We're Not Who You Think We Are
Album: The Gift
Year: 1982
The final track on the final Jam album, “The Gift” was nothing more than a up dance number in the tradition of Martha & The Vandellas “Heat Wave.”
But it was also nothing less, either, and the one-two closing punch of “Town Called Malice,” and “The Gift” has always been a huge reason The Gift ended being my favorite Jam LP.
Album: The Gift
Year: 1982
Entering the U.K. charts at #1 the week it was released, “Town Called Malice” was yet another totally and utterly undeniable single that somehow never gained traction here in the U.S., though I do remember occasionally seeing the video on MTV, so that was something.
Out of all of their singles, I always thought that “Town Called Malice” was the one with the best opportunity to break in the U.S., as it was a great example of Brits taking American R&B and rocking it up a bit. I mean, if “Rock The Casbah” could do it, then why not “A Town Called Malice?”
[Read more…] about Certain Songs #710: The Jam – “Town Called Malice”
Album: The Gift
Year: 1982
In early June of 1982, Tim & I drove up to San Francisco to see The Jam on their Trans-Global Express tour.
It was, of course, awesome, with the fire and skill of Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton & Rick Buckler making it all the way to the very back row of The Warfield, which was good, because that’s where we were sitting!
[Read more…] about Certain Songs #709: The Jam – “Running on the Spot”
Album: The Gift
Year: 1982
Talking about going out on a high note. As I’m sure I’ve mentioned, The Gift is my favorite album by The Jam, a near-perfect combination of their punk-rock roots and the more soul-oriented music that Paul Weller ended up exploring with The Style Council.
By opening and closing each side with the more driving numbers, they filled in each side with funk workouts like “Precious,” proto-Britpop songs like “Carnation,” and the low-key gorgeous soul number, “Ghosts.”