In the City (The Jam album)

In the City
Studio album by The Jam
Released	20 May 1977
Recorded	March 1977
Studio	Stratford Place, London, W1
Genre	Punk rock mod revival
Length	32:02
Label	Polydor
Producer	Vic Smith Chris Parry
The Jam chronology
In the City (1977) This Is the Modern World (1977)

In the City is the debut studio album of British mod revival/punk rock band The Jam. It was released in 1977 by Polydor Records and featured the hit single and title track "In the City".

Weller's guitar style on the album is very much influenced by Wilko Johnson and Pete Townshend.

The album includes two cover songs, "Slow Down" and the theme to the 1960s television series, Batman, the latter of which had also been previously covered by The Who, The Kinks and Link Wray.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Robert Christgau	A−[2]

Upon the album's release, In the City received all-round positive reviews. Phil McNeil from the NME said Weller's songwriting "captures that entire teen frustration vibe with the melodic grace and dynamic aplomb of early Kinks and Who". Brian Harrigan of Melody Maker was equally impressed, proclaiming that "[t]he Weller composed songs are anything but an embarrassment, he has a deft touch that places his material on a much higher plateau". In the Record Mirror, Barry Cain wrote, "[a]rmed and extremely dangerous The Jam stalk the decrepit grooves. If you don't like them, hard luck they're gonna be around for a long time. It's been a long time since albums actually reflected pre-20 delusions and this one does".

Track listing

All songs by Paul Weller unless otherwise noted.

Side one

1. "Art School" (2:02)
2. "I've Changed My Address" (3:31)
3. "Slow Down" (2:39) (Larry Williams)
4. "I Got By in Time" (2:07)
5. "Away from the Numbers" (4:03)
6. "Batman Theme" (1:31) (Neal Hefti)

Side two

1. "In the City" (2:19)
2. "Sounds from the Street" (3:14)
3. "Non-Stop Dancing" (2:28)
4. "Time for Truth" (3:10)
5. "Takin' My Love" (2:15)
6. "Bricks and Mortar" (2:37)

Personnel

• Paul Weller - guitars, vocals
• Bruce Foxton - bass, vocals
• Rick Buckler - drums

References