Greatest Hits by The Jam

The fact that The Jam never achieved the high level of UK success in the U.S. remains puzzling to this day, since the band (lead by singer/guitarist/songwriter Paul Weller) is responsible for some of the era's best music. The band's irresistible hybrid of 60's British Invasion and 70's punk rock is represented splendidly on this GREATEST HITS set from 1991. Whereas the majority of bands that came out of the same scene have been forgotten, The Jam is an exception, and is an obvious influence on such 90's punk-pop bands as Green Day. Dressed in 60's 'mod' clothing and playing only authentic instruments of yesteryear (Rickenbacker guitars, etc.), the trio earned an extraordinary total of 19 top-40 hit singles over a 5-year period. Their early songs ("In the City," "All Around the World") had more of a raw punk edge to them, but by '79, the band was stressing melody over fury ("Eton Rifles," "Down In the Tube Station At Midnight"). By the dawn of the 80's, The Jam were confirmed pop masters, and were rewarde...