Released in November 1979, Setting Sons stands as a definitive moment for , marking their evolution from high-energy mod revivalists to sophisticated social commentators . Originally envisioned by Paul Weller as a concept album about three childhood friends reuniting after a war, the project shifted due to a rushed recording schedule, yet remains one of the band's most critically acclaimed works. The Sound of 1979: High-Fidelity FLAC
: High-fidelity tracks reveal the nuanced orchestration in songs like the string-laden "Smithers-Jones" and the "unconventional" use of the recorder in "Wasteland". A Masterclass in Songwriting
: A Bruce Foxton-penned classic, originally a B-side, given a full orchestral makeover for the album. Tracklist (Standard 1979 Edition)
: The lossless format preserves Bruce Foxton’s "lyrical, busy bass lines" and Rick Buckler’s propulsive drumming, which can sometimes feel compressed on lower-quality MP3s.
The standard album consists of ten tracks, culminating in a somewhat controversial cover of Martha and the Vandellas' "Heat Wave": Girl on the Phone Thick as Thieves Private Hell Little Boy Soldiers Burning Sky Smithers-Jones Saturday's Kids The Eton Rifles Legacy and Reissues
The Jam's 'Setting Sons', released on this day back in 1979 🎵
: A poignant exploration of changing friendships and the "theft" of shared experience.