"Sound Affects" is the fifth studio album by the English rock band The Jam, released on 28 November 1980 by Polydor Records. It is widely regarded as one of the band's finest works and is the only Jam album that the band co-produced themselves. The album features a mix of post-punk influences, mod revival, and elements of 1960s psychedelia, along with strong nods to classic rock, particularly the Beatles’ influence. The album's artwork is a nod to the "Sound Effects" series produced by the BBC during the 1970s.
The album drew inspiration from a wide range of sources, including post-punk acts like Wire, Gang of Four, and Joy Division, as well as funk influences like Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall, especially in the rhythms and drumming of Rick Buckler. Frontman Paul Weller has also cited The Beatles' Revolver as a major influence on the album's creation. He described the album as a hybrid of Off the Wall and Revolver, acknowledging the Beatles' influence particularly in the way the songs were structured and the use of basslines and psychedelic effects.
For example, the song "Start!" is a clear homage to the Beatles’ Revolver track "Taxman," with its bassline strikingly similar to that of the latter and a similar guitar solo. Meanwhile, "Pretty Green" combines funk-inspired bass with a rock beat and a touch of psychedelic sound effects.
The back cover of Sound Affects features an excerpt from Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem "The Masque of Anarchy," which complements the album’s political and social themes.
The album's standout track and the band’s second UK number one single, "Start!" is known for its driving bassline and mod-inspired sound. The song was initially not the band’s first choice for a single, as Polydor had wanted to release "Pretty Green" first. However, Weller's decision to release "Start!" was ultimately vindicated when it shot to number one in the UK charts.
"Pretty Green" is known for its infectious funk-inspired bassline and rhythmic complexity. This track also draws from the psychedelic sounds of the late 60s. It reflects the band's mod influences and Weller's growing fascination with fashion and identity.
"Music for the Last Couple" is the only track on the album co-written by all three members of the band — Weller, Buckler, and bassist Bruce Foxton. This represents a more collaborative effort within the group, compared to much of the album, which was largely written by Weller alone.
Sound Affects was a major commercial success. It sold over 100,000 copies and spent 19 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number two in late 1980. In the United States, the album was less successful but still managed to spend 11 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 72 in early 1981.
The album’s single “Start!” became The Jam's second UK number one hit, and the album itself has been hailed as a landmark in the band’s career. Its distinctive fusion of post-punk, mod, and psychedelic influences set it apart from many of the band's contemporaries in the UK music scene.
Paul Weller has referred to Sound Affects as his favorite Jam album, calling it a high point in the band’s career. The album’s exploration of new sounds and influences represented a bold leap forward in their development as a band, and it became a critical and fan favorite over time.
In 2010, Sound Affects was reissued as a two-CD deluxe edition to mark its 30th anniversary. The reissue featured remastered versions of the original tracks along with bonus content, including demos and live performances. The reissue performed well, reaching number 63 on the UK Albums Chart.
Track listing includes Pretty Green, Monday, But I'm Different Now, Set the House Ablaze, Start!, That's Entertainment, Dream Time, Man in the Corner Shop, Music for the Last Couple, Boy About Town, and Scrape Away.
Sound Affects marked the culmination of The Jam’s mod revival sound while pushing the boundaries of their style with a broader range of influences, from post-punk to funk and psychedelia. The album’s distinctive approach to songwriting, production, and its political edge made it an enduring classic, and it remains a favorite among fans of the band and critics alike. It is an album that captures the band at a creative peak, embodying the energy of the late 1970s and early 1980s while nodding back to the sound of the 1960s.
