They should have been shot down years ago! That they weren´t is almost entirely due to the fact that Paul Weller talks to ordinary people in an extraordinary voice but minus the usual deceit or malice ...

Weller´s humanism is as simple and direct as it is unaffected. He cares ... In SOUND AFFECTS they have made their best album yet ... The barbs themselves aren´t important, but what is, is the feel of challenge and commitment ...

As a result SOUND AFFECTS is a truly stirring record ... It brings the necessary orthodox of The Jam to a peak ... The balance is magnificent, classical in design ... A celebration of a liberating force in rock and roll (sound does affect!) ...

Side Two, for instance, opens viciously, problemically with typical English storyettes in taut fast music in the shape of ´Dream Time´ and ´Man In The Corner Shop´ ... The second side is completed by the sheer classic 45 pop of ´Boy About Town´ Dexys horns and all ...

It is heart music ... From probably the last great English singles band, the most outspoken and rounded Jam LP yet.