Similar Albums:
- Artist: The Jam
- Rating:
- Release Date: May 26, 1997
- Type: Compilation (best of), Box set
- Genre: Rock
Review
Direction Reaction Creation is the ultimate Jam package, offering 117 tracks over five discs -- essentially the band's complete studio recordings. With a strict adherence to chronological order, the box presents each single followed by its B-side(s) (six of which appear on CD for the first time, including the brilliant "See Saw"), followed by the proper album tracks -- oddly, though, the album versions of the singles are chosen in most places. Unfortunately, this approach sometimes disrupts the flow of the albums, especially in the case of All Mod Cons, which loses three tracks to the treatment, and Setting Sons, which loses "Eton Rifles" to a separate disc. This is a small point for purists to debate -- the difference is really unnoticeable in light of the truly great music found on the discs. In addition to the regular studio tracks, disc five offers over an hour of studio demos -- 22 previously unreleased tracks of considerably different takes of better-known material, a few never-before-heard Weller and Foxton originals, and some interesting covers like "Rain," "Dead End Street," and "Every Little Bit Hurts." A lavish 88-page booklet accompanies the set with great liner notes, an extensive band chronology and discography, and the band's complete gig list, along with plenty of rare photos and memorabilia. The Jam, simply put, were one the finest bands in rock & roll history, and Direction Reaction Creation offers the proof, showing both their remarkably rapid growth and their incredible consistency. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music GuideTracks
CD 1
CD 2
CD 3
CD 4
CD 5
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| In the City [#] | Paul Weller | The Jam | (2:23) |
| Time for Truth [#] | Paul Weller | The Jam | (3:17) |
| Sounds from the Street [#] | Paul Weller | The Jam | (3:19) |
| So Sad About Us [#] | Pete Townshend | The Jam | (2:41) |
| Worlds Apart [#] | Paul Weller | The Jam | (1:55) |
| Billy Hunt [Alternative Version][Alternate Take][#] | Paul Weller | The Jam | (2:59) |
| It's Too Bad [#] | Paul Weller | The Jam | (2:27) |
| To Be Someone (Didn't We Have a Nice Time) [#] | Paul Weller | The Jam | (2:26) |
| David Watts [#] | Ray Davies | The Jam | (2:45) |
| Best of Both Worlds [#] | Bruce Foxton | The Jam | (2:03) |
| That's Entertainment [#] | Paul Weller | The Jam | (3:23) |
| Rain [#] | John Lennon, Paul McCartney | The Jam | (2:57) |
| Dream Time [#] | Paul Weller | The Jam | (1:51) |
| Dead End Street [#] | Ray Davies | The Jam | (3:15) |
| Stand by Me [#] | Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller | The Jam | (3:03) |
| Every Little Bit Hurts [#] | The Jam | (3:17) | |
| Tales from the Riverbank [Alternate Version][#] | Paul Weller | The Jam | (3:26) |
| Walking in Heaven's Sunshine [#] | Paul Weller | The Jam | (2:04) |
| Precious (Lyrics) | Paul Weller | The Jam | (2:31) |
| Pity Poor Alfie [Swing Version][#] | Paul Weller | The Jam | (4:13) |
| The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had to Swallow) [First Version][#] | Paul Weller | The Jam | (3:17) |
| A Solid Bond in Your Heart [#] | Paul Weller | The Jam | (3:24) |
