http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2006 by the authors Thu, 19 Oct 2006 16:17:56 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/10/06/093440.php#comment-459658 I saw English Beat open for the Clash and it was a great concert, of course. English Beat was well received, and generally they were gaining in acclaim (I worked in a record store and their sales kept getting better for all their output). And you're right--just as they were getting more notice and sales, it was General Public all of a sudden. A good-enough pop band, but since Dave Wakeling lived a gew miles away on the San Diego coast, I stopped thinking of them as English anything. 459658@blogcritics.org Thu, 19 Oct 2006 16:17:56 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/10/06/093440.php#comment-459532 Part of the problem with bands like The Jam, as well as The (English) Beat was that they were breaking up just as they were starting to get noticed in the US. It's hard to believe now, but lots of Brit bands toured the vast interior the US in relative obscurity years before they broke big in the US. The Jam were such a great band, and so amazing in that a trio could have such a full sound. Bruce Foxton is in arguably one of the best bassists of that era. Thank the PTB that You Tube exists so I can watch concert videos by bands I never got to see live. Style Council was a solid disappointment, IMO. 459532@blogcritics.org Thu, 19 Oct 2006 11:27:52 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/10/06/093440.php#comment-459458 Thanks tink: Many people, including me, could never get into the Style Council, either. I only knew one person who did, and I think it was because she was so gaga over Weller, that it did (unlike you) translate into blind fandom. 459458@blogcritics.org Thu, 19 Oct 2006 07:59:46 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/10/06/093440.php#comment-459366 Always loved the Jam, due in part to a huge crush I had on Paul Weller...that somehow never translated to liking Style Counsil. But to have to choose between them and the Clash? Both were great to see live but comparing them musicially is like apples and oranges...glad that I like 'em both! Thanks G for a great musical flashback! 459366@blogcritics.org Thu, 19 Oct 2006 00:25:11 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/10/06/093440.php#comment-452748 The Jam were a little like early Kinks (after they were banned from touring the US for a few years), with themes and lyrics essentially Brit-centric, too much so for full American appeal. They have their highs and lows for me, but "Beat Surrender" is definitely a transcending highlight I never get tired of. 452748@blogcritics.org Sun, 8 Oct 2006 00:24:58 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/10/06/093440.php#comment-452714 Well, though I've never been a huge fan of The Jam (I liked maybe 2 or 3 of their last songs), I must say, given the choice between the Pistols, The Clash and The Jam, I would go with the Jam any day! However, I must confess, out of all the stuff Paul Weller has done to date, The Style Council is still my favorite, though I would never argue they were classic or epoch making in any way. Just easier on the ears. 452714@blogcritics.org Sat, 7 Oct 2006 21:31:50 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/10/06/093440.php#comment-452553 The Jam had their moments, but I don't think they're remembered in the same way as their comtemporaries - maybe in Jolly Olde England, but Stateside, I think they never had the long term impact of the Pistols or the Clash. 452553@blogcritics.org Sat, 7 Oct 2006 10:04:57 EDT