From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Gift (The Jam album)
The Gift (The Jam album)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]
Robert Christgau (B)[2]
The Gift bass lines and wah-wah guitar effects were often used
throughout the album, along with jazz influences such as
brass sections and saxophone solos (most notably on the
track "Precious"). Only two songs on the album exceed
three and a half minutes.
The biggest hit of the album was "Town Called Mal-
ice". The song’s lyrics are an accurate reflection of Eng-
lish life at the time, and deal with small-town issues such
as alcoholism, the struggle to make a living, unemploy-
ment and lack of facilities in small towns.
"Just Who Is The 5 O’Clock Hero?", which was re-
leased as a 7" vinyl single in the Netherlands only, rep-
resents the efforts put in by 9-to-5 working men and
women of Britain, who keep society running (and as such,
Studio album by The Jam are unsung heroes). Unlike the earlier song "Mr. Clean"
from All Mod Cons, Weller does not mock the character,
Released 12 March 1982
but rather praises him/her. However, the character from
Recorded October 1981-February 1982 "Mr. Clean" represents a completely different strata of
Genre Mod revival, Post-punk
society, the executive/upper management types who
would typically hound and otherwise make the character
Length 32:47 from "Just Who Is The 5 O’Clock Hero?"’s life difficult.
Label Polydor Weller’s experimentation of several different musical
styles previously unexplored by The Jam on this album
The Jam chronology led to increasing disagreement with the other band
members, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler, who were disil-
Sound Affects The Gift
(1980) (1982) lusioned with the move away from a traditional pub rock
or punk rock style. The band broke up after touring the
album (even after its massive success, rising to #1 on the
The Gift is the sixth and final studio album by British band
British charts) on the ’Trans-Global Express Tour’.
The Jam. Released on 12 March 1982, it reached #1 on the
After the album’s release, Paul Weller went on to
British charts. Clocking in at 32:17 minutes, the album re-
form The Style Council. The song "Carnation" was later
ceived a mixed reception from critics and fans.
covered by Liam Gallagher of Oasis and Steve Cradock of
The original release of the album was on 12" vinyl,
Ocean Colour Scene.
and initial copies came with a paper bag stating "The
Jam... A Gift". These copies are increasingly difficult to
find, especially in good condition. Other issues included Track listing
the regular vinyl issue, the Japanese vinyl issue (with a All songs by Paul Weller except where otherwise noted:
bonus lyric book), the CD issue, the re-mastered issue, 1. "Happy Together" – 2:51
and a recently issued Japanese version in a mini-LP style 2. "Ghosts" – 2:11
sleeve. 3. "Precious" – 4:13
The album moved away from the simple three-chord 4. "Just Who Is the 5 O’Clock Hero?" – 2:15
music of In the City and This Is The Modern World, and 5. "Trans-Global Express" – 3:59
the more melodic All Mod Cons, Setting Sons and Sound Af- 6. "Running on the Spot" – 3:06
fects, to demonstrate Weller’s love of northern soul. Funk
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Gift (The Jam album)
Preceded by UK Albums Chart number one album Succeeded by
Love Songs by Barbra Streisand 20 March 1982 – 9 April 1982 Love Songs by Barbra Streisand
7.
8.
"Circus" (Bruce Foxton) – 2:11
"The Planner’s Dream Goes Wrong" – 2:19
References
9. "Carnation" – 3:28 [1] Allmusic review
10. "Town Called Malice" – 2:55 [2] Robert Christgau review
11. "The Gift" – 3:08
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Gift_(The_Jam_album)&oldid=451760315"
Categories:
• 1982 albums
• The Jam albums
• Polydor Records albums
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