The Jam, In the City Reviews

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Good Points: Fast, aggressive, brave and delivered with conviction. Firmly in the punk camp at the time and with the Pistols' and the Clash's first Albums marks the vanguard of British Punk Rock. Part of the Holy Trinity of Punk indeed!

Bad Points: Derrivative. Wears its musical ifluences on its sleeve (quite literally). Political stance of its lyrics sometimes confused.

General comments: The Jam, In the City draws heavily on 60s RnB and Soul but almost 'garage' in its approach.
This serves as almost a prototype Punk album in that it displays the RnB 'Pub Rock' roots of Punk.
Despite Punk's claim to wipe way and start anew, most of the early punk bands drew heavily on mid 60s influences and themes, and this is probably its most honest face. Not a brilliant piece, but not bad either, but more to the point historically vital.
Weller was only 18 at the time but had mastered the skill of playing lead and rythm at the same time with break neck speed, as competent as any early Townsend or later Wilcko Johnson.
Once described as the acceptable face of Punk. Well, yes!