ALBUM REVIEW: Bruce Foxton - Smash The Clock

Bruce Foxton - Smash The Clock (Bass Tone Recordings)

Bruce Foxton, former bass player with The Jam, is back with a new solo album, and it's his best work in years.

Smash The Clock was co-written with his From The Jam band-mate Russell Hastings, and features guest appearances from Paul Weller, Wilko Johnson and Paul Jones.

Crowd-funded through Pledge Music, it's a far more consistent album than 2012's Back In The Room.

Like that record, several of the tracks wouldn't sound out of place on the last couple of Jam albums.

This is a very strong set of songs - catchy, anthemic, soulful, 60s-influenced pop.

It starts off with the upbeat, horn-infused Now The Time Has Come, which could easily be a late-period Jam song.

Pictures and Diamonds, featuring the Modfather himself on guitar, has a real psychedelic '60s vibe, largely thanks to the Animals-like organ.

Louder is a simple acoustic number with a chorus that will lodge itself in your head, and a contender for best song on the album, alongside the lovely Writing On The Wall.

Foxton's bass leads the way on the funky Round And Round, while Running Away From You is another highlight.

It's an album that will appeal to fans of The Jam, but it also shows that From The Jam are much more than a band paying tribute to the former glories of one of its members. 8/10.