Search - Various Artists :: Fire & Skill: Songs of the Jam

Can I buy just half?

Trek Daniels | Detroit, MI | 01/27/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"How could you let someone ruin "That's Entertainment" the way Reef did? It's like letting Motorhead cover "For No One" by the Beatles. Morrissey's version was a million times better, but unfortunately, it didn't end up here. You can rip the Gallagher's but they did some of the best work on this record, hands down. Borrow this cd from a friend and just tape or burn the good tracks."

Go Buy Snap

Supa Chief | Saratoga, California | 03/21/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Though a heart felt tribute to one of Britain's best and most inspriational bands could be thrilling, and judging by many of the names on this album, you would think it should be, this is rather tedious. Reef does the worst cover of "That's Entertainment," outside of my shower. Everything But the Girl does a xerox of the original "English Rose" without out all the teenage passion and innocence to give it meaning. Ben Harper should stick to his dreary Hendrix pastiches, and Gene's cover of "Town Called Malice" is a travesty. Why I bet they have never even heard a Motown record in their lives! The good stuff includes Buffalo Tom's slowed down romp through "Going Underground", and Noel's acoustic kereoke of "To Be Someone", which gives a true sense to the burnout behind the lyrics. Even Weller sounds tired on the hidden track. File under for completists only."

3 out of 4 Oasis wimps agree

Ewan Wadharmi | mage | 01/04/2001

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I disagree with 100% with the previous posts. What a pitiful record."Carnation"- Liam Gallagher & Steve Craddock--Paul Weller never wore the Beatles influence on his sleeve. So this is a little like hearing an Elvis impersonator sing the Cramps. Anemic bubblegum from the Oasis frontman. "Start"-The Beastie Boys & Miho Hatori-By removing the vocals and subtlety, they've created a stylized Gap-ready caricature of an important song. More of an homage to Beck, really. "That's Entertainment"-Reef-All the elements are in place. The bitterness, the immediacy, the youthful outrage are on board this runaway train. It may not be pretty, but it is beautiful. "The Gift"-Heavy Stereo--Heavy Stereo fearlessly grabs this song with the sort of desperation that someone is going to steal it out from under them and make a mockery of the Jam. "Art School"-Silversun--Silversun forego the Urge Overkill 70's consumer sound. They opt instead for dirty garage punk. Vocals aren't quite as adolescent as Blink182. "English Rose"-Everything But The Girl--Listenable, without being an album buyer."Going Underground"-Buffalo Tom--. This awful version slowed down to Cowboy Junkies speed has the singer struggling to breathe. If he doesn't want to sing, he should be hanging around downtown with Marcy Playground. "The Butterfly Collector"-Garbage--Altering the rhythm of this bitter, pointed tale would seem like a travesty, but it works perfectly. Surprisingly, the most enjoyable dish here. "This Is The Modern World"-Ben Harper--In an odd turn of events, he has managed to suck every bit of venom out of the vocal delivery. It brings to mind Mel Torme's version of "Superstition." "Town Called Malice"-Gene--The music is tight and driven, but Martin Rossiters warblings float over it like a detached entity. "To Be Someone"-Noel Gallagher--Noel has a much more interesting voice than his brother. When he gets out of control, he sounds a bit like Ozzie."No One In The World"-Paul Weller--has him sounding like Bowie after an all nighter and 3 packs."