The Jam were once described as the ‘last great English singles band’. For a group that released such classic chart-toppers as ‘Going Underground’ and ‘Town Called
Malice’ that might seem fair enough, but it grievously underestimates their musical canon. The quality of their output on LPs, B-sides and even on recordings that were never released while
the band existed is stunning.
So today I wish to take you beyond the obvious Jam anthems, glorious though they are, and present some neglected gems.
Away From The Numbers
The finest song on the debut In the City album sees the 18-year-old Weller ponder one of the major themes of his Jam years: the struggle to find authentic individual identity at a stage in
life when most are clinging grimly to their peer group.
‘Things are getting just too cosy for me,’ opens Weller defiantly to crashing guitar, driving bass and drums.
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