second album syndrome - good enough albums in their own right but inevitably compared to and failing to live up to classic first albums. Even though In The City was, let's say a little naive. All Mod Cons is the album that well and truly set the Jam on the road to greatness. It's always been my favourite album so perhaps I'm biased. It's also the one with the memories, if you know what I mean. If you don't, I feel sorry for you. Anyway. Great band, great album. If you don't buy it, beg, borrow or steal it, and when you do - play it to death.

"

Undeniably Great Album

Billy Walshe | Roanoke, VA USA | 09/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Jam, even at their worst were one of the greatest British bands of all time. All Mod Cons is The Jam at their best. Starting out with a tour-de-force of classic hits, and only slowing down for the sincerely beautiful "English Rose," the first half of this CD takes no prisoners. Not losing any momentum afterwards whatsoever, the album barrels into classic song after classic song and closes things with "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight," quite possibly the best example of the Jam's undeniable ability."