Saturday 17 December 2011

Sound Affects - The Jam

Where are the current day equivalent of The Jam? I would've thought that in these trying times dissenting voices would filling the airwaves. Perhaps endless reality television loops has blunted and deadened our resolve? Maybe manufactured music is drowning out those who are shouting out or perhaps no one cares enough to write a three minute political pop song?
The Jam successfully mixed pop songs with political and social commentary. Try 'That's Entertainment', written in 1980 describing a life that should seem distant but resonates 30 years later. A depressing and sobering thought. 'I'm Different Now' manages to be harder, edgier and poppy at the same time. This was The Jam's strength; successfully mixing different types of message, concisely delivered within great pop songs.
So the Thatcher years gave rise to angry and political pop bands, like The Jam. I wonder who will rise to the challenge now?

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