The Jam: About the Young Idea

In the late ‘70s, the working-class British punk trio The Jam had a somewhat different look and sound compared to contemporary acts like the Sex Pistols, drawing on R&B influences and sporting a ‘60s mod fashion style instead of safety pins and torn clothing. The band's debut LP, 1977's In the City, featured driving songs written by singer-guitarist Paul Weller, backed by bassist Bruce Foxton, and drummer Rick Buckler—including the titular youth anthem single that promised “we wanna say, we gonna tell ya/about the young idea.” Although only six years old when The Jam arrived on the music scene, Martin Freeman (Sherlock, The Hobbit) became a lifelong fan (“I know every lick of those records.”) Freeman is one of several aficionados singing the band's praises in Bob Smeaton's documentary profile, which presents a relatively anodyne and controversy-free chronological portrait tracing the rise and rise of the group (in Britain, that is; The Jam's political songs never caught fire in America) up through the release of their sixth and final LP, 1982's The Gift. Shortly thereafter, Weller—at the ripe old age of 23—walked away from it all (forming the Style Council two years later, and continuing to have a critically-acclaimed solo career to this day). Weller, Foxton, and Buckler are all on hand to visit key locations in the band's history while also offering reminiscences—although never onscreen together. In fact, “The Bitterest Pill”—the title of a late single—of their breakup is essentially glossed over here (Foxton reputedly did not speak to Weller for 25 years, but he did appear on a 2010 Weller solo album). While the love and enthusiasm for the group is wonderful to hear (full disclosure: The Jam rank as one of my all-time favorite bands), the narrative here is ultimately a bit thin—no redemptive tales, no tear-filled reunions, not even sex and drugs to go along with the rock ‘n' roll, just a well-deserved appreciation of a landmark band that many have never listened to. Presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include additional interviews and performances, as well as a bonus DVD of The Jam performing a 22-song set on the German TV show Rockpalast (with audio options in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo). Although sometimes overdriven, the DTS 5.1 concert sound is pretty good and the band is at their energetic best on classic tunes such as “Going Underground,” “The Eton Rifles,” and the haunting “Down in the Tube Station at Midnight.” A strong optional purchase. (R. Pitman)