On this date in 1977, The Jam released their second studio album, This Is the Modern World. The album was released less than six months after their debut album, In the City, and reached No. 22 on the UK Albums Chart.
Despite receiving mostly poor reviews from music critics upon release, This Is the Modern World has been regarded as an album “with far more light and shade” than its predecessor, In the City.
The only single from This Is the Modern World was the censored version of “The Modern World”, which peaked at No. 36 on the UK Singles Chart.
But, aside from Noel-Liam Gallagher, John Lydon, Morrissey, and Echo & the Bunnymen’s Ian “Mac the Mouth” McCulloch, did you know that The Jam’s leader Paul Weller is also known for his aggressive language and frequent, scathing critiques of other musicians?
• “People like Bob Geldof, setting themselves up as spokesmen for the kids, make me spew.” 1977
• “When did punk go wrong? When The Clash became just like any other rock band. All those pictures of them in biker jackets with their hands in their pockets, like, ‘We might be holding a gun.’ Or a fucking water pistol.” 1995
• “I think U2 are a load of wallies. If they had long hair and wore headbands, no one would look twice at them.” 1983
• “I haven’t got the internet in my house… I think it’s the Devil’s Window.” 2008
• “It’s like a mini fridge. With no fucking beers in it.” On the iPod, 2008
• “I’d rather eat my own shit than do a duet with James Blunt.” 2006
• “How do I feel about being called the Eric Clapton of the 1990s? Bollocks. If my music ever got as laid-back and mellow as his, I’d pack it in. Or shoot myself.” 1995
• “I think they were absolute fucking scum – especially Thatcher, who I think should be shot as a traitor to the people.” On the Conservative governments of the 80s and 90s, 2008
• “I don’t like the crappy slogans Wham! have got: ‘Go for it’. Go for what? An all-year suntan?” 1985
• “He’s a horrible man. Not my cup of tea at all. Fucking rubbish. No edge, no attitude, no nothing.” On Sting, 2007
• “I talk a lot of shit a lot of the time, and people should remember that.” 1996
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Featured image via Erica Echenberg.
