Reviews (page 10 of 14)
I enjoyed this so much I listened to both the UK and US versions.
I was never that fussed about The Clash. Sure, not as shite as The Sex Pistols but no way near as talented or interesting as The Jam, The Police or Elvis Costello.
Good album. Didn't know about this one.
6.5/10 This was very good at doing what it does. Angry, loud aggressive punk music with a political edge Lots of melody and the production is better than most punk I’ve heard Doesn’t really have much variation, sounds good but could be described as a bit monotone Best: White Riot
Very punchy and fun songs. I don't think I'll be coming back to this album very often except when I'm in cool good mood. My favorite song was Police and Thieves.
Quite samey but one great song - police and thieves
Debut is often less iconic than other albums
5 star straightaway with even putting it om
Крутой панк, особенно понравился кавер на рэгги
This is really well made punk, maybe it sounds even " too good"? After all, punk is not supposed to be about clever musicality, it is about raw expression of emotion (usually anger). So maybe I like the Sex Pistols better, or laer punk crossovers. But, this is a very good album and Simonon is a great and a bit of a musician's bassist.
The Clash just never ceases to amaze
I regret giving London Calling only 4/5 and this should be lower. But it’s still 4/5 for me.
One of the classic punk albums for sure, straight bangers and messages that remain relevant today
Sounds like...The Clash
Love the rawness of it
This was really enjoyable. I love the clash and I love joe strummer’ voice. While it wasn’t as creative or ambitious as London calling or combat rock, it was still a very well done punk album.
Hi energy dance rhythm and lyrical rebellion mixed with lots of dirty screaming guitar. No wonder The Clash made it so big. They may not have invented punk but they taught the world how good it can be.
I listened to London Calling a big ago, and it was by no exaggeration the best punk album I’ve listened to and perhaps one of the best rock ones ever. I expected nothing less from their debut and boy did they not disappoint. This record is filled with the same energy, catchiness, and influential lyricism on every track. For a debut, it is absolutely impeccable that they came out swinging with an idea in mind and sort of sound that stuck through all their later albums. However, I must save that 5 for London Calling, truly their best album.
Hmm. Yeah, it's very good, but it also feels just a touch generic and like they hadn't quite found their sound. Something major happens between this and London Calling to see them go much more muscular and meaningful.
Didn’t get it then, don’t get it now. Amateur singing, amateur musicianship…. Okay whatever…
YESSSSS THE CLASHHH
Love London Calling but really enjoyed this
awesum
Ghastly.
I knew a lot of these songs, but this was my first time kistening ti the full album.
Good
★★★★★★
Loved it
For anyone who likes punk, this is definitely another classic. For anyone who thinks punk is a waste of time, the bad news is that this album is no exception.
Pretty good
Pretty much the launching point for the punk movement. Everybody wanted to be 'cool' like The Sex Pistols or the Ramones but those bands wanted to be The Clash. 5/5
Foundational Punk album: the steady delivery of vocals is catchy and addictive
Previously I was only familiar with London Calling, but I loved this album. Solid hooks and great songwriting
This isn't my kind of music. That being said, it wasn't too bad.
They are not as tight as the Ramones, nor are their songs as sophisticated in their arrangement at this stage, but they do have the seeds of what would become that classic Clash punk sound. This album was definitely an influence on so much of the punk sound that would develop from the 70s up to the present. Has all the trademarks of the typical punk protest album with the predictably whiny punk lyrics that we have all come to expect. Not particularly sophisticated but can be a nice, short, noisy groove in the background. Definitely better than the debut albums by fellow compatriots Sex Pistols and The Jam. I far prefer London Calling and Combat Rock, but this is competent, even if it is a little cheesy. As a side note I would enjoy the other Mick Jones side projects following The Clash even more. Favorite tracks "London's Burning" and "Police & Thieves".
A great favorite of mine from my teenage years. Always a pleasure to relisten
A classic fave.
2.8 - Iconic sound but too much for a whole album
It’s early punk so it’s rough, poorly recorded and most of the tracks sound the same. I get this might be an important moment in musical history, but London Calling is obviously better. Fave Tracks: Police & Thieves, Garageland 2.7/5
I like "London Calling" more but there are some quintessential punk songs like 'Police and Thieves' on this album.
Punk rock
I just find early punk to be so repetitive and boring. It’s not awful if this is your thing, but 30 one minute songs that all sound like they are slightly different arrangements of the same song just isn’t my thing.
Just okay, a whole album of songs that sound like each other. No real standouts for me.
this album is not my personal favorite style but i do respect it a lot, i can see a little bit of green day in it, however im not sure who came first lol i also see some of the ramones
So good!!
Gear: Focal Clear (ZMFed) Artwork: perfekte "Stanger Things"-Poster-Requisite Mix (2013 Remaster): laut aber gar nicht mal so scheisse! Musik: Punk mag ich nich. The Clash mag ich schon. "London Calling" mag ich aber noch was lieber. Wertung: 🧷🧷🧷(🧷)/5
Got a lot of raw charm, & some top tunes
Fairly standard punk rock, much better was to come 3*
This is a proper punk album. Spiky, loud, quick paced - a really good album. Unpopular opinion but I think nits way better than London Calling.
t'was good but nothing foreign or unique to my ears
As expected, I didn't like it.
Some solid early punk. It was an enjoyable listen.
Short, raw and catchy punk ragers. It's a classic for it's influence on the genre and it's ability to display a mainstream sensibility while still maintaining a "punk image", even IF that image was a bit of a front. For the time, this record had other factors to propel it forward. Nowadays however, it feels a bit too basic and doesn't really match up to their later efforts.
noch keine top hits
Loved the raw energy of this first album. London Calling gets the accolades, but I prefer this album.
Good album and an essential one I. The history of punk rock. Just not their best album
I first heard the US 1979 version of this album back in the early 90s, probably. My sister dubbed it onto a cassette for me. So hearing the original version is weird, because the order is different from what I expect, along with some of the songs are different. Still, what a great punk statement. So many of the songs aren't even 3 minutes long, but they don't feel so short. Probably "Deny" and "Protex Blue" I am not as familiar with because they were not on the US version, but I'm digging on them, they feel like new Clash songs to me. The only band that matters? Maybe, maybe not. But still, a great punk album.
One of the first and greatest punk albums from a band that didn't always want to be known as punk. It's funny - there are short songs (most around 2 minutes) and one long one (6 minutes) and you don't even really notice. The album is that seamless. And it contains everything that came to be known with punk - simple, punchy beats (but well-arranged and melodic), snarly, flawed vocals (but does the trick), and clever lyrics that run the gamut from angsty to political to tongue-in-cheek to irreverent to anti-authority (anti-many things). Such a fun, rocking album. Favorite songs were Janie Jones, Remote Control, White Riot, Hate & War, London's Burning, Cheat, Police & Thieves, and Garageland. But the whole thing was great, not a single song I disliked.
There's a scent of cigarettes, cheap beer, and the feeling of saliva spit in your face from a small club when listening to this band. I don't love punk, but it seems so much better when the Clash are doing it. Raw, edgy, not perfect...but it works! This album pulls you into wanting to jump in the mosh pit and risk serious injury...even at an old age.
Punk isn’t a high rated genre for me but I really enjoy The Clash. This album is no exception, it’s listenable and carries solid energy without getting aggressive.
No "big" hits, but still a great album.
lord thanks for them
good classic rock album but not really my kind of thing and somewhat repetitive faves = police & thieves and 48 hours
the clash the clash 1977 janie jones: 7.5/10 remote control: 9/10 i'm so bored with the u.s.a: 6/10 white riot: 7.5/10 hate & war: 8/10 what's my name: 7/10 deny: 6/10 london's burning: 7.5/10 career opportunities: 8/10 cheat: 7/10 protex blue: 6/10 police & thieves: 9/10 48 hours: 7/10 garageland: 7/10 overall rate: 7.3/10
It’s all just so similar and so simply written it doesn’t leave anything interesting unless you really like the straightforward punk sound. 4/10
The vocals on this aren't great. I could hardly understand the lyrics half the time and that takes me out of the listening experience. The band is great though.
Great energy. Reminds me of Operation Ivy.
This is The Clash at their Punkiest. I like the way their sound eventually evolved away from pure Punk but this is their debut so the raw explosiveness is here in abundance. 'Janie Jones', 'White Riot' & 'Police & Thieves' are reall good. I struggle to connect with some of the other songs though. It feels like you had to be there in 1977 to really appreciate the impact of the UK punk scene. Looking back over 45 years later it's hard to get too excited by this raucous rock music. 3 Stars (8/15)
That’s some good, angry, head bashin, old school punk. Slashing guitar, banging drums, and fast paced screaming vocals. Don’t remember any of these songs as stand outs, (songs are all pretty similar) but all identifiable as The Clash. Strong finish with Police & Thieves, 48 Hours, and Garageland. Great debut effort, like it more now than in 77. (3.8*s)
This album is a classic and deserves to be on the list. You can feel the genuine anger and the attitude is a whole vibe that can't be faked, what a time. I wish I was there to hear this in the 70's. Full of anthems, grit, and raw energy. Actually liked the take on "Police & Thieves" too. This one is timeless and a fun listen.
The Clash made punk approachable to the masses and this album deserves the list. I like Strummer's brit drawl and delivery. Songs are not very complex but are cleaned up enough so they don't sound too amateur garage. Weird that they released a US version of the album 2 years later with different track listing. Think we might see some more of these guys...2.6.
I was surprised how little of the signature sound and attitude from The Clash is on this. I didn't realize how relatively tame the early punk scene was. I'm sure it was iconic upon release for reasons I don't know but not sure what stands out about this album. It's an OK listen to nowadays but nothing I need to revisit. Pretty forgettable for the most part. Not what I expected. Felt way longer than 35 mins for some reason. 2.05 stars
Snively. No thanks. 1.92
Good not great. 3-4 stars. Rounded up.
Love early punk, and this one from the UK is pretty good. Skate videos may have been my intro to these so I am biased to the sounds. Def need to be in the mood for it though.
I was expecting better, tbh! All sounds a bit samey, and, dare I say, flat! Didn't really enjoy it much.
Only 3 stars? It's raw, angry and energetic which is the point, but listening in full It's not a great album. I was too young for punk so got into it retrospectively. What I love about The Clash is how they developed, wrote great songs and crossed over with reggae. 'Police and Thieves' is the only one I Iove here and it's a cover. This album was their starting point and was part of a movement that changed movement, culture and attitudes so brilliantly. Their second and third albums are so much better though! U2, Green Day, The Libertines and loads more stemmed from The Clash but as 1977 debut punk albums go this is a long way behind The Pistols and The Damned. P.S. this came out a few months before Pretty Vacant, I think they stole the riff from 'I'm So Bored'!
Blimey these guys didn’t start out all that great?! The groundwork for their future success and best stuff is there, but this definitely doesn’t really have the magic of their classics. Similarly to with Sonic Youth, I didn’t find myself convinced by the vocals, and the instrumentals to match felt a bit weaker, hence the lower rating. I am also wanting to hear some punk on this list that feels more angry and passionate!! With Zack De La Rocha of Rage Against The Machine, for example, you can really feel his burning frustration through his voice! I want that!
It’s alright. Decent early punk but nothing blew me away, I think their later stuff is better.
Maybe punk music just isn’t that important?
Enjoyed but not my favorite Clash album, might have to give another listen
An all timer. Every track is a classic and most still resonate today.
I appreciate The Clash for their significance in punk and alt rock, I like a lot of theirs songs but have trouble sitting through an entire album of theirs. This one is alright.
I can’t remember what it was like. It’s been too long. On to the next one.
A very formative album for me
yup. that sure is the clash
Classic
The Clash to me have this energy and style where it makes ya just want to go out get drunk and party.
If all punk was like this. I’d probably be a massive fan of punk. Lovely to find some more musically focussed punk rather than sticking some obnoxious tweeb in front of a microphone ruining everything 4.5
Classic
Not at all bad, I prefer their slightly later stuff but the fondness for melody and interest in exploring beyond punk (eg reggae) is here to see amongst the more straightforward noisy stuff. Proper punk and I'm glad to have heard it.
Not my favourite album of theirs but White Riot is a classic and I’m not going to moan about getting 35 minutes of Joe Strummer in my ears.
This doesn't get boring - it fizzes with excitement the whole time.
great album very playable listened to it a few times
This is a good punk album. The first few songs are great. I thought this would be much, much worse. Like with most punk bands, Strummer couldn't sing. I don't hate punk but the last few tracks were underwhelming. 3 stars for "Self Titled."
Childish, but the album is about 50 years old. I could see myself being into it as an American 15 years old.
the clash are such an important band to me. they were the first punk and first political band i ever got into. they opened up the door for me in terms of punk music, and i genuinely learned a lot about the history of late 70s uk and just punk in general by getting into them. London Calling is their masterpiece of course, but their self-titled is easily my second fave. there are a few songs on here that i think are just fine, but most are the fucking best. Police & Thieves, I’m So Bored, Career Opportunities, the list goes on. classic. i’m saving my 5 for London Calling, but this gets a 4.5 in my book.
This is a top album, a true classic, and one where every track hits. The Clash’s debut album feels like the blueprint for British punk. It captures the energy, attitude, and urgency of the time perfectly. It’s raw, fast, and direct, but there’s also a sharpness to the songwriting that lifts it above a lot of other punk records from the same era. Tracks like White Riot and Remote Control are punk at its absolute best, full of aggression and purpose, but still tight and memorable. The whole album moves at pace and never really lets up, which is exactly what you want from a record like this. Favourite track: White Riot, fast, aggressive, and completely iconic Least favourite track: London’s Burning, still good but doesn’t hit the same level as the rest Album artwork: Iconic, simple and instantly recognisable
I understand it is a classic but it just hurt my ears. I don't think I am into punk.
Prefer London calling!
Not too bad
Great album!
2 hours of sleep this day. Gotta give it that relisten but I liked what I heard…I think
not the best Clash album, but it’s still pretty great and an essential piece of music history. it’s super influential for early punk and we don’t get a lot of what comes after this if The Clash never existed. it’s definitely of its time but that doesn’t mean it has no merits
I was previously familiar with The Clash but not this album. I have to say the music is fine, but the songs kind of all sound the same to me. One of the things I like about London Calling is that the songs are fairly highly varied. I don't really get that as much from this. So this is just ok for me.
I'm having a hard time because I loved this album and want to give it a 5. However, it is not as good as London Calling which is obviously a 5 which then makes me think how can this be a 5 if something is much better is also a 5. Therefore a am giving it a 4 but a high 4.
I've listened to Combat Rock and London Calling a lot. I'm a big fan of The Clash and I enjoyed this album! I'm not sure quite how to describe it, but they're a punk band that has taken the hard edges off? I have had a hard time with the grungier and harder albums on this playlist, but The Clash don't have whatever qualities turn me off from those. I liked this album less than CR and LC, but it was a good listen. No stand-out songs to report, but I enjoyed having it on. I think a 35m album with songs between 2 and 3m long is my ideal. 8/10
Shite!! I now have headache!!
Yeah, they were very, very popular. Personally, I could never take to their music. With every album on 1,001 I do always listen to each track.
I feel like their other stuff deserves to be on this list way more.
Pretty good but .
Британский панк-рок с примесью нью-вейва. Очень в хорошем смысле пьяная музыка, самобытная.
Every new song: “Wow I have heard this before.” I have never listened to the Clash.
Not my kinda music, but I respect it. Actually really good album.
That's it
hey hey hey hey... a bit hyper and other songs felt repetitive. Remote Control was the only one that I liked.
Very punk, not as polished as their stuff after this though.
Love the rock sound, don’t really like the vocals.
From start to finish, an amazing album. Every song is a classic. Great hooks, great production, great words. Undeniably one of the most important and influential albums in the evolution of rock to follow. The easiest 5 so far.
It's the Clash. It's classic, iconic, and punk to its core. Very deserving of this list and much better than most of the other punk that's been on offer
Nice bit of punk
This might be a perfect record and one of my favorite debuts of all time. The Clash come out snarling and are relentless for the next 35 minutes. There are so many great tracks on this my sleeper favorite is probably Police and Thieves.
janie jones remote control hate & war deny cheat garageland
Good early punk, not their best album though
Eh
I admittedly didn't listen to this in the best of circumstances. I had it on in the background while playing a board game. However, I've also had many times in my life where I initially fell in love with an album that I was passively listening to. I listened to this album twice all the way through without even realizing it. Not a single song was remarkable enough to catch my attention such that I would notice it was playing a second time. That is the epitome of a 3 star album to me. Pleasant enough to listen to twice, but not remarkable enough to leave a distinct impression.
I love this band. This album is incredibly solid front to back. It's not as eclectic as London Calling, but it makes it back by being more even and great throughout. They rarely fall behind the energy in their songs, and bring in fresh sounds, hooks, melodies, etc. to leave their signature on every song.
Didn't like this the first time around, but listening to it again I'm starting to come around to it. Pretty good and fun album, but still a bit pop-ish for my tastes.
Seriously classic, tho not my favorite album of theirs. I had, and still have issues with the density of their accents.. ha. It's a little too fast sounding too.. so due to my nitpicking critiques I give a harsh 3 stars only. I'll listen to it again today and see if that changes it to a4. Yeah def a4!
Not played this in a while. So good
Call me crazy but I really don't care for the The Clash. Mid instrumentation in my opinion and the vocals are just very grating.
yeah baby this is a classic!! 5/5
4 stars
Overall... Pretty good. Some of the guitar work was lack luster, but the attitude was brilliant.
Classic. Surprised it wasn’t London’s Calling. Maybe that will be later on this list.
I like the next one better
I grew up hating bands like The Clash. It was the late 90s/early 90s and punk had become mainstream so the edge of bands like this seemed manufactured and forced because that's what record labels had started pumping out. Now that I'm 20+ years removed from that time, this music is great. It's energetic, it's got a cause. I love it. I was moving to the music the whole way through.
A solid debut from The Only Band That Matters. Their melodies and musicianship were head and shoulders above those of their contemporaries. And frequently, unapologetically political, as great punk music often is. But their truly great work is still ahead of them. Highlights: Janie Jones, White Riot, What's My Name, Police & Thieves
This was an interesting album. Always enjoy the clash even if they aren’t one of my favorites
I found it good but slightly bland
finally some good fucking food
It's punk. The instrumentals are often amazing but the vocals leave much to be desired. Still, not the worse punk album I've ever heard.
Though not my favorite Clash album, it's one of my favorites. Straightforward punk with a hunt of that Jamaican influence. The only band that matters.
Would it be fair to say not their best?
This is required listening for anyone who likes punk.
Yes I owned this album when it was current (the US version). But I was more of a Jam fan than the Clash. But I also liked the Clash more than the Sex Pistols. It isn’t meant as a slam, really. But this album kind of fell by the wayside for me, hadn’t gotten listened to very often through the years. It’s a shame really, because this is a great record, still grabs you 25+ years later. This was certainly an “important” record, a genre defining record. The high points are REALLY high, and everything is solid. Everything is high energy. Quick and punchy, 14 songs in 35 minutes. Joe strummer isn’t my favorite vocalist, that’s really my only gripe. I do prefer the US version, especially the addition of singles Clash City Rockers and (White Man) in Hammersmith Palais. But that’s minor. This certainly belongs on the “albums you need to hear” list. It’s not perfect, but close enough to round up. 5/5
One of my favourites!
A great 70s punk album
Rocking
A straight up, roots of punk rock, masterpiece. Hugely influential band and album. No skips, just great songs.
Amazing. Pure unfiltered energy from the very first track until the end of the 35min album. Great lyrics showing unusually progressive ideas of the band members for those times. The sound is punky and chaotic and yet there’s so much interesting stuff going on musically in the background, it must have really made them stand out back in the day. London Calling is probably among my top 10 records ever and this one is not as good, not as polished and innovative but I think it shows better the spirit of London music scene in late 1970s. You can’t stop singing along to White Riot!
ok
solid punk rock album
its alright 3/5
Dig the Clash
It's fine. Nothing special to my ears. Pretty generic punk sound.
The clash, what more can be said.
I liked it
The only band that matters.
# 231 : Yeah, Nah!
Good album, wasn't what I expected when I first heard it
The Clash
Yes
I forgot to post my review and lost it. Stand-out: Hate & War
Trashiger Punk Rock.
You know, if I had a nickel for every time in the past week that I got one of the greatest prog rock albums of all time immediately followed by a 70s English punk album with a hint of reggae influence, I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice. However, while Cut by The Slits, as solid of an album as it is, isn't generally considered one of the greatest punk albums of all time, the debut album from The Clash is. The Clash is one of the most iconic and important punk bands out there, or so I've heard. After listening to this album, I can see why. This is a damn good album right here. I enjoyed it. There's a decent amount of variety here, which in an early punk album is practically a godsend. In terms of sound, the tone is consistent but not repetitive. When it comes to lyrics, while there are common themes throughout the album, each song doesn't feel like a rehashing of the last one. The sound, by the way, is quite good. I actually like the singing! I really like the guitar tone. The bass and drums get their jobs done perfectly. For some reason, this album feels longer than it actually is. I don't know why, but this just felt a bit longer than 35 minutes for some reason. That isn't a bad thing though. There's good messages in this album. There's even a cover of a reggae song that fits perfectly into the album! Overall, I really like this album. It is definitely one of the better punk albums I've gotten so far. High 4/5. I'm probably gonna save the 5 for London Calling, whenever I get it.
never bad but nothing stood out at all
There are not actually that many classic debuts, especially from bands that go on to have a multi-album career. This is one
I should have listened to this without having listened to everything that came out later. It’s hard to appreciate the shock after it’s passed.
Fun, high energy! 4/5
OK
Punk. 4
Never was a big fan of The Clash, but I understand the interest, 2 stars
A fine entry but not something I would listen to again
The Clash’s The Clash is a loud mess. I was extremely disappointed by this album, as the band was proclaimed to be exceptional, this album genre-defining. To be fair, I shouldn’t have expected much when that genre is punk. While it’s not terrible, no song provides any value. Some are better than others, but they are all better left unheard of. Maybe one of their newer albums will fare better. All in all, The Clash is a bad album. Best Song: London's Burning Worst Song: Protex Blue
One helluva debut album!
Sometimes I think it’s important that we know ourselves. One thing I know about myself is that I don’t really care for punk music en masse. I recognize that this is thought of as an important album in regards to punk rock. I understand. One of the first times that punk had multiple singles that stood out on. Charts. I understand that this is the debut for an iconic group. that I just don’t really care for it. It’s the genre, not the execution. Honestly, had MTV come out a little bit sooner, I would have probably thought this was a great album as well. They just needed to put a few cool videos to it. problem solved.
01) Janie Jones - 8,5 02) Remote Control - 8,0 03) I'm So Bored with the USA - 8,0 04) White Riot - 8,5 05) Hate and War - 8,0 06) What's My Name - 8,0 07) Deny - 7,5 08) London's Burning - 7,5 09) Career Opportunities -7,5 10) Cheat - 7,0 11) Protex Blue - 7,0 12) Police and Thieves - 8,5 13) 48 Hours - 8,0 14) Garageland - 7,5 TOTAL: 7,82 (78/100) Current Ranking: 77/172 I prefer "London Calling", maybe because it sounds a bit less punk. The songs are short, which is a good thing, but after a few songs, they all start to sound the same.
eminal first album. Good all around, although I thin Sandinista is better.
God this sound is so boring to me. Music is so much better now its crazy
Melodic-punk, if that makes sense. Singing is pretty decent too. Song writing is interesting. Probably one of the best punk albums I've listened to (much better than The Ramones). Good bass playing.
great album
Essential
Liked it but not really my cup of tea
"The Clash" is the debut album by English punk rock band the Clash. It is considered one of the greatest punk rock albums of all time. The album was recorded over three weekends in London and Beaconsfield, England. The Clash was Joe Strummer (vocals, guitar, piano), Mick Jones (vocals, guitars), Paul Simonon ( bass) and drummers Terry Chimes and Topper Headon. Headon would become their permanent drummer. Commercially, the album reached #12 in the UK and #126 in the US (A US version was not released until 1979). Pounding drums, guitars slashes, the band kicks in and we're off with "Janie Jones." Fast, punk and a great vocal chorus. A regular guy is losing his job but he is in love with getting drunk and stoned and Janie Jones (who appears to be someone who can satisfy his needs). The band shows their pop'-punk melodic side in "Remote Control." Jones and Strummer on co-lead vocals. They go after beaurocrats, the police, big business and record companies. The first single was "White Riot." More fast punk with nifty guitars and a solo too. They join in a riot with black people, realize they don't fit in and need their own riot. Strummer's screaming the song title of "London's Burning" highlight the song as they have no place to go and are bored with driving around watching TV. "Career Opportunities" starts off sounding very similar to their contemporaries at the time, the Ramones. We get the Joe Strummer snarl. They're attacking the political and economics in London at the time. The band really changes things up with their cover of the reggae song "Police and Thieves." At six minutes, it is like three minutes longer than any other song. The bass is prominent. The pace is slower. Echoing guitars and a guitar solo. This is a great cover. "Garageland" closes the 14-song album. Some more driving punk. It's got a bouncey beat and what sounds like a harmonica. This is a response to a critic who said that this garage band should return to the garage. The band cranks through this album with mostly short punk songs. They're melodic and catchy. Sometimes the subject matter is political and social commentary and other times they're just bored with life. Their albums would, of course, become more varied but this is the album where they stayed focus in the punk rock roots. Shoot, they're creating the roots. A great debut album and a must have.
You can definitely hear the hints of what would become the iconic Clash sound. The album lacked that high energy, wanna dance punk vibe that other Clash tracks emit. It was meh.
Super Duper
It's The Clash—classic, raw, honest Punk.
More guitars. More terrible singing. Would give a two and a half if I could just like I would have done the ramones
Salright
I don’t get the hype. I enjoyed Police and Thieves though
Good album
Two Clash albums back to back. Not a bad week. Maybe it’s because London Calling is perfect that this felt a bit lesser than. It’s not bad. There’s some great tunes. But it’s no London Calling. 4/5
Really hard to understate the magic between Jones and Strummer, the melodic and the brash, the rock and the punk. The bounce between those two pillars is what made The Clash the “only band that matters”, and it’s still amazing how hard some of these tracks on their debut hit. It often feels like the only thing holding everything together is a tried and true rhythm section. Bolstered by their affection for not just classic pop-rock songs, but also by the burgeoning reggae genre, The Clash’s s/t still feels like punk at its very best. Hard to not be excited by a band that has a song like Police & Thieves on one hand, and White Riot on the other. Legendary stuff from one of my favorite bands.
OG
4/5
was the beginning of the punk invasion of smash music
God I love The Clash.
Ultimately this album just didn't do it for me. I'm a fan of punk and recognize that the Clash are a major part of popularllizing the genre but they have better albums than this. None of the songs stood out as genre defining and much of it melted together sound wise. I will continue listening to The Clash but probably not this album.
Wasn't interested in a fair number of the songs, but it still had some hitters.
Please enunciate your words better. I don't even care if I can't understand them just please stop sounding like you're vomiting I have misophonia please
A legendary first half. Some of the best punk tunes. I really wanted to give this a 5, but as it went on, the 5 turned to 4, and the 4 turned to 3. The second half is pretty weak and boring to me the more it goes on. Outside of "Cheat" nothing in the second half really shone
Like it 3/5
London Calling is better but it’s not like there’s lots to hate on this album and honestly I, too, am bored with the USA. I do really like Police & Thieves, probably more than I ever did.
A rather embarrassing fact about me is that I cannot understand a British accent at all. I know it sounds fake – a lot of my friends think at first that I'm bullshitting them, especially because I'm mostly okay with an Irish or Scottish accent, and accents in general, too – but it's 100% an auditory processing issue. I don't know why, but a British accent sounds like mud in my ears. That's important, because I literally had a hard time understanding this album, and this has always been my issue with The Clash. I should like this band more than I do. Of the first ✨big✨ punk bands, I think The Clash had a bigger impact on the direction and sound of punk, not only in the UK but in the States, too. (Literally who is doing The Ramones or The Sex Pistols today? It's all based on The Clash, and this album, or earlier proto-punk bands.) But this record just does not impact me like I want it to. Even when a song is 2 minutes long, somehow, The Clash makes it sound like it goes on forever. Politically, I agree with them, but when I read the lyrics, it feels kind of underwritten, especially given their reputation as a lyrical band. And again, I cannot for the life of me understand the vocals at all. I like that it's not entirely aggro but still always has edge, but sometimes there's also too much breathing room on a track. I like the influence of reggae, but they also seem to be doing it a disservice, somehow. And these things are all distractions I can't get over. And believe me, I really want to like this album. I would like a song, like "Career Opportunities," and favorite it on Spotify, and then it goes into the Oi! breakdown, and it loses me, and I'd unlike it. I did this for over half the album – a pump fake 4 star record, if you will, where little choices would get under my skin and turn me off completely. It does lose some steam in the last leg, sure, but for most of this, I truly think this is a "me issue." I don't hate it, but I would never revisit this for any reason. Is it important? Yes. Is it essential listening? Yes. Does it belong on the list? Absolutely. But do I personally enjoy it? Unfortunately, I think the answer is no. Simply put, I just think, for some weird reason that goes against my tastes, The Clash are not for me.
I literally wore a clash shirt this week haha. And I don’t know the band that well so this is good.
Rock and punk fusion at its very best. Full of both angst and joy simultaneously…singable. Stands the test of time.
Like a barely more understandable Ramones. Not a compliment
Classic punk. Good album.
35 minutes of punk perfection.
I kind of like Garageland
good punk album with some great tracks, good debut for the band
I liked this but it didn’t blow me away. None of the songs were familiar.
This was a very important debut album, and like the Ramones debut caused quite a stir, but it’s nowhere near as good as London Calling, or maybe even Combat Rock. I am more familiar with the US version with I Fought the Law, even owning the initial edition that came with a bonus 7” single. Sold that for $16 seven years ago. Solid, but not that great.
Didn’t dislike this as much as I would have in the 70s but nevertheless it was quite a racket and not something I would choose to listen to again. A meagre 2*
Solid 4.
Classic punk rock
Yeah it's okay
Álbum pioneiro de punk. O som da guitarra é bem "cru", tem pouco efeito e distorção; e os ritmos das músicas são um pouco devagar demais, distante do punk mais agressivo e energético que estou mais habituado à ouvir. É interessante, porém, que as vezes as músicas se parecem muito com um reggae/ska (da pra ouvir bem na levada da música "Police & Thieves", inclusive uma das melhores do álbum).
The Clash – The Clash Janie Jones – 5 Remote Control – 4 I'm So Bored with the U.S.A – 4 White Riot – 5 Hate & War – 4.5 What’s My Name – 4 Deny – 4 London’s Burning – 5 Career Opportunities – 5 Cheat – 5 Protex Blue – 4 Police & Thieves – 5 48 Hours – 4 Garageland – 4.5 Average – 4.5⭐ One of the Best punk albums ever created 👍
I was in my mid 20’s and still a Prog Rock only when punk came along. As part of the punk rebellion was partly directed at people like me I initially resisted it and enjoyed how it was ridiculed and dismissed in the general media. But I couldn’t ignore what I read about in the music press. The Clash were the darlings of the NME. A bit more refined than the Sex Pistols and much more political. When I think of the Clash I always also think of the UK inner city riots and the general malaise in the UK at the time. I did not agree with a lot of what The Clash stood for but as someone who tried to appreciate all types of music I did eventually succumb and bought this album on vinyl. I did not like it then and still do not like it but I cannot deny that it deserves its place on this list and understand why so many will put it at the top of their favourites. Listening now it sounds very naive, hollow and lacking substance. But I cannot forget this was how and why punk came along. Simple structures most people with a mind to could play themselves. A direct opposite to the music I enjoy then and now. As The Clash grew their future albums offered a lot more to me. Not personal favourites but a whole lot better than this one. It’s difficult for me to rate this album as I dislike it but cannot ignore the place it has in popular music and it will always be regarded as something at the vanguard of punk, an important musical chapter. 1 (but 3 because of its musical importance)/5 10/4/24
Classic Punk-Rock, but doesn't come close to London Calling.
bleh
Oh, man, I love The Clash, but as good as it may be, this album I put in a solid 3rd place after London Calling and Combat Rock. Still, excellent punkness.
A collection of short uninteresting songs
A great debut. A great album. A great band.
Really solid early punk. Not The Clash's best album, but an important one in the history of the genre. Favourite songs: Protex Blue, White Riot, Career Opportunities, I'm So Bored With the U.S.A., 48 Hours, London's Burning, Deny, Police & Thieves Least favourite songs: Garageland 5/5
Good, but not my style. Can't see myself going back to this one.
A great, classic punk album
This week in 1001 albums has been much like the 70s, in that there's been a lot of interminable prog rock, and then punk has come along at the end as a necessary corrective.
The Clash I haven’t listened to this for a long time. I had it on CD, but I think I had the US version with the different track listing. Some of those additions were great, like White Man in Hammersmith Palais and I Fought the Law, but it doesn’t necessarily feel like an album the way he original UK version does. The first 6 songs are fantastic, Janie Jones, I’m So Bored with the USA, White Riot and What’s My Name in particular. Deny isn’t great, there’s not much interesting happening musically or lyrically. It picks back up with Career Opportunities, dipping again with Cheat and Protex Blue before Police & Thieves, 48 Hours and Garageland end things back on a high. It’s similar to I Should Coco in its exciting dynamic exuberance, everything going past at a breakneck speed. And similar to Supergrass they had an audible set of influences that pushed them beyond the majority of their peers, those rockabilly and reggae elements in particular. Having a songwriting duo as talented as Strummer and Jones and having an arranger and musician as interesting as Jones was also a big point of difference as well. Although Simonon’s bass playing was relatively rudimentary on this he really drives the songs forward, and you can hear echoes of what his playing would evolve into when Topper Headon joined. Listening to this really reminded me why I loved the Clash and has sent me down a Clash wormhole for the first time in ages. It is a great album, and a great punk album, even if many of the songs aren’t actually what you might think of as punk from 45 years remove. There probably aren’t many of the first round of punk albums that can match this, along with Never Mind the Bollocks. Perhaps musically and song-wise it’s closer to a 4 but culturally and historically it’s certainly a 5, so it pretty much is dead on between a 4 and a 5. London Calling will definitely be a 5, so should this be a 4, or should I just round up because The Clash are great - Should I 4 or Should I 5? Sod it, a snotty two fingered 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️
The platonic ideal of a seminal punk rock album. Abrasive yet incredibly melodic. Shouty and yet high-class in its execution. Topical and yet constantly fun and entertaining. There's not a single dud in this legendary debut, whether in its original UK version or its later US release. The Clash may have left its mark on pop culture through the more professional-sounding *London Calling*--when they started exploring a vast array of styles for the benefit of more general audiences--yet this first album is the essential matrix from which they started. Which is why selecting one of these two LPs and not the other doesn't make a shred of sense. 5 stars. Number of albums left to review: more than 200, approximately - I've temporarily lost count here. Number of albums I'll include in my own list: half so far, approximately (including this one) Number of albums I *might* include: a quarter, approximately Number of albums I'll never include: another quarter, or just a little more (many other albums are more important to me)
They for sure got better but this is a pretty solid first album. They sound well put together and meld almost perfectly for being so early in their career.
Impressive production for an early punk album. The sound is closer on the spectrum to rock and roll. I really enjoyed this listened through a few times
Good debut album for this band not the level of London calling yet but certainly not bad...
The Clash is definitely one of the most important bands in history, but I don't think this first album really quite captured them yet. All the songs sound the same and it's not all that interesting.
Rough. Raw. Not pretty. Game changer.
A more laid back (?) punk album than I’ve previously heard from them. Not a huge Clash fan, but I enjoyed this album. Low 4
BANGER TRAS BANGER. De Remote Control hasta What's My Name es un 5 song run brutal. 10/10
Coloquei a expectativa muito alta e acabou sendo um pouco mais monótono que eu esperava. Fave: I'm so bored with the u.s.a
Just so much more interesting than anything being made at the time.
Punky
The only album that matters
Pendiente por escuchar.
favourite song: janie jones the clash are good arent they! probably not my favourite record of theirs but still a lot of fun. always impressed when an album opener is the best song but the album still doesnt drag.
Could it be... Punk? Yes it is. I don't like it. 2/10
Probably as good as punk gets for me :/
14 songs in 35 minutes? That’s hot
Whoever said punk is dead is wrong because I can still listen to music from the 70s
I didn't get on board with The Clash until "Combat Rock". I've never gone back to explore there other albums. Not sure why, just stuck with the hits. This one was OK. Nothing to exciting for me.
Not as good as I remembered it to be! A bit of a school ground racket
nahhhh
I assume this is supposed to be the original British release, which is great despite the later US release including “Complete Control”, “(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais”, “I Fought the Law”, and a new version of “White Riot”, all some of The Clash’s best songs up until the release of London Calling. The Clash excelled at making covers their own. “I Fought the Law” is a great example of this, but “Police & Thieves” is a song that really fits in with the rest of Joe Strummer & Mick Jones’ repertoire.
Musically it wasn’t my cup of tea back in the 70’s and it’s still not my thing today. The album itself was a true reflection of the discontent of the day. Most definitely deserves its place in the 1001.
好
An incredible start from the Clash. It's so funny that they're reduced to just being a punk band when their music is so much more than that. The Clash is a combination of a lot of different musical ideas expressed with protest songs and political commentary (which might be why the band is considered punk). This record, while not their best, is super fun and fantastic to listen to.
Truly classic punk album, no doubt. Heard every song and it will take you way back.
Yuck, just noise!
Imagining Fred Armisen singing this album to me
Never was a fan. This album didn't change my opinion.
4.0
Every song sounds the same
Better than the other clash album I listened to, but after a few songs, it was hard to tell them apart. A lot of similar sounding songs.
This is one of the greatest rock albums of all time. All killer, no filler.
Just straight up rock!
varhaista punkkialbumia, vielä 70-luvulla, tuntuu vielä aidolta eikä kommersiaali kakalta miihinä SUURIN OSA GENRESTÄ ON ALISTUNUT... bändin myöhempi musiikki vitusti parempaa, mtta huomaa miten tämä päällystänyt tien tulevaisuudelle... jalkojenkostuutusesque..x ihan perus.. rupee yliarvostamaan... skaalalla on kolme janie jones
Feel like they have better albums
Album énergique et plutôt sympathique !
A true punk classic! There is not much more to say.
As a person who does consider themselves a punk aficionado, I can say that I never quite get into the gibberish yelling and harsh guitars. I understand the value of this, but I cannot fully appreciate it. I will have to revisit one day
I liked the songs Janis Jones and Career Opportunities. It was a good album but will say that a lot of the songs sound the same.
Tämä on aika prototyyppilevy, siis perustuksien valaja -mielessä. Jyrää eteenpäin biisi biisiltä punkrockina, mutta jokainen biisi on erilainen. Hyvät sanoitukset. En ole aivan taivaissa, mutta nautin.
Molemmilla puolilla on pienet suvantonsa. Loput on rokkia, jota parempaa saa hakea. 4,5
I own this one. It's not my favorite Clash record but it represents something about the punk movement.
For a rockin' punk band with an unsubtle political stance, this album is really, really boring. It's not bad, but I have absolutely no feelings for it whatsoever. At least this band would go on to make some actual great music. Best Song: Janie Jones Worst Song: Police and Thieves Underrated Gem: idfk uhhh Career Opportunities i guess Punk Reggae: Police and Thieves Album Score: 4/10
british to its core! also an album cover ive seen a lot and the music is great. Nothing i would listen a lot but its a solid album that can be played through without having the urge to skip a song imo.
I’ve never run thru this one before. It’s The Clash, I like The Clash and it was a quick hitter with no duds. Police and Thieves is fantastic, not sure how I missed that one. 4 stars
I can respect that it is a progenitor of punk but most of the songs are duds.
Сырое такое, на стыке с рок-н-роллом, панк мессиво из Британии. Кайфец.
grounge
First time hearing this group - will listen to more.
👍🏾
A punk rock classic. While I prefer the more fully-formed punk that followed soon after, it is tough to dislike these gleeful rockers. I miss some of the hits on the US release.
Solid clash album. Not my favorite one but atill good
ekki fyrir mig ...
consistent, not bad but not particularly interesting either. classic punk but missing actually catchy songs
I was looking forward to this, but it turned out to be rather dull and uninspiring. Even the tracks I thought I knew turned out to be lacklustre versions. Not great = two stars.
Better than I expected!
Despite being considered a classic punk album, I wasn’t a fan of their voices and the lack of organization in their sound
Maybe the most hardcore album the Clash ever recorded. Raw, fiery, intense yet so solid. To think it gets better in two years when they released an absolute masterpiece. But this is a good start.
6.5/10
Not my cup of tea
A classic, I really like this whole album. I feel like its best listened to in its entirety rather by single.
I definitely enjoyed the album, it was a fun casual listen.
It was OK, not my favorite Clash album.
Janie Jones & Police & Thieves are 2 of my favorite songs of all time.
I like the raw, unfiltered attitude and garage band vibe their early stuff has. You really get the sense that they're blowing off steam together. Police & Thieves was a standout, being a reggae cover, so it's funny knowing that the creators of the song hated their punk rock interpretation (though Bob Marley was a fan). The harmonica in the final song was a nice surprise and I would have loved to hear more of it.
Heard of the clash but haven’t really listened. Good vibes on first song. High 3.
Punk del bueno!!
Repetitive