Review:

on 2011-08-18 CharlesMartel Said:

Undoubtedly this is the best Clash album, and one of the best punk albums of all time. This came out at a time when they were at their rawest, and it shows. It lacks sophistication, but then punk was not about sophistication. It was about getting out there and playing loud and fast with a political edge. Those who mark this album down because of poor production or sloppy technique are really missing the point. Punk was a reaction against over-production and virtuosity. It would have been absurd if they turned round on their debut studio album and mimicked it.

There can be little doubt that the Clash were the genuine masters at this sort of energetic, angst-ridden railing against the injustices of the world and that this album pretty much represents the pinnacle of that ideal when expressed in music. It is therefore ironic that the band which railed so much against the establishment ended up signing to one of the establishment's biggest labels and slowly morphing into that which they professed most to despise.

The moment the Clash started playing pop songs they lost it in my view. The Clash were at their best when they were belting out "White Riot", or deriding the fascination with America and American culture in "I'm So Bored with the USA". You also knew that when they aimed their irony at the mainstream music scene with a song like "Janie Jones" they knew as did we all that payola was alive and kicking: it might not be money changing hands, but favours and influence peddling were (and still are to this day) the predominant way the record companies provide mainstream radio with its sounds. And if you have the mainstream radio stations in your pocket, then you control what the sheep like masses will listen to. This was not an album for the mainstream. It was perhaps the only Clash album about which that could be truly said.

The problem with the Clash was that their studio albums never really seemed to reach the potential their live shows and their singles did manage to achieve. With each album there is something missing. Their first was not the greatest punk album but it still shows a band at the start of the great journey before they became corrupted by the very ideals against which they rail on this album. One thing is for sure - they sure knew how to mix it up. There is pure punk, reggae ballads and even a love song (of sorts). It all goes to show that even while the Clash were at their most basic, they could be innovative. The problem from my aspect was where that innovation took them.

Still, if you were a thinking punk, you always leaned towards the Clash as opposed to others who might have fought for the same space. The Pistols may have had the aggression and the vitriol (even if it was largely a pose); the Damned may have been louder and faster; and the Jam, well they were just mods really weren't they. The Clash were politically more informed and more prepared to put that into coherent songs. They were not as abusive as the Pistols, who were often abusive and declamatory for the sake of it. But you just knew that they not only had a point but that they could express it better as well. Sadly, the Clash could not maintain the momentum they created with this album. After this they began the slow downhill decline.
Rating: 8/10

on 2009-05-15 Sinist3r Punk Said:

I'm not a fan at all. Decent music being called revolutionary by a "generation" of fans.
Not Rated

on 2008-09-09 dscanland Said:

Nice review Barber. I agree, this is one is raw punk defined. Only second to London Calling. I love them both.
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2008-09-09 psychoticbarber Said:

The first album-length release by The Clash, this eponymous album was produced twice, once in 1977 in the United Kingdom, and once in 1979 in the United States. The 1979 version includes songs not on the original album as well as having some of the songs cut due to not being "radio friendly". The Clash are Joe Strummer (Guitar, Vocals), Mick Jones (Guitar, Vocals), Paul Simonon (Bass), and Terry Chimes (Drums).

The Clash deliver more than two-chord punk on this album, though there is a fair share of that if you're interested. Songs like White Riot and Janie Jones blast through you, with a certain power and fury that takes some getting used to. The song London's Burning, with the lyrics "Black or white turn it on, face the new religion/Everybody's sitting 'round watching television!", and "London's burning with boredom now" show the aggressive style of music, which for the era and genre are entirely appropriate.

There's more, however, to the album than raw power and furious lyrics. Songs like What's My Name and Police and Thieves show a somewhat more refined musical ability than other songs on the record might suggest. This refined sound adds to the punk sound without removing its power, which is quite an accomplishment in its own right. Police and Thieves, written by singer Junior Murvin, is performed in punk/reggae style, which is a nice counterpoint to the rest of the album with a laid-back attitude about it.

As with any album, and especially with a first album, not everything worked out as intended. Some songs like Remote Control, I'm So Bored With The U.S.A., and Deny have energy and passion, but seem to be lacking something that takes it above the status of melodic noise.

There's something about the raw energy of punk that gets me every time, and The Clash is no different. The edge of experimentation and newness apparent on this first album definitely adds to the experience. I'm personally a big fan of this album, and the critics of the day certainly agreed that this album is a bedrock on which to build a punk collection.
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2007-11-05 Honey Dont Said:

I'll agrue with myself over which I like better, The Clash or London Calling. Hearing this album in its entirety (both versions) helped me to understand The Clash better as a group, where they're coming from and what led to their London Calling masterpiece. Although I didn't live in London during the 70's (or live indeed at all! I was born in the 80s) its like watching someone elses home video. Even though I wasn't there I can feel like I'm somehow apart of it by watching something so raw and oddly intimate. Thats what this album does for me.
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2007-05-31 dscanland Said:

"Pressure Drop" was another one I could admit I thought was the Clash's. Young and immature. We all grow up.
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2007-05-30 green_clash Said:

Definetly man. Don't worry about the I Fought The Law thing, I thought that and Police and Thieves were their own songs. But The Clash's version of Police and Thieves is so unique, both versions of the song offer something different. The Mick Jones arranged guitar parts in it are excellent. Haha, whenever the CD's on, you know I'm yelling out the words (or lipsynching if I'm by myself).
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2007-05-28 dscanland Said:

Where's the 11 rating when you need it? This album spawned a generation, and yet the definitive Clash album was yet to come (London Calling). Nicely reviewed Matt! In all honesty, when I was younger, I thought that I Fought The Law was an original by The Clash. That's how much they owned their sound. And I still remember almost every word off of every song on this album. It provided an awesome soundtrack to my youth.
Rating: 10/10