All Around The World

Paul Weller’s latest ’70s mod anthem leaves me cold. Allegedly Weller leads the progressive punk faction and his boys play all night but the music is nothin’ new. Reminds me of Love’s ‘My Flash On You’ in fact.

Glossy production and cover work, they even tell you who cuts their hair! and there staring you in the face is the message, Direction, Reaction, Creation.

Owes a lot to The Who of course, too much to be truly original. I’m still no clearer as to where The Jam’s intentions really lie. (NME, 09/07/77)

I was hoping for ‘Modern World’ as the new single from The Jam. I love them. Seen them play about 15 times. But this is no disappointment.

In fact they make records that sound like anthems, Paul Weller’s guitar explosion in the middle is like a quick journey to the centre of the earth.

A number one. ‘Carnaby Street’ is on the B side. (Record Mirror, 16/07/77)