The Clash
The Clash
1977
Album Summary
The Clash is the debut studio album by English punk rock band the Clash. It was released on 8 April 1977 through CBS Records. Written and recorded over three weeks in February 1977 for £4,000, it would go on to reach No. 12 on the UK charts, and has been included on many retrospective rankings as one of the greatest punk albums of all time. Songs on the album were composed by guitarists Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, with the notable exception of the reggae cover "Police and Thieves". Several songs from these sessions, including "Janie Jones", "White Riot", and "London's Burning" became classics of the punk genre and were among the first punk songs to see significant presence on singles charts. The album featured Jones and Strummer sharing guitar and vocal duties, with Paul Simonon on bass and Terry Chimes on drums. The album was not released in the US until 1979, making it their second US release. The US version also included a significantly different track listing, changing the track order and swapping out several songs for non-album tracks recorded in the interim.
WikipediaOne of the greatest punk albums ever created. Also one of the best debuts ever. I’ve listened to this record countless times and it really makes me feel like I’m in London in the 70s. Joe Strummer’s snarling, angry voice perfectly compliments Mick Jones sweet melodic vocals and the playing is the right balance of melodically interesting and aggressive. No secret that the Clash are one of my favorite bands. Favorite song(s): Police and Thieves, Janie Jones, London’s Burning Least favorite song: Deny, I guess
This is a top ten album for me, no question. I love every track. It's iconic and genre-defining. I've got nothing else. It's just everything I want from a punk album ... of from any album really.
Yankee detectives are always on TV. The killers in America work seven days a week. When I saw the Clash, the second song they played was I'm So Bored With The USA. Etched in my memory is Joe Strummer singing while one hand pressed against his cheekbone and temple as if the state of things his lyrics described was so sickening it was giving him a headache. He couldn't play guitar with one hand covering his face but a Clash concert was never about the guitar playing was it? Listen to the bass playing on Hate And War. Not too shabby given Paul Simonon didn't know how to play the instrument when they got to the studio. The cover versions in this and the US version of the album give some hints of where the band was musically with Police and Thieves being a Reggae song and I Fought the Law being Rockabilly / Country. Yeah their later albums are arguably better as they embraced ska, et al, understood their instruments more fully and had more than 4K to spend recording and producing. A quieter version of Career Opportunities was redone on a later album, (Sandinista?) but I still prefer the raw version. This raw version of The Clash has a place in The Clash's top shelf and played a lead role in shifting music from the ugly rut it was in. A bonus for those who like this LP is that you will never have to make that grunting noise we all make when we first hear elevator music versions of songs we like.
Probably the best "classic" punk album. Just behind London Calling and maybe Sandinista for me. 9-10/10 1. Remote Control 2. Police & Thieves 3. London's Burning
The only band that matters. If I was told I could only listen to one album for the rest of my life it could well be this one
Of course I know these legendary chaps. In reading about this album, I saw that a different version was released in the U.S. I listened to all the extra songs, and it turns out many of my favorite tracks were only on the US release. Guess it pays to be American sometimes. "Clash City Rockers" is a classic favorite for me, due in no small part to a Tony Hawk game. Overall, I think these are some solid punksters. The album feels unfocused, but that's punk for you. I'm looking forward to hearing better work from these guys, I'm sure London Calling is on this list. Favorite tracks: Clash City Rockers, Complete Control, I Fought the Law, What's My Name. Album art: Black and white band photo, nothing special. They look like cool guys though. I love the jagged bordering and the font for the band/album title. 3.5/5
Pretty good album. Still finding the vocal melodies. Good guitar tones, but the drums sound is lack luster. Multiple interesting bass lines.
They have some good songs but they're not on here, and it's all just british yelling over mediocre rock imo
Punk music done right, I wanna be in a grimy venue drinking a PBR tower.
One in the punk rock firmament. How could I not love the shit out of this album. The A side just comes out with so much panache and energy, it's infectious. The B side is equally solid. Love the hell out of it.
Classic album, first albums by the Clash, Jam, Damned and Pistols all 5 star efforts.
Key punk debut album. Best Tracks: I'm So Bored With the U.S.A., White Riot, Career Opportunities,
top 10 album for me. My favorite Clash album even more so than London Calling. One classic song after another. I have both the British version as well as the American version I slightly prefer the US version for its inclusion of Complete Control and Clash City Rockers, though the sequencing is better on the British version because of the sequencing. But these are quibles, either versioin is a 5 star album in my books
A fantastic debut. Much different from other punk of the day. A faster blueprint of what’s to come
que banda maravillosa que es the clash no puedo creer, me disfruté el álbum de principio a fin totalmente
This is an outstanding album, really one of the best debut albums I’ve ever heard. It’s a pretty perfect punk album, better than practically anything their peers would produce. The Clash is the best that genre ever produced, but you can already hear them straining against the borders of punk. The lyrics are smarter, and there’s a pop sensibility (their secret weapon) that’s undeniable here. The band is surprisingly melodic when they feel like it, which elevates these songs to another level entirely. Don’t get me wrong, they’re as angry, irreverent, rowdy and pissy as the rest of them. Their energy is insane. They burn through 35 minutes of songs like a freaking brush fire. The album hasn’t aged in 40+ years really. The youth, urgency, the raw passion, all still as vividly on display as ever. And it’s still incredibly listenable, a true classic. The Clash has one album that’s even better than this one (you all know it), but no matter, this one is an easy 5. Fave Songs: Janie Jones, Police & Thieves, Remote Control, Garageland, I'm So Bored with the USA
Pure adrenaline from one of the most important bands of my lifetime. It hasn't aged or diminished since release.
Super exciting, great songs delivered with energy. Not as good as London Calling and the production is weak, but still a bonafide punk classic, with lyrics sounding as fresh and relevant today as they would have 40 years ago.
Raw and catchy! Police & Thieves is one of my favorite tracks. It has that playing in the garage and jamming out feel.
The brilliant simplicity of the entire album, belies the complexity of it's appeal. The sound is visceral, the lyrics have depth and a purpose, and it is all exactly what it needs to be without any fluff or pretense.
So great... a favourite, knew the songs, but had never listened to the album together before.
This is the album that made punk real. Gave it substance, weight, import. Showed what a great punk band could be. I go back and forth ad to which one is the definitive version ; the blue US version or the green original British version. The US version has more great songs...White Man in Hammersmith Palais, Comete Control, Jail Guitar Doors, Clash City Rockers, but the British version opens with Janie Jones, one of the greatest album openers of all time. Whatever version floats your boat there's no denying that what we have here is a 5 star album
One of the easiest 5 stars I’ll give. A great punk album, every song is amazing.
An easy 5. Always preferred London Calling but difficult to compare to as they're so different.
I prefer London Calling, but this is still one of the greatest punk albums ever. A solid 5 star album.
Álbum de estreia, mas já bastante elogiado. Nunca tinha escolhido o álbum pra ouvir de verdade. Me surpreendi. Lendo as letras, vi que é uma banda bastante rebelde e com um estilo de rock bem alternativo. Quero conhecer mais.
El millor disc del punk, i un dels grans discos de la història. Allunyats de la broma que representaven els Pistols, tot aquí és música. Cançons perfectes, diferents estils, lletres compromeses. Encara haurien d'evolucionar a encara millor, però ja seria en un altre estil. El punk rock primitiu però poderós i intel.ligent del seu disc debut no ha estat mai igualat
Somehow, I'd never listened to this. Really liked it; raw punk, but with cerebral credibility.
Best of the best. Incredible musicians and Joe Strummer's political convictions. The very best punk has to offer.
Punk rock warlords. Classic debut album. It’s not perfect, but it was clear from the beginning that the Clash was so much more than just a punk band. 5 stars.
Hard to find any faults, a pretty perfect debut. Perhaps only a 9 out of 10 for their somewhat clodhoppy reggae cover.
8 fucking stars. This album is a sonic attack on assholes and sitting still.
I don't normally fuck with Brit Punk. but The Clash and this album Fuck.
Aww brilliant end to end but I’m biased. From the machine gun drumming of Janie Jones to the snotty chants of Garageland it’s such a great debut while signposting the great things this band was to become. It’s not London Calling - and it’s not comparable because it’s a completely different gente - this is the Clash at their most punk - but every ratatat beat and every riff and every bass line and every Strummer bark and Jones yap is glorious.
One of the best debut albums of a rock band — a classic. 45 years later and its energy hasn't dampened at all. It still rocks. The "Noo-whooa-ohh!" vocals that come in at 1:44 on "Janie Jones"?! So good. Listening to this for the first time in years, I paid more attention to the social and political lyrics that mostly went over my head when I was a teenager. This is actually my first time listening to the UK version of the album. I've always listened to the US version. (Both CDs were options at Best Buy when I bought it in high school and I had to make a decision.) The US version cuts a few songs and adds a few more so it was cool to hear some of these tracks for the first time. On the other hand, a few of my favorites are missing from the UK version. "I Fought the Law," "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais," and "Jail Guitar Doors" are all incredible songs. I didn't realize they were singles that weren’t recorded at the same time as the original album.
Brilliant attitude, all snarl and anger, punks that could play and with something to say. An impactful and powerful debut, quite extraordinary as it shook up the music scene. And London’s Burning is one of the finest tracks to ever come out of the UK.
Uuh! Noni sitä hyvää brittipunkkia. Tai siis tää bändihän on räkärokkista jossa on ska-poljentoa aika tiukasti. Mut tää eka levy on kyl viel aika raakaa ilmaisua. Seuravilla levyillä perkeleesti enemmän sit jamaikaa. Tykkään kyl todella paljon. Jotenki tarpeeks lyhyytä ja selkeetä ja silti on hyvää melodiaa ja kunnon paatosta. Luultavasti yksi eniten muhun vaikuttaneita punk-julkaisuja. Top kybään menee täs kategorias. 5/5
My first time hearing all these songs. Makes me want to riot or something.
Another I loved before this, but tried to listen to 'properly' again when it came up. Sounda like it was recorded fast and cheap (which it was), and only hints at the variety of styles and influences they would explore on later records. Some of these songs are all time punk classics, and it's the debut album by one of my favourite bands, so it's got to be another 6 star album!
Rarely does a day go by that at least one song by The Clash doesn't show up in my day to day. This was their first album released in the UK, but the second released in North America, if memory serves. This album is a lot more raw and a lot less polished than later releases, but even this early album contains a good number of their classic songs that they'll be forever known for. Songs of protest will always catch my attention and my interest. So yeah, no brainer I'm down with The Clash.
Another great classic-one of the foundations of punk. Reminds me to mention the punk history bit Fred Armisen did on Jimmy Fallon. Definitely worth a watch.
i just can't stay in my seat listening to this. Epic. Foundational. A must have in everyone's collection
This is chock full of bangers: I'm So Bored of the USA, White Riot, Hate and War, London's Burning, Career Opportunities. Some less notable tracks as well, but the highs are very high.
Fantastic debut album from "the only band that matters". The songs are simple and catchy; they haven't yet reached the peak of their creative powers that they would achieve with London Calling.
The debut record and already the first masterpiece by The Clash (a.k.a. the only band that matters).
A choppy, snarling snapshot of the frustrations of working class kids. Nervy, vital energy and charging, relentless rhythms.
I've just about wanked myself dry. What a fuckin' masterpiece. Let's 'av it large.
What a fantastic debut. Chock full of what would become the bands calling cards this is one of punks finest early hours. It’s loud, aggressive and seething with energy.
Absolutely essential album if you are a punk fan. Takes the lyricism, attitude, and social conscience of the Sex Pistols and ups the musicianship by about 400%. Top tracks for me include Janie Jones, I'm so Bored of the USA, and White Riot but there's not a dud on here. This will never be out of my listening rotation.
Oh thank goodness for the Clash! These guys brought punk to the popular consciousness with a skillful blending of harsh mosh pit punk rock with pop, including reggae and ska. This album is such a classic, with one classic tune after another. Angry but totally upbeat at the same time, which is embodied in the two sets of vocals - angry and gruff juxtaposed with sweet and melodious. Really, these guys were brilliant. A favorite (although I like their later work even better).
Hate the clash but this isn’t a bad album for a bunch of posh boy pub rockers
A solid debut, and one of a few albums of 1977 to kick off the punk movement. Also "Police and Thieves" is the best punk song I've heard in long awhile.
fuck you i'm not listening to the fuckin clash. No wait, I was thinking of the Ramones. This was a pretty dope punk album. get at me.
Fed punk plade. Korte hurtige sure numre, med masser af energi. Kan godt blive lidt ensformig.
I loved hearing this album and feeling like some of the songs sounded like other bands or albums I heard, just because they were so influential for so many punk and punk-adjacent bands. The Clash is great
Good listen. Hadn't listened to their first album before. Very raw and full of energy. No complaints here
Levy joka on jäänyt aika vähäiselle kuuntelulle esim. Combat Rockiin ja London Callingiin verrattuna, mutta varsin mieluisaa musiikkia on tämäkin. Just nyt tuntuu että löysin uuden Clash-suosikkilevyni. Suorempaa rockia ilman myöhempien aikojen reggaevaikutteita.
Production: 12/20 Songwriting: 14/20 Innovation: 15/20 Bangers: 20/20 Emotional response: 15/20 =76 Classic
Classic. Not a real deep, meaningful album in general, but this is at the heart of so much of my favorite music.
Great but not their best album. White Riot slaps and is socially conscious
Such a solid sound for being from the '70s...just feels iconic. I've listened to a few of these songs before, but it's just such a solid Punk Rock sound. It does grow a bit tiresome , as most of the songs have the same type of sound, but I bet if I heard this is 1977 my socks would have been rocked.
This was alternative rock before alternative was even a thing. Maybe even ahead of its time, doesn't really sound like a 70's album, but it proves just how influential it was back then.
Easy to see the influence this had on the entire genre afterward! Hugely influential and sounds pretty cool. Not my favorite clash stuff but I respect the energy and enjoyed the album! I feel I should rate higher because of the influence, but after listening, it still just feels like a 4!
Bon vieux punk old school. Belles compositions, mais ne m'a pas spécialement interpellé.
Son of a gun. Why have I never listened to this all the way through? Travesty.
This is one Clash album that I never listened to, and it was really cool to see what their original sound was like. "Police and Thieves," has always been one of my favorites of theirs, but I think that was the only song I recognized off of this album. Obviously not their best album but still great Clash tunes. They've got a leftist, antiestablishment bent to them that feels like more of an inspiring call to action for change as opposed to the Sex Pistols nihilistic attitude towards everything. That makes them the quintessential first wave British punk band for me. So yeah, anything from The Clash is going to be great. Including this album.
Solid album throughout. While nothing stands out above the rest as an incredible song, it doesnt drop off at the end like some albums tend to do. Lots of the songs sounded very similar which leads to the solid throughout;
Yes some classic clash, although I prefer junior Murvin’s version of police and thieves.
Kon wel van deze punk genieten, maar vond het net niet herluisterbaar genoeg voor 5*
When I was a punk teenager, I hated the Clash. Fuckin' poser major-label rockstar sellouts, maaaaaaan. This mainly came from Crass (true punx), who sang stuff like "CBS promotes the Clash / But not for revolution, just for cash" (see also: "they say we're trash / but the name's Crass, not Clash"). Nowadays, I don't care about that stuff. But this album doesn't mean anything to me, because I never listened to it. I also still feel that their later albums (which I've heard more often) are overrated - but I will decide about those when they turn up on this list... As for this 1977 debut: it's pretty good! It's a solid punk album, but with slightly more musicianship and flare than many albums from this era of punk. The 1979 American version looks a bit bastardised, so I'm going with the original tracklist. Some of the softer moments sound like The Jam (who I LOVE), while most of it has a harder punk energy. Despite what anyone may say, the cover of Junior Murvin's "Police and Thieves" is shit. It only works until you've heard the original, which you then realise it's just an inferior imitation of. That's the sign of a shit cover version.
Are The Clash the greatest British punk band ever? The band is part of the early wave of punk rock in the late 70s. High energy as you'd expect.
Actually really enjoyed it. Punk rock is not usually my thing, but it had a great sound and the lyrics weren't half bad.
I like individual songs on this album but it's very repetitive to listen to the whole album at once
Surprisingly good. I don't usually listen to punk, but the album was really good despite the somewhat repetitive songs. Police & Thieves is also now on my private playlist :)
Album really shines after a few listens when the lyrics begin to come through to yankees like me. Classic punk with a lot to say about politics society and culture. Been a while since I listened to a full Clash album but it delivers more of a punch for me than one off listens of songs like London calling or fought the law etc. Janie Jones, Remote control, white riot, police and thieves 3.5
Clearly a super influential album and still sounds remarkably fresh today. Difficult to really imagine the impact this album had at the time now we've been subject to endless imitations
A rock solid debut from the Clash which helped to prove that punk could be a bit more what the Pistols were doing
Not quite in their stride…. This is solid 3 and a half, but I’m gonna give it a 4 coz it’s the clash!!
Great classic punk album. Tons of bangers, and I can totally see how this group influenced the future of punk.
Honestly, I thought every song sounded like every other. I can hear the roots, the inspiration, for so many other albums and artists in this one.
September 22, 2021 This was a fun energetic album and a classic for sure!
When I heard this a long time ago I thought it was a bit raw, but I can appreciate it a lot more now. The songs are catchy, the lyrics are killer “do you wanna make tea at the BBC?”, very political and of the moment. I can hear a Ramones influence in some of the songs and I like the fact that they switch up the vocals between Joe & Mick.
I was a bit young for The Clash but it is a great album if a bit lacking in production punch and consonants.
By the end, it felt longer than it actually was. However, still a good album and the first half was really melodically catchy.
The Clash as 'just' a punk band, before they spread their wings. It's much more limited in it's scope than their later output, but it does simple, 3-chord working class anger as well as any of their contemporaries did.
Short, but sweet. Definitely a preview of the punk band to come. The definitive '77 punk album (Sex Pistols need not apply.) Favorite song: Police & Thieves
Az dziwne, ze dopiero teraz wylosowalo cos od Clasha, bo jak dla mnie to wlasnie jest klasyczne brzmienie brytyjskiego punka, debiutancki album bandy z 77, na tej plycie grali w piecoosobowym skladzie, bo dwoch drumerow jest zlistowanych, tym dodatkowym jest Terry Chimes odpowiedzialny takze za produkcje wersji ukejowej, reszta sklada tu klasyczny lineup Strummer wokale i gitarka rytmiczna, Jones leadowa, Simonon basior, no i Headon, ktory na tej plycie jest tylko na 4 z 14 trakow, na reszcie gra Chimes, 14 kawalkow to sporo jak na 35 minut materialu, ale grany jest przeciez punk, wiec nie potrzeba dlugiego traka zeby zaspiewac co czlowieka drazni lub boli, a lirycznie plyta dzieki takiejilosci kawalkow jest wysoce roznorodna, znajda sie klasyczne punkerskie zawodzenia w strone establiszmentu, rzondu, czy jakiegos kraju zza wielkiej wody, rekordowych lejbeli, seksy tajmy, wikendowe anthem, songi o tym, ze robota to glupota, czy tez o jezdzeniu bez celu po londoniie, jak na londons burning, gdzie w ciekawy sposob przedstawione jest nocne miasto, glowny wokal jest wspierany przez reszte bandy w chorkowaniu, ale na kilku trakach pojawia sie takze Jones, ktory jest autorem wiekszosci tekstow, to jedna z tych plyt, ktore gdy sie slucha przemawia przez nie nostalgia, bo jednak clash byl jedna z moich pierwszych punkerskich band jakie slyszalem, instruemntalnie dosc mocno odczuwalne sa niskojakosciowe przestery na gitarkach, dlatego najprzyjemniejszym instrumentem beda jak dla mnie drumsy, ktore prowadza przez caly album, albo tez miks moze pozostawiac wiele do zyczenia, stad taka ciasnota sceny i wrazenie grania w kanciapie, niby punk, ale wydany przez majorowego lejbela CBS, nie jest to ich najlepsza plyta, ale zdecydowanie mocny debiut, na plejce mialem juz policowo thievesowy song i hate&war, wiec dodam jeszcze londons burning, career opportunities i im so bored with usa, z ciekawostki okladka byla stworzona przez polaka Rosława Szaybo, ktory w tamtych latach byl glownym dyrektorem artystycznym CBSa, wiec sporo okladek znanych artystow czy band jest wlasnie spod jego reki w tym ta z pierwszej plyty Clasha
It's not as good as Combat Rock, but I'm going to take the controversial position of saying that this is better than London Calling. More immediate, more visceral, no sappy filler. Just a great punk album.
This is it! The original punk rockers. Attitude, riffs, a driving drum groove, that's all you need. Catchy as hell too, great for a fun time. I will say, though, that punk has been greatly expanded on (dare I say, improved?) in the years since this album and it almost makes me wished they pushed the envelop even more! Either way, I can get behind this sort of sound.
69 The Clash - The Clash 14 tracks. Another exception to the rule, (can't be bothered to name their album), but it's not a patch on London Calling so maybe it's not an exception at all. It's harsh that everything else they did is compared to London Calling. 4/5
It's very impressive to listen to this album and how it sounds so new. All songs and lyrics still make sense today like when it was released. Punk is still great in the past and today.
Great album. Amazing to think this came out so close the the Sex Pistols...punk really blew up at the same time. The Clash are definitely my top 70's era punk band. 4.5/5
I'm not a massive fan of punk but I like The Clash. Think thats because you get more than one style of music in their albums. A bit of punk, reggae and rock in 35 minutes. The UK version which is on Spotify is great but isn't as good as the US, missing White Man, Clash City Rockers and I Fought the Law. Still you get White Riot, Police and Thieves and Remote Control which are fantastic songs. The good thing about having two versions is that with the quality of new songs, you would see how The Clash would improve over a couple of years. 8/10 for the UK version 9/10 for the US version
Very good band but i liked more other album of them ( give em enough rope)
Classic and iconic punk rock that has the ability to transport you right back to 1970s London. Standouts here are: • Janie Jones • Remote Control • What’s My Name • Police & Thieves
Love Career Opportunities. I already knew and loved some of these tunes - White Riot and the great cover of Police and Thieves mostly. Cool guitar on Cheat. Quite long for a punk album? Cool vocals on Protex Blue. Johnny Johnny! Ha ha. Fave Songs - Career Opportunities, Police and Thieves (always loved this).
I generally like the Clash and this album is no exception. There is something undeniably fun about their vibe
I've always thought The Clash were overrated. This album is fun and catchy enough, but nothing really impressive. Police & Thieves almost made me drop my rating to a 3, but it redeemed itself with the last two songs. 3.5/5
4-, decent album of the clash, awesome vibe, catchy melodies, I like it very much
So good! Got to be one of the most perfectly formed bands ever, nobody can talk shit about The Clash. There's something that appeals to me about it being mostly punk rock, that laser focus bands can only have on their first album. But then they signal the sort of future branching our with that awesome Police & Thieves cover later on. That said, it isn't all killer no filler like London Calling, some of the songs just aren't as good, albeit still THE CLASH, so
Really enjoyed this one. Recognised a couple of the tracks, foot-tapping fun throughout, no bad tracks.
Cheat You punk. Spelled a bit different we all know that the name band is an onomatopoeia “Crash”, it sounds remind us of it, the essence, discord, revenge, freedom and so on. Revolution it’s a thing that impost in any kind of living society and its government, anytime will do, people are strange and they have rights to be. Anyway, if you’re not to punk music, this period before the 80s, it was fulfilled around rough vocals and tiny songs, that leave a message in transit, as rapid as it can. B
Timeless band. Great suggestion! Who could forget Should I stay or should I go? NIce to hear them again on 2022
Great punk rock album. Excited to have it over the weekend to listen to multiple times.
Half the length of London Calling, The Clash's self-titled still manages to pack plenty of material in. It's all more raw, mostly meat-and-potatoes, but there's surplus aplomb and plenty of small-scale genius moments.