The Jam are more widely accessible than just about anybody sheltering under the New Wave umbrella ... and for boys who insist that nothing stronger than Vic goes up their noses, Messrs Paul Weller, Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton certainly operate close to the speed of light ... yet this album creates grave misgivings ... it´s a fine album but despite the high energy, Weller´s raucous untreated voice, IN THE CITY shows The Jam at times so lose to the beat groups they´re apeing that they end up like Flamin´ Groovies ...

Paul Weller´s songs are invariably built around great hooks but are too often padded out with pretty dubious non-melodies ...

As it is, The Jam certainly have it in them to do great things but somebody´s trying to get too much out of it much too soon.