Is Setting Sons a good place to start with The Jam?

Yes, Setting Sons is recommended as a starting point for new The Jam listeners. A sharp, politically charged blend of mod revival and punk rock that captures the disillusionment of late '70s Britain. Setting Sons was The Jam's fourth studio album, released in late 1979 as they were solidifying their place within the UK punk and mod revival scenes. Following their breakthrough with All Mod Cons, this album showcased a more mature sound and deeper lyrical content, reflecting the band's evolving artistry.

Who is Setting Sons for?

Setting Sons works well if you're into steady mid-tempo groove throughout, sharp social commentary themes and catchy melodies for sing-alongs.

How many songs are on Setting Sons?

Setting Sons has 19 tracks, running approximately 57 minutes.

Setting Sons

The Jam · 1979

57 min · 19 tracks · new wave

A sharp, politically charged blend of mod revival and punk rock that captures the disillusionment of late '70s Britain.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Girl on the Phone Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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The Eton Rifles — This track stands out for its incisive commentary on class division and the disillusionment of youth, encapsulating the album's political edge with infectious energy.
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Thick as Thieves — With its reflective lyrics about friendship and betrayal, this song showcases the band's lyrical depth while maintaining their signature catchy melody.
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Little Boy Soldiers — This poignant track critiques the romanticization of war, using vivid imagery to challenge societal norms, making it a standout example of The Jam's thoughtful songwriting.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and production, with a blend of political themes and varied musical textures.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
Tracks like 'The Eton Rifles' and 'Little Boy Soldiers' employ sharp, politically charged lyrics that reflect social disillusionment.
Several tracks incorporate brass instrumentation, adding a distinct texture that differentiates them from typical punk rock arrangements.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo groove throughout
sharp social commentary themes
catchy melodies for sing-alongs
for group listening sessions
reflective moments during commutes

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
avoid lyrical depth and nuance

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Cemented The Jam's status as a leading band in British rock after previous success.
Themes: class division· youth disillusionment· romanticized warfare
Career context: Setting Sons was The Jam's fourth studio album, released in late 1979 as they were solidifying their place within the UK punk and mod revival scenes. Following their breakthrough with All Mod Cons, this album showcased a more mature sound and deeper lyrical content, reflecting the band's evolving artistry.
Stylistic neighbors: The Clash· The Specials· Buzzcocks