The Jam Album: “Gold”

I can't fault the music on this compilation. Everything the Jam recorded was brilliant, and this double-disc set accurately conveys this with 49 amazing guitar-pop gems.

My only problem with this set is with its focus. It seems to be a random collection of singles, album tracks, b-sides and rarities without clear narrative. It's hard to imagine what the compilers were thinking.

This compilation contains nearly all of the bands A-sides (it's missing All Around the World, A Bomb in Wardour Street, Precious, Just Who is the Five O'Clock Hero, and The Bitterest Pill (I've Ever Had to Swallow), many songs from their albums (two from In the City, one from The Modern World, five from All Mod Cons, five from Setting Sons, four from Sound Affects, and three from The Gift) and nearly all of Extras, the band's B-sides and rarities collection. It's also worth mentioning that among these tracks are covers of songs by the Kinks, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, the Beatles, the Who, the Small Faces, and the Chi-Lites that are well worth checking out.

Disc one runs in roughly chronological order(disc two is aimless), but A-sides and B-sides can be found on both discs. And although the band's B-sides often contained their best work, it is strange that the album includes more non-album tracks than album tracks. It might have made more sense to sacrifice a rarity or two in favor of the rest of the A-sides and a few more album tracks from the first two albums.

Despite all of this, the music is great, and I highly recommend it for anyone intersested in British indie, new wave, and vintage punk.

These cds sound great. Unfortunately, the version of Smithers-Jones found here is the one with orchestral accompaniment from Setting Sons. If you prefer the single; the hard-driving electric version of the song, as I do, you will have to buy Snap! or Extras. If you liked 'The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had To Swallow)', you will not find that in this collection either. Because it was released as a single, you must look for it on another compilation like 'The Jam - Greatest Hits', or 'The Very Best of the Jam'.

This 2-disc set encapsulates everything that was great and glorious about Paul "the Modfather" Weller and the Jam. From the opening notes on Disc 1 to the closing tunes on Disc 2, the whole sonic history of the best band that Britain produced in the late 1970's is revealed.

Whether you're a seasoned Jam fan or just discovering them, this CD contains most of their well-known songs. Having been a fan since the early 80's (gulp!), I've enjoyed listening to these tracks over the years. And yes, Weller really is my last name.