Start!

Snap!, the 2-disc import version, by The Jam, is totally brilliant. I got it for $34 or so, which is a bit steep, but it has 28 tracks and every single The Jam single and some choice b-sides; plus it's made in England, which couldn't be more appropriate.

The whole collection is chronologically ordered. The 1st CD showcases The Jam's roots; a punk group with a dash of Mod flavouring, specifically some Pete Townshend-esque guitar playing. "Strange Town", a later track on disc 1 hints is the first single to really showcase a Soul/R&B influence.

Disc 2 is almost completely magic. 11 very proper tracks, it almost blows my mind. The Soul, R&B and Funk influence really shows here. With those influences, I think, the group made their best music. There isn't really any brash vocals, or loud blaring guitars but the energy is hardly restrained and the production is kept loose. Apparently The Jam recorded all tracks live, without any over-dubs and it shows, in a good way.

Although, The Jam didn't get much attention in the United States, they still remain one of the most popular groups in British music history. Ten Top 10 singles, four #1 singles. They've
influenced Blur, Oasis, The Libertines, Maximo Park, The Futureheads, tons of British groups. Plus they looked pretty cool.