Tribute/thumbnail of The Jam and Paul Weller's influence and career.
"The public gets what the public wants," The Jam once proclaimed. It feels like the North American consciousness only tapped into the genius of The Jam around the time the film Billy Elliot featured the classic Jam -- err, jam -- "Town Called Malice" on its soundtrack, which is a shame. Not a shame that the track was included, of course. But it's hard to imagine how such smart, radio-ready pop didn't chart in the U.S. in their heyday.
Lead singer and songwriter Paul Weller (who went on to lead The Style Council) crafted a sound that didn't disguise the group's influences and roots (The Kinks, The Beatles). Bruce Foxton on bass and Rick Buckler on drums rounded out the sound, which many labelled "mod" (a label that, for better or for worse, has stuck).
The band disbanded in 1982, but they've influenced artists ranging from Blur to Billy Bragg since.
If you're a new disciple of the band, here's a few tracks to check out ( mind you, this barely scratches the surface):
Highlights:
(The Jam:)
"Absolute Beginners"
"The Bitterest Pill"
"The Eton Rifles"
"Down in the Tube Station at Midnight"
(solo Paul Weller:)
"Holy Man."
"You Do Something To Me"
"Brand New Start"
