The Modern World

As is so often the case for overnight successes, The Jam rush-recorded their sophomore effort during a hurried schedule to capitalize on the barnstorming debut, In The City. This, combined with Paul Weller's various personal distractions and temporary lack of interest, led to a belief that This Is The Modern World has less than satisfying overall results. With the luxury of time and hindsight we can all now calm down, settle back, and make a better consideration of this assured, and underrated, record. Yes, This Is the Modern World can be faulted for borrowed Who licks, pale rewrites of the debut, somewhat clichéd sloganeering and unfinished ideas, but there were still some moments of inspiration, especially in the more introspective Weller songs like "Life From a Window" and "I Need You (For Someone)"; both songs feature personal sentiments that the debut was clearly missing. This Is The Modern World is a work of continued growth and depth in song writing and performance from Weller and its reputation as their ‘sophomore slump’ is completely unfounded. There are indeed repeats of the formula of the first album, including "In the Street Today", "All Around the World", and the title track; the latter two released as singles, underscoring the effort to capitalize on the success of that sound in the UK; but also tracks like "London Girl" and "Standards" illustrate the continued maturity of strong passionate songs without needing to be overly frenetic. Elsewhere, though, listeners are privy to a glimpse into the future with “Life from a Window”, “The Combine”, “I Need You (for Someone)” and “Tonight at Noon”, which, although not always typical of later Jam musings, reveal a rapid development in Weller's approach to song writing, and point to a growing ensemble skill between the band members (which includes some nice harmonising / vocal sharing between Weller and Foxton). If The Jam were on borrowed time when they made This Is the Modern World; then during the recording of demos for the next LP, time up and deserted them completely. But as we know, The Jam got their act together - and how - and we got All Mod Cons. We needn't have worried ourselves so much. So just kick back, relax, and enjoy the music on this exhilarating, if occasionally undernourished album.

Ripped from one of the many CD reissues to sophomore slumped FLAC

The Jam; This Is The Modern World

1.      The Modern World

2.      London Traffic

3.      Standards

4.      Life From A Window

5.      The Combine

6.      Don’t Tell Them You’re Sane

7.      In The Street, Today

8.      London Girl

9.      I Need You (For Someone)

10.   Here Comes The Weekend

11.   Tonight At Noon

12.   In The Midnight Hour

In The City still resides here