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Setting Sons (Remastered)

The Jam

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Album Review

The Jam's Setting Sons was originally planned as a concept album about three childhood friends who, upon meeting after some time apart, discover the different directions in which they've grown apart. Only about half of the songs ended up following the concept due to a rushed recording schedule, but where they do, Paul Weller vividly depicts British life, male relationships, and coming to terms with entry into adulthood. Weller's observations of society are more pointed and pessimistic than ever, but at the same time, he's employed stronger melodies with a slicker production and comparatively fuller arrangements, even using heavy orchestration for a reworked version of Bruce Foxton's "Smithers-Jones." Setting Sons often reaches brilliance and stands among the Jam's best albums, but the inclusion of a number of throwaways and knockoffs (especially the out-of-place cover of "Heat Wave" which closes the album) mars an otherwise perfect album.

Customer Reviews

when weller wailed, worlds wavered

Having first purchased this album 25 years ago as a snotty 16 year old 'mod', i was taken aback by the strength of the lyrics and the power of the melodies. Not before or since has Weller created such a wonderful array of songs (albeit, loosely knitted together in a failed concept). Songs that summed up British working class kids life, harder hitting than any other band of the last 30 years. In my opinion, this album was the pinnacle of The Jam and Paul Wellers career. Not to say he did nt write more great songs since but as a stand alone album, Setting Sons is the best. If it is nt in your collection, you are missing a real early gem.

Burning

For many Jam fans, the album. It all comes together here, although the 'concept album' spin it had at the time doesn't really stand up now. Private Hell was PW listening to She's Lost Control and getting a few ideas, and the Eton Rifles is sheer genius: Weller burning with rage at public schoolboys stoning a Right to Work march, seeing the sparks of revolution, followed by a great betrayal. Not so much Weller, as Orweller. And people wonder why he didn't want to sing with James Blunt....

The finest album of it's day

Pure class. Still know all the words and recall Weller giving it some back in the day in and around Guildford and Woking. Private Hell has to be up there with the best for lyrics. Swapped my Madness album for it at School - best business I did all year!

Biography

Formed: 1975 in Woking, Surrey, England

Genre: Rock

Years Active: '70s, '80s

The Jam were the most popular band to emerge from the initial wave of British punk rock in 1977; along with the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and the Buzzcocks, the Jam had the most impact on pop music. While they could barely get noticed in America, the trio became genuine superstars in Britain, with an impressive string of Top Ten singles in the late '70s and early '80s. The Jam could never have a hit in America because they were thoroughly and defiantly British. Under the direction of guitarist/vocalist/songwriter...
Full bio

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