I have an unerring knack of discovering artists or bands at the very point their career is about to implode, call it quits, or forget how to write songs. So it was with The Jam. Living in my parents’ basement in godforsaken North Burnaby I somehow got wind of “A Town Called Malice” in grade 11 and I was hooked. I was an instant Jam-o-phile! The band’s tight Who-meets-Beatles sort-of new wave sound was right up my alley. From then I only got to enjoy the two extended singles (“The Bitterest Pill” and “Beat Surrender”) before they disbanded in 1982. Sure, I signed on to The Style Council and their first few records were nice but it just wasn’t the same. Not even close. But after the Style Council split I thought perhaps Weller would get back to some Jam-like stuff as a solo artist. For the most part I’m still waiting.
Paul Weller has released 15 solo albums since 1992 and I’ve waded through them all, needle dropping every cut for signs of something reminiscent of anything from the Jam’s 5 year, six album run. After reviewing the roughly 200 tracks that populate all those Weller solo albums, I can find (IMHO) only one truly Jam-worthy cut: “Friday Street” from 1997’s Heavy Soul. The guitar, the harmonies, the subtle hook in the chorus all sound Jam-ish enough to me to be squeezed onto any of the band’s mid to late releases.
Friday Street
Perhaps you have a strong opinion about some other Weller solo cut that you think is suitably Jam-like that I’ve overlooked? If you do, please let me know – I’d love to find more!
Poprock Record 
“From The Floorboards Up” and “Come On / Let’s Go” – both from 2005’s As Is Now album are quite good. For the most part, you’re quite right about Weller’s solo music. Disappointing. I think he’s capable of better.
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Are you familiar with the band Ocean Colour Scene? They’re in Weller’s orbit and have been around since the mid-90’s. They recorded a Weller song called “For Dancers Only” that is really good. Some of their own best songs include: “I Told You So”, “Magic Carpet Days”, “Go to Sea” (Radio Edit), Traveller’s Tune, “Saturday”, “Old Pair of Jeans”, “Painting”, “Policemen and Pirates”. See what you think.
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Nice – have to give them more of a listen!
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Ah, here’s the list of Ocean Colour Scene songs – I really like “I Told You So”.
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Keep listening to OCS. I think you’ll end up liking a lot of their catalog.
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Will check them out!
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Great suggestions!
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Please let me know what you think. Great site. Thanks.
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I got into The Jam with their Sound Effects album and the Going Underground single. Weller’s only solo song I really like is the opening track from his Wild Wood LP, Sunflower.
Also, have you seen the documentary about the band?
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Yep. Sunflower is the only other highlight I can think of other than those already mentioned. Great song. Reminds me of Eric Clapton a bit.
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I haven’t see the doc – what’s the name?
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From 2015, “The Jam: About the Young Idea”
Quite good
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Looks great! Thanks for the tip.
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Your experience with The Jam/Style Council/Weller is mine almost exactly (except I was a bit older). Introduced with “The Gift.” A few singles and *poof* they were gone. The Style Council eventually wore thin. But I’ve never really gotten into Paul’s solo stuff – as much as I’d like to. He seems determined to never look back.
Bruce Foxton’s solo work has been interesting. I liked “Touch Sensitive” more than Paul’s solo work. And “Back In The Room” actually gets the guys back together…sort of. Worth a listen, if you’ve not heard it.
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I’ve heard a few Foxton tracks over the years but I should check out these suggestions!
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I’ll second that suggestion of some of Bruce Foxton’s music. He tours with Russell Hastings as From the Jam. There was another album called Smash the Clock that came out in 2016. His three best songs in my opinion are: “Coming on Strong” (2012) and “Smash the Clock” and “Now the Time Has Come” (2016).
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The From The Jam stuff really sounds like The Jam. Loving the Foxton tunes!
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The new From the Jam (Foxton & Hastings) album The Butterfly Effect has been delayed until “early 2022”. Was supposed to have been out this month. The long wait goes on.
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😦
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