Reviews (page 2 of 13)
awesome!!😎
One of my all time favourite albums. Love it.
A seminal piece of my history and punk history.
Canciones cortas, el "pogo-punk" autentico, sin florituras. Un clásico, si señor.
Легенда рока, но сравнится с вторым великим альбомом великой панк-рок группы шлюхи
I imagine it was cool to watch them in the clubs back in the 70’s. I like the shorter songs and the speed. Great album.
It's disappointing that the US version is not the definitive version of this record. It HAS to start with Clash City Rockers! The six songs added to the US, including I fought the law, push it over the top to 5 stars. The UK version is 3 at best. Maybe the only instance ever where the record company actually knew more than the band. Yeah I know the chronology is weird (I think I fought the law was actually recorded after the second album was released). Still.
Fucking belter
As punk as it gets
Un disco muy bueno me recuerda a los Ramones!
Nicce
Punk good sound loved the album
This is the best I have heard in this list so far. Amazing record I had heard some songs from it but it is 10/10 top to bottom.
Super Dope
Enjoying the sounds from the first song “Janie Jones”, not a huge punk listener typically. Fast songs with a bit of 50/60’s oldies style, it seems. Fun listen! I’d revisit this album and I’ve added 2 songs to my random playlist!
It's loud, it's rough, it's short - kurz genug dass man noch mal eben ein 6 minütiges Reggae Cover drauf schmeißen kann. No notes. Musik kann aufhören.
All time classic- hardest and rawest clash album. If you don’t love Janine Jones, White Riot, Bored With The USA, Londons Burning, Career Opportunities, Police and Thieves…I just don’t understand you.
Álbum excelente! Clássico da Música mundial. Clash em grande forma. Genial! QoA Cloudscape.
Another record that I can give a 5 to without even listening to it, but of course I'm going to listen to it. Right now! It starts off strong with "Janie Jones" and just continues strong. A fine antidote for our miserable current timeline, with "I'm So Bored With the USA," "Police and Thieves," "Career Opportunity," "Garageland," etc. (I'll admit "White Riot" makes me slightly uncomfortable these days since all the white riots lately have been coming from the right wing, but it's a great song when you think about what the context was for it at the time.) 5 stars
I too am so bored with the USA
All the songs are great and you can tell their impact on the genre just by these songs coming out in 77
ooh yeah og punk babyyy. liked i'm so bored with the usa, white riot, career opportunities, 48 hours, and garageland
> the Beatles
YES!!! I don't have to listen to this one, but I will!
Top banana
Classic. Every track is a banger.
The greatest rock band of all time.
Excelente
Todo y más de lo que se puede esperar del disco debut de una de las mejores bandas de la historia. Todas las canciones son increíbles, suenan muy bien, grandes letras. Nada que se le pueda reprochar.
One of the great classics of the punk rock era with a surprising variability and musicality. All killer, no filler.
This album gets me hyped
Starting with one I've heard before. Fuck this is a good album.
Good album
don’t like it
En plate som satt fast i CD-spilleren i pappa sin 1996-Saab. Hørte med andre ord på denne hver dag i et år etter at jeg tok lappen som 18-åring. Mange høydepunkter her, vil spesielt trekke frem: -Whats my name - Police and thieves - Londons burning Ellers er det ikke en eneste dårlig låt på denne plata.
absolute banger. a milestone
insane debut
Classic
holy crud i didn't know they did it like that
A debut album that is truly blistering.
Fire great punk music that still holds its originality and ferocity
Classical Punk Rock. The Clash is indeed one of the top 3 bands of the genre.
Amazing. There really wasn’t a bad song on the entire album. 5/5
It's sounding a lot like Ramones debut album in a lot of ways like guitar playing and even vocals somewhat. Maybe they were both inspired by similar bands? I think they both dropped like one year apart from each other as well
Angry, visceral, important, a great album.
The Clash are, for my money, the greatest punk band of all time. And this is the only one of their albums that is in its entirety a punk album, before they started expanding their repertoire to include all manner of other genres, peaking in London Calling (perfect record) and then sliding into a certain degree of overindulgence in Sandanista! There's a formula here works perfectly. Short, three-cord songs, tight hooks, judicious use of backup vocals and overdubs, great rifts, punk energy, left politics. Graded on a curve against London Calling this is hard to call a 5 because it's so much more straightforward, but it seems unfair to knock a fantastic, genre-defining album just because it doesn't measure up to Literally London Calling, Perhaps The Best Rock Album Ever Made. 5 stars with a bullet. Cover goes hard too. Best tracks "Janie Jones" "I'm so Bored with the U.S.A." "White Riot" "Police & Thieves" Worst tracks: None! There are no bad songs on this album! Not even close!
I'm biased as I have loved The Clash for years, but this gets a 5 for sure. Great album, particularly for a debut, and clearly highly influential.
Short, sharp punk songs with a message (although Police & Thieves is a marvelous outlier). The songs are good, the messages powerful, and the music fantastic. Doesn’t get much better than this as far as punk albums go
7.5/10 Unusual punk rock album. It'll do for a debutance!
The US version of this album was the 2nd CD I ever owned / was given. Totally altered my taste in music forever. The original release rocks much harder on tracks like "white riot" and the extra play time gives you even more to enjoy. An absolute classic
Young and angry Clash! Love it.
master piece, give me more
love the clash, a fantastic debut record
A classic!
I love the rawness. In a world where everything feels fake, authenticity is refreshing.
i love the hit album the clash by the clash
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обожааю лучший панк альбом
Anti America. Let’s goooo
Raw yet somehow with pop hooks. The sound of UK punk with some degree of instrumental prowess (as opposed to the Sex Pistols lol). Pretty amazing for a first album! I really don't care that Strummer came from privilege, he showed though his actions that he was a decent human being.
Loved this. 3 songs in as I start my notes and the lyrics have already called out the oppression of the establishment/police and US corruption and foreign policy. And we didn't even get to White Riot yet. This rocks and it's punk as fuck
best
Totally classic '70s punk
J'adore, du pur punk, bonus pour "I'm so bored with the USA"
The debut album of one of my favourite bands ever aka The Only Band That Matters, aka the Clash, this one is their 2nd best album (1st being London Calling.) It's what MOST other first-wave punk debuts are like; melodic, no dilly-dallying, snottiness, incredibly catchy, with all that being combined! It's quite tight, with only the last couple songs (except Police & Thieves) being not that great, though I guess that's the price when the first handful of songs are crazy good. Solid lead playing by Mick Jones, and solid album! Highlight Song/s: "Janie Jones", "Remote Control", "I'm So Bored..." and "Career Opportunities"
The Clash have to be my favourite punk band. Although they have the same fuzzy production and all-encompassing fury as other punk bands, they can also actually play. The tracks are varied enough - with garage punk, rock, and reggae in the mix - that the album pulls you along and leaves you wanting more. Grade A punk!
Surprising how fresh this still sounds almost 50 years on. And, unfortunately, still as relevant now as then.
Excellent album
yes!
Oh hell yeah.
Classic punk
Excellent album, staple from the early punk scene. I love the lyrics on class and social issues, The Clash do that well, paint a picture of what that time was like. The music is fast, and propulsive, so many bangers. Will forever return to this band as one of my favourite punk bands.
Fantastic, foundational, and classic!
It's a tough thing to drop a debut that solidifies you as the defining band in your genre, but The Clash seem to make easy work of it.
Amazing
This album is an incredible. Police & Thieves has been one of my favorite songs for years, and there are lots of other fun surprises on here as well. What a fun album to listen to, especially while at work.
(100/100)
This is one of my favourite albums of all time, so I was very pleased this popped up and it was an easy 5/5 for me.
Awesome album, great grunge/punk rock
Obra prima
Certified 5 star banger. No notes.
I obviously know The Clash, but I’d somehow never heard their debut. I’d have historically said punk is “not my thing,” but I’ve also never really given it a real chance. I don’t have a single bad thing to say about this album. Way more catchy than I expected. I’d put this back on long before spinning, say, Rubber Soul again, and I already gave that 5 stars, so this one vaults to a 5, too.
5⭐️ my first 5 star-rated album, this is REALLY really my type of music; I was proper smiling bobbing my head listening along to it. I know a few songs by the Clash but none on this album - reminds me of the type of music my family and I listen to on our canal boat holidays lol, LOVE IT!!! songs I already knew: n/a fave new song(s): career opportunities, janie jones, london’s burning, white riot, remote control
The only band that matters!!
14 songs•35 minutes The album that made me a punk. Not as hard as I remember it being.
This is an album that, while I don’t necessarily care for the music, (not to say I actively dislike it either) I understand why it’s here. It’s the debut of The Clash.. Also, it’s A punk album, which qualifies it for this list.
good
One of my favourites of all time.
So good
Perfectly threads the needle between grungy, disordered, not-too-polished punk, and fun catchiness that some of the prototypes I've been exposed to courtesy of this list (the Germs, the Sex Pistols) don't nail given their too-rough sound. I still love the hits (Remote Control, White Riot, Police & Thieves) & enjoyed deeper cuts I was less familiar with (Deny, Career Opportunities.) A fun listen I know I'll go back to.
Cool album
Pretty much perfect punk album. Stripped down, raw, direct.
Amazing album
Great punk album. New to me as an album, but of course I know The Clash.
Stunning album. I'm partial to the US pressing which came out with Complete Control added because that's the one I grew up with. The UK version is flawless.
My favorite debut album ever. Saved me from disco. Classic. .
Amazing!
Really like this so far, feels so classic rock, instrumentals dig into your bones. Such a rebellious feeling, I always love when people have English accents in their singing, since I assumed they were American for some reason, having not really listened to them before. Apologies. It's music that makes me want to punch a cop, can imagine listening to this while getting ready for a night out in a strange way. All in all - 9.5/10. Made me do a little boogie, would definitely listen again!!
despite releasing in 1977, it still sounds fresh and relevant today almost 50 years later - songs about unemployment, anti-americanisation, and frustration at the political system in the UK. great high energy throughout its tight 36 min run time and just a generally really good album!! 5/5
I love love love the instrumental and vocals will definitely listen again
Every song on this album is mint.
The Clash were the best punk band and the music is still fresh. I saw them in Queen's students union Dec 1977. The gig was amazing. Its hard to believe that a band can produce a such an epic record so early in their career. Easiest album to score.
4.7 I thought I was too cool and was trying to justify how to give this anything less than a 5. My 5 star wall is starting to look like a low-grade record store's t-shirt section...... But alas, as the only band that matters, the Clash will be receiving nothing less than top honors
How can music be this angry and this FUN at the same time? Absolutely love it. My own rage at the current system matches it nicely. Favorite Tracks: I’m So Bored with the U.S.A. and Police and Thieves.
Great record I already own it
If The Clash had wanted to, they could have stayed in this lane, and gone down comfortably as the greatest punk rock band of all time. They ultimately branched out, of course, and became one of the greatest ever bands. Nonetheless, this particular pit stop on the way to London Calling is about as good as punk ever got.
No disrespect to the Ramones, they made some great pop music, but what they were doing was kid shit compared to The Clash. Guys from the OG heartland of unfettered capitalism, brutal empire, and rigid elitism making anticapitalist, anti-imperialist, pro working class songs that absolutely slap. Cant start a debut more strongly than with the first four songs here and the deep cuts are also so good, Career Opportunities is one of my favorite Clash songs. One of the best and most important punk records of all time right here, songs that resonate probably more now than they did when they came out
I have been waiting for this album for a while now. I didn't get into the Clash until I started listening to this project. I heard bands that were like the Clash and it caused me to listen to some of their music and I just loved it. This was the band's opening salvo and it was a great one. There is not a bad track on this album. They do punk and even mix some genres like reggae into their sound. I've come to really enjoy their music.
Listened to the UK version again and it’s still solid, but would likely be a 4. However, I grew up with the 1979 US edition, and that’s the record I own, and that’s what I’m rating. 5 out of 5, the Only Band That Matters.
I always approach albums I already love with a sceptical eye. Are they really that great when compared to the very best. Even with that perspective, this is a flawless punk album. Smart, edgy, catchy, no filler. This might be controversial, but it's my favorite album by the band, despite London Calling having more of my very favorite tracks. In fact, I'd put it up there as one of THE great debut albums. Easy 5 stars.
Classic
Just one of my favorite albums and one of the best ever.
THE PUNK LP TO OWN !! One of my all time favorites !
Gold…Punk Gold!
Brilliant album. I always considered The Clash to be the more intelligent alternative to the Sex Pistols, and this is demonstrated on this album with incredibly tight drums and bass and the snarling yet compelling vocals. Still a bit snotty, but far more restrained than Rotten, Vicious and co. The melodies and guitar are even playful and straight up fun at times. It packs so much in to 35 minutes. Iconic, even down to the cover photo.
A favorite ❤️
It's jam packed with hits, so good to listen to from start to end. Towards the end it feels a bit long, but Police & Thieves really makes up for it. Sort of has a nostalgia element to it as well. Generally a record I'd wholeheartedly recommend.
I to am board with the USA... If only Joe lived long enough to see it as it is now, I'm sure we'd be gifted with another great record from him.
love this is an album i’ve listened to since i was a kid
Without doubt in my opinion the greatest punk album ever made - every track an absolute classic
Fun. This whole album rips. Insane debut. Fun interplay of snarling lead vocals and sweet backing vocals. Time capsule to feeling like you’re young and cool in the 70s in London. Simple but effective playing, esp. guitar. Political in a way that hits without being obnoxious
Classic
One of at least 3 five star albums by The Clash
Early Clash seems like everything the Sex Pistols wished they could have been. Disruptive, political, in your face, but actually talented. This was a great punk rock record and a foreshadowing of things to come for The Clash. Punk rock and its roots are an amazing thing. The world needs more political punk rock.
The reasons i love this album: Every track is a banger Its the foundation of british punk The lyrics are a balance of anger and politics They were cool as fuck
A whole bunch of excellent punk songs here. It’s basically impossible not to love “I’m So Bored with the U.S.A.”, “White Riot” or “Career Opportunities” - these are absolute bangers, as is the rest of the album. Unless, of course, you prefer your music (and your private life) as boogie as hell… haha. And already, you can hear the Clash planting little seeds for their genre-hopping exeperimentations to come (see “Remote Control”, “London’s Burning” or the „Police & Thieves“ cover). You can tell that they always had a London Calling in them (even though, imho, their self titled one is a lot better in terms of consistency and sequencing). Musically, the Clash outsmarted most of their peers from day one - and this debut still kicks… like a steel-capped boot. Period. Mark Perry, punk publisher and writer, nailed it: “The Clash album is like a mirror. It reflects all the shit.” Hell yeah; what an apt description. And sadly, a lot of that very shit is still hanging around today, just as urgent as back then.
Banger after banger after banger
This is for the 1979 US version of the album, which includes the standouts "Clash City Rockers," "Jail Guitar Doors," and "I Fought the Law," among others. It's the one I owned and remember. For the English version, I'd probably drop a star.
5/5 - You need to hear this because it’s one of the seminal UK debut punk albums of the time. Absolutely belongs on the list and sets the template for hundreds of bands to follow.
I prefer the US version of this album, but this is my teenage years. This cassette was literally stuck in my car and the only thing we could listen to - and we listened to it over and over and over again! Happily
Excellent debut album! Police & Thieves is my favorite.
A shot of adrenaline one of the greatest pure punk albums which went up briefly like a rocket. So fast and such attitude.
1977 was a big year for punk music in the UK. While the US punk scene started at least a decade earlier, The Clash, Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, and the Damned all released their debuts the same year, and punk music worldwide was never the same. The Clash is an undisputed classic — raw, political, anthemic. The initial US release came two years later in 1979, and it cut four songs, added a few ones recorded after the original UK release, and the track order was resequenced. This has been corrected with the remastered version in 2013, and it's now the only one streaming. Having grown up on the US release, I felt like I was listening to it for the first time when the corrected version came out 35 years later. Unlike other foundational punk bands, The Clash continued to evolve musically. Their magnum opus London Calling would come two years later, but their prowess and potential is on full display here. They fully embodied what made punk music that came before them so urgent and intense, but they injected a political focus and positivity that wasn't as entrenched in the punk scene as it may seem in hindsight, and they pushed the genre musically, bringing a level of musicianship, songwriting, song structure, and production that wasn't typical for the genre at that time. I'm so bored with the USA! White riot, I wanna riot! London's burning!
Guitarist named Strummer, lol
Unexpected bop
Magnificent!
This is an easy 5. Even at 17 I knew this was a 5
Real good. Listened to the UK version then the US tracks as bonuses.
Fast, punky, a clear first album for punk legends
Fantastic album, played it on the way into work 🎸🎼 set the mood for the rest of the day 🥁👊🏼
The most London band ever. Multiculturalism, Empire, private education, violence, pubs, socialism.
Punk epitome. Fantastic, interesting record with great lyrics and instrumentals.
Still relevant. Would have loved to hear it when it first came out as it must have been mindblowing for all. Hard, raw, punk at its best.
This isn't where it all started, but it's where The Only Band That Matters asserted that they are just that. We're shown from the opening shuffle of “Janie Jones” that this record isn’t pulling punches. There’s a lot of discourse around the role of punk in the USA vs the UK, and how the music became mainstream in the hands of these bands. The Clash was a band that was always at war with itself, but they lasted a decade which is a lot better than most punk bands. Joe Strummer was the sociopolitical firebrand, countered by Mick Jones’ industry savviness and Paul Simonon’s cool and fashion sense. But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. This record is the blueprint for so much punk and alternative music, and it isn’t even their best one. Standouts are the opening track, “I’m So Bored with the U.S.A.”, “White Riot”, “Hate & War”, “London’s Burning”, “Career Opportunities”, the Junior Murvin cover “Police & Thieves”, and “Garageland”.
You think London Calling is the best Clash album. I’m sure it’s this on. We are not the same
Not much to say other than it’s one of the best punk albums ever. Blending rawness, attitude, and social commentary into a catchy and memorable song - this album does it with the best of em.
I got into punk rock in my adult years, the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, & a smattering of the Misfits. But never the Clash. Though most of the Clash songs I heard didn’t remind me of punk, like Train In Vain & Rock the Casbah. However, their debut album, The Clash, is "typical" punk for the most part. The songs are short, fast, & full of angry lyrics, tho not all are. Protex Blue is about a condom. I was surprised at how good this album sounded, sonically. Lots of punk albums sound like the bands cranked out the songs in a few hours & then were off to the pub. I loved this album & it's my favorite of the 20 I’ve listened to from the 1,001 list. My fave tracks are White Riot, I’m so Bored with the USA, and London’s Burning. There isn't a bad cut on this album. You definitely must hear this before the end of the week.
🧡
5/5. Yes. This is punk. At first, I was thrown off by the clash, as I have a weird beef with their London Calling album, it just felt a little too produced. This is pure punk and awesome, speedy songs, everything at max while still keeping a steady beat and rhythm. Anti-fascism, class war, politics, race, antiestablishment, etc. Especially nowadays (and unfortunately at any time) this record is relevant. Definitely blasting this one when I need some pick-me-up. I understand why London Calling is more liked since it is more accessible but sometimes a direct message really gets you going, something not many art forms can do as succinctly as punk. Best Song: White Riot, Garageland, Career Opportunities, I'm So Bored With The U.S.A.
5 out of 5, doesn't matter if it's the US or UK version (however, the US version has Complete Control, which makes it the superior version to me) This album was the start of something amazing for a band that would transcend punk entirely. The Clash were also great at covers in general, which is a rare thing for a band. I Fought the Law is a punk staple and a standard for how to do it right. While not their best it's a strong and enjoyable debut.
I love The Clash, particularly Joe Strummer. In my mind there are two versions of this band - the raw punk version and the refined version that went on to make London Calling. I suppose there is a third version that would make some straight up pop songs, that I enjoy too. The London Calling version really didn't seem to care what genre they were put in, just made the best possible album with the various rock, punk and reggae influences they most enjoyed. This early album has some hints of what they would later become but overall it's pretty straight forward, pretty great, punk. Some stuff on here reminds me of the Sex Pistols (White Riot), a version of The Clash that I think really only shows up here. Very happy to have this album, but my preference is the LC version.
Classic
5/5 all time classic that set the standard for punk
Classic
Classic and essential. Intelligent, snarky punk. 5⭐️
This album changed the way I look at music… The Clash was at once sloppy and weirdly polished; brash and snotty, but thoughtful. “The Only Band That Matters”, indeed!
Classic
Classic, great album front to back
I’m unsure if this is my favorite Clash album, but it’s for sure one of the greatest punk albums of all time.
The only band that matters with a classic debut. Brilliant.
3 great Albums in a row? i smell a really bad 1 Star Album coming up.
Other than NMTB by the sex Pistols this has to be one of the great debut albums. Superb!
Iconic Punk!
Awesome.
One of the best kick off tracks in rock n roll. This album never gets old and I revisit it often especially when I went jump around like a kid again hearing it for the first time. Damn this is good.
🔥🔥🔥
Ridiculous start from Punk's greatest band.
It's not Combat Rock; but it's still incredible.
Great album! Not sure if I like this one or the first one that was recommended more.
Interesting
For those who want to know what was worse than horse, it was my neighbour whoopty
The debut album of the clash has unapologetically rebellious lyrics expressing their utter frustration with late 70's England. You can tell they immediately had a vision and sound for the band. Impeccable pacing and flowing guitar tie each song together. Their later work is definitely better, but for a debut album you can't get much better. The longest song by far on the album "Police & Thieves" definitely deserves it. In a slow reggae style, it creates further difference from other tracks, allowing the listener a reprieve before the last two songs. Devo was inspired by The Clash and you can really pick it with this album, for example the similarities between Deny, and Uncontrollable Urge Notable tracks: Deny, I'm so Bored with the U.S.A., Cheat, Police & Thieves, Garageland
Sturlað hrátt. Geggjaðir textar beint frá hjartanu. Helvítis veisla fyrir pönkið og 9 ára Sigga Ragga að fá þessa plötu í heiminn. Aldrei spurning um annað en fimmu.
Besta pönkplatan og White riot besta pönklagið. En öll lögin geggjuð og textarnir hans Joe eru svo góðir. Og svo eru allir löngu orðnir leiðir á USA.
Maybe it's just the day but I think I like this album better than London Calling. This record is more 'punk' if that makes sense. Don't get me wrong - I love London Calling but this is a little more raw, more aggressive, less polished, and angrier. I love it. Along with Never Mind the Bollocks, which I think is probably a better record, this is a quintessential 70s punk album. I'm not sure I would call this a 5/5 record but it's damn close, 4.5 at least. Maybe I'm feeling generous today (Friday before a long weekend after all...) but I'm giving this one a 5/5.
Love it, punk but cool elements in it. Instrumentally nicely done. Very easy to listen to for political punk. Must have been iconic in the 70s
This album, along with the first Adverts LP, are what first-wave UK punk rock was all about. Anthemic and played JUST well enough to get the ideas of the songs across, all of these bands would get better musically, but not necessarily thematically. There's something special about angry young people banging out songs with more emotion than thought for their careers.
Such a great album. I listened to the remastered version this time and liked it. The Clash aren't actually the "only band that matters," but they earn the title anyway. Strummer is in the top echelons of my own personal "cool artist" lists, alongside Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Bowie, and a select few others. This album sounds fresh and great 45 years later. 4.8/5
10/10 album for me I always wonder why sex pistols get the crown of british punk when the clash has the same amount of attitude, same level of social consciousness but like so much more musical ability. I don't think there's a bad song here. Songs added to playlist: - Janie Jones - I'm so bored with the USA - white riot - what's my name - Londons burning - Police & thieves
punk rock was the first genre of music that I really got into - going out of my way past all the stuff you grow up with and hear on the radio. The thing that brought me into it was how much of the music is explicitly written with a message. It's good to go back and hear that outrage in the Clash, but unfortunate how much of it feels exactly as relevant today as it did in 1977. Listening closely a couple of surprises. I always thought the Clash were on an island. Like, somehow more approachable than a lot of British punk from that era and also ska or at least reggae influenced, but listening to this it sounds a lot more similar to those other guys than I remember. I can't hear What's My Name without hearing the song Bloodstains. At least the opening. Hate & War is great. Missed it before
twice as pissed as london calling, which i prefer for its diversity of styles. but this is raw, powerful, and seminal. it’s a killer album. five for sure. there's no stars higher than five on here, and i'm not rating this down to make some weird star room for lc, so they'll both get full marks. if it didn't sound like a five the first time, turn it up. double nickels on the clash.
Landans burning
This is punk. Topical, angry, critical, and melodic enough that it can’t be ignored
Clash is amazing.
It’s myyy faaavriiiite
It’s loud, it’s angry, it’s political punk that brilliantly reflects a socially turbulent time in the UK and I live for it
Maybe it would be easier to start with the Clash albums I wouldn’t give 5 stars.
One of the best debut albums of all time. Raw, melodic and fun. White Riot is a such a singalong anthem!
Nice collection of songs, love the sort of raw garage rock sound
Åh... meget meget bra!!
Great intro to British punk.
Top album, 35 mins long, proper punk, couple of 2 song runs - Police and Thieves is up there
I just finished the book Fahrenheit-182 (sidebar: is two literature what blink-182 is to music), and was surprised at how often Mark Hoppus referred to his band as a punk band and not a pop band. A good experiment in considering what punk rock actually is. For my money, this is punk. And I know London Calling is their magnum opus or whatever. And nothing against that album. It’s great. But I’d take this 9/10.
Loved it. A classic!
Винтажный жанроопределяющий панк, который сразу погружает в атмосферу тех лет, хочется гнать на скейте в косухе и ни о чем не думать) топ
The only band that matters.
Punk rock perfection.
could i write poetry to this? y
Of the three Clash albums that I would consider eligible for this list (the others being "London Calling" and "Combat Rock), this one is the most "conventionally" Punk. Even at this early stage, The Clash were better musicians than their peers in the genre. Their myriad influences color the songs in ways put them well beyond the speed freaks and noisemakers that populated the Punk scene at the time. They were also more mindful of geopolitics and incorporated their leftist ideologies in to the music most effectively. I'm not sure that they were the "only band that mattered", but they were definitely in rare company.
Class
The Clash get a lot of credit (deservedly so) for London Calling, but to me, this album is just as good, if not maybe better. Different, and maybe it's just that I like the raw punk sound of the Clash, but I just really love this album.
Energetic, raw, streetwise and cool in several levels. The Clash 1st album shows the combination of personalities that helped the Clash become an excellent band with their further releases until they exhausted their road. The importance of four members each adding his personality and quality. In the perspective of what the 70's were before the punk explosion, this album feels so fresh and spontaneous that I guess took many people by surprise. This album is much more than punk rock. Hear "Police and Thieves" or "Deny" I imagine when this album came, everybody inevitably wanted more Clash.
Amazing album and it is my gold standard for 70's punk music. Almost all killer, no filler. Truly a great album, punk or otherwise.
Strangely, I don’t know all the songs on this album. I know the sound and it reminds me of what music used to feel like when I was a teenager. It’s quite wonderful. The version of “Police and Thieves” is fun, but not as good as the reggae version.
Done
Fun punk. Never mind the Sex Pistols, here's the Clash.
Sounds as raw and energetic as on release. The seeds of London’s Calling and Sandinista are all in here. The cover of Police and Thieves is still probably my favourite track with Londons Burning and Garageland following behind.
Classic British punk.
Still prefer London Calling, but they seem to be having a lot of fun, and feel more youthful on this record
Still 100% spot on.
A punk masterpiece.
Saw them live a couple of times in '79/'80. One of the best live bands I've seen (along with Gang of Four). Definitely one of the best albums of those decades, and totally deserving of a place in this list. Also, The Clash were the only white band ever to play reggae convincingly.
Truly great. Enjoyed everything about it. Scrappy, fun, silly, tough. Just cool. Plus very significant in terms of so many bands I love today being influenced in some way by their sound (like Midnight Oil and Private Function, for instance). Favourite tracks are I’m So Bored with the USA (how relevant 48 years later!) and Career Opportunities.
Love love love!! 5/5
I haven't listened to this full album in decades but listened to it so many times in my teens and twenties that I remember every second of it. A great album that had a huge influence.
The Clash's debut LP - fantastic release that has stood up for nearly 50 years.
Great punk sound that doesn’t get too muddy, each instrument is played so well and production quality is top notch. I knew I would enjoy this album even though I didn’t know any of the tracks. I may enjoy “London Calling” from earlier in my 1001 project a little bit better, but this was a phenomenal debut album that still kicks ass. 4.5/5
Classic! Great songs!
I went to 'big school' in 1977 and I discovered The Clash the following year when "White Man in Hammersmith Palais" and "I Fought the Law" were released as singles. These tracks were substituted for a couple of the more punky tunes on the US version of the album, not released until 1979, and featured Topper Headon on drums, a much better player than Terry "Tory Crimes" Chimes who had played on the debut. Better songs but they did not necessarily make a better album. The original UK release is a punk classic and the aggression and anger holds the album together as a cohesive statement. "London Calling" is probably a better album overall but it is a result of many different influences. There has been a lot of revisionism on opinions of The Clash, and UK punk in general - Strummer was the son of a diplomat, a poseur; Mick Jones was a hard rock guitar hero wannabe; Simonon was an artist who couldn't play bass - and it is all nonsense. The Clash, on this album in particular, were angry young men railing against the grime and deprivation of late '70s Britain. "The Clash" hits hard, musically and lyrically, from the first chords of "Janie Jones" to the last notes of "Garageland". It was deemed not radio-friendly enough for the US, possibly the inclusion of "I'm So Bored With the USA" was a factor. The world feels worse now than it did then. I'm still bored with the USA and we could do with another Clash.
Legends.
I just love this band's sound. It's that simple.
I haven't even started listening to this yet and I have thoughts. I love this band and always will. This album is going to get a 5. Interesting though that Spotify has the original UK release and I owned the US version on CD and have that blazed into my brain. I'm sure the UK version is good, but looking at the track list I'm shocked at the removal of (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais and I Fought The Law which are great songs. Jail Guitars is not a Gret (tm) song, but it's fun. Anyhoo, to make it interesting I'm going to listen to the UK version and see what I think vs the US version. OK. US vs UK - the US release is better. I expected to think that anyway, but I really think it's true and it's not even close. They took off 5 and added 6. One of those is a better version of the same song. None of the other 4 were show stoppers for me. Of the 5 new songs added, 3 were A-side singles and 1 was a B-side. The US version is just what the UK version would have been if they'd had another couple of years to work on it. I know I'm not breaking new ground here, but if you break punk down into stereotypical-music punks and cultural punks (music punks being Sex Pistols, cultural punks being, I dunno, Talking heads), The Clash were very much cultural punks. This album is there punkiest musically, and even then it's not all that punky. I love three chords and a cloud of dust, but I think I will always love cultural punks more, where it wasn't about the music sounding the same, it was about being different and unaccepted. Anyway, I love the Clash and I love this album, and if you think this was long wait until we get to London Calling, which I assume MUST be on this list.
The only band that matters! 5 stars, the closest thing to a perfect debut album in my opinion, interesting side note, I debuted the same year. I was a little thrown off by the UK version/track list, but it does very little to diminish the album as a whole in my opinion.
Love this album -- probably too much.
One of the earliest UK punk albums, beating Never Mind the Bollocks to record shops by at least six months (although not released Stateside until 1979, probably due to the track ‘I’m So Bored with the USA’). Also, definitely one of the most overtly political and influential, taking solid hits against racism, police brutality, US imperialism and the generally moribund state of the United Kingdom in the 1970s. Musically, it’s rock solid, with accomplished musicians building on the 60s garage sound with a solid helping of 70s pub rock and nods to reggae/ska with a great cover of Police and Thieves. A five star classic, no questions.
Funny how The Clash S/T followed Oasis WTSMG. Both, English bands. Not the same time. Maybe the same ambition? I can't say, but what I do know is that behind its simpler and (rougher) edges, The Clash S/T is way more revolutionary and exciting that the britpop lads were. It's efficient, it has something to say, it's entertaining. It's not perfect, but who cares? That's the spirit.
Disenfranchised UK punks make crunchy music about depression and hating work. Pinnacle UK punk, no repeats.
Six stars
One of the greatest punk albums ever created. Also one of the best debuts ever.
This could have been written today. The only band that matters!
One of my very favorite albums of all time. First Clash album was so fresh and raw
Loved it
Loud, fun, varied, innovative, sharp lyrics = 5 stars.
Album 666 of 1001 The Clash - The Clash (1977) Rating : 5 / 5 Great listen. Life brought some distractions and I didn't get to enjoy it as much as I should have but I'm already familiar with it. Classic punk, indeed.
A stone cold classic. Just as good today as when I first heard it over twenty years ago.
Probably falling in line just behind London Calling, this is a great debut by the definitive British punk rock band. This original UK release definitely flows better and delivers a better punch than the US release of two years later where 5 songs were switched. The combination of genres and dynamics mixed with the balance of Strummer’s vocal snarl and Jones’ softer singing style is just great. It deserves placement right up there with other fellow Brit albums of the time from the likes of Elvis Costello and The Jam. Just a great album.
Yep
Amazing
The Clash achieved something with their debut self-titled album that is maybe one of one in music history It is both the best album in a genre - in this case punk - while also not the best album the artist made - because London Calling is undeniably better. Pretty fucking impressive, honestly.
A record excellent in each and every aspect of it. Crafted by obviously serious musicians, it doesn't fail to amaze throughout its entirety.
Seminal Punk Album.
It's the Clash so guaranteed 5, even if I prefer some of the later albums. 'I'm so bored with the USA' pretty much sums up our current era
kicks off maybe the strongest five-album run of rock history
This is the essence of punk. Basic musical skill but a lot of things to say. Angry, political and sarcastic. A brilliant debut from “the only band that matters “.
What a debut! These guys were pissed about England's and rightfully so. They rock hard here ("White Riot" and "London's Burning") while taking on serious issues of class and post-industrialization. The reggae groove in "Police and Thieves" shows that even the beginning this punk band was interested in expanding their sound beyond three chords. Awesome.
It's a classic!
Perfect classic rock
Yeah this is 5 stars.
The Clash, yes! I basically love their every song. This may not be well produced, or composed in a very skillful way, but hey, it's punk so it's okay. You can't deny it is a thoughtful and well written album...and I just love the energy and the recklessness. Defo 5/5 because, well, let's just say I really adore them.
Honestly the first Punk record I really vibed with on the list. I had some trouble getting into the other ones but this was completely different. Undeniable talent. My favorites were Remote Control, What's My Name, and Police and Thieves
This rips. I know I really like an album when I am a little over halfway through and have added nearly every song to my playlist. And then they throw a Reggae song in there with Police & Thieves? Just a really fun album.
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While it doesn't have their biggest hits or polish of the later albums, this is everything a punk album should be. Intelligently aggressive, simple yet melodic, anthemic catchy songs.
You have to be in the mood for this music and I must have been when I listened to this album. The clash is great and are timeless.
The Clash: "The Only Band That Matters." Are they now, huh? Living in 2024, well past the heyday of The Clash, I'm not 100 on how much I'd agree with that or not — speaking just for my own tastes, anyway. I mean, there are a lot of bands that matter to me, from The Beatles to the one backing up Weird Al. So "the only band?" I probably just had to be there at the time. At any rate, I can agree that they're a pretty damn good band. And, at the very least, a better one than the Sex Pistols. Yeah, it's kind of unavoidable for me to compare The Clash to the Sex Pistols, as it seems to be for a lot of people. They're both 70's British punk bands who ended up being huge sources of inspiration for nearly every one that came out afterwards. Heck, The Clash even opened for the Sex Pistols on a tour, and it was a negative review they got during that that inspired them to write "Garageland". And, like, look, I have my problems with the Sex Pistols: as people, as musicians, and in regards to their formation, politics, and unintentional impact. Even though I like a fair bit of their music, there's a part of me these days that considers them a punk boy band that relied on shock value, between songs like "God Save The Queen" and the fact that they put the word "bollocks" in their album title. I mean, I'm not gonna come out here and say I hate them and their impact just because "Bodies" exists or that it's really their fault the Dead Kennedys had to write "Nazi Punks Fuck Off", but... I'unno. It's just harder for me to enjoy their bashing and thrashing as much as I used to when I was 13 or 14. So then we come to The Clash — one of the bands I've logged away in my head as "really left," alongside Rage Against The Machine and Chumbawamba. And lemme shut this down off the bat: that's not the reason why I like any of those bands. It helps, sure, to be able to nod along to those songs and go "I agree with them," but there's just as many bands and artists I like that I don't. No, of course, it's their musicianship. Rage making kickass rap rock. Chumbawamba mastering their way through punk, dance and folk. And of course, The Clash, doing some of the best punk I've ever heard. Like, besides any nonsense regarding "politics," if there are any strong reasons why I like The Clash over the Sex Pistols, it's that I think The Clash are better musicians — and, at that, more relatable. I mean, The Clash could play "Anarchy In The U.K.", but I don't think the Sex Pistols could play, say, "Police & Thieves". And in regards to their subject matter, honestly, thinking back on it, the Sex Pistols were a little broad? Which was probably the point, but I don't think it hits as well as The Clash writing specifically about being a youth in 1970's London, from the more serious stuff in "White Riot" and "Career Opportunities", to smaller things like "Protex Blue" and "London's Burning". Mixed with Strummer's vocals and Jones's guitar and the slight edge of pop that's in there... Woof, goodness. And I wanna rewind to "Police & Thieves" for a second: the intersection of punk and reggae. For the longest time there, I never got why these two crossed over so often. Why did punk bands do reggae so often? Why did Bob Marley write "Punky Reggae Party"? What **was** the deal? As it turns out, I was thinking too aesthetically, and not thinking about the thematic elements. They have a lot in common, and "Police & Thieves", in that light, fits really well here. I mean, just earlier on the album The Clash were expressing dislike for the police and calling out civil bureaucrats. So a song like this... Yeah, it's perfect. And it helps that The Clash do reggae pretty dang well here. And I've read that they apparently do it **better** on later albums? I'm not gonna say they're on the same level as, say, The Wailers, but still, goodness. Taking it all in total, while the Sex Pistols still probably have **the** punk album of punk albums, The Clash, for sure, have the best. I've never qualms whatsoever about giving it a 5. It's just that good. And I didn't even get around to mentioning the rock n' roll influence. If you've somehow stumbled across this review and haven't heard it yet, well, get yourself on it. LONDON CALLING, too, for that matter, but, y'know, I'll get there when I get there... "The Only Band That Matters?" I'm still not 100, but damn if they don't make a good case for bein' one of the big ones.
Pure UK punk from one of the best musical trios there is. Solid 5 Stars.
I’m at a 5. That’s 35 minutes of really fucking good punk rock, man. I can hear a lot of U.S. new wave inspiration on here, but they turned up the energy and really channeled it in a good way here; there’s not much filler, a lot of fast tempos, and some great lyricism that gets its point across through the really nice grit in Joe Strummer’s vocals. My single complaint is pretty minimal, and entirely subjective: I think Police & Thieves should’ve been the last track on the album. There’s an absolute breakneck speed on those first 11 tracks, most of which are around or under 2 minutes, & they cover such a variety of topics that it keeps the sound fresh on all of those tracks. However, when Police & Thieves comes in, and takes up 6 minutes doing its reggae cover (which is really well done, by the way), it just kind of stops the album’s momentum in a way that I think turns the album downward for me. Not that much, but enough to sort of feel jarring once the next track goes right back to being under 2 minutes. It feels awkward, and I think the album would’ve greatly benefited if it had been the last track. Regardless, what a fun album. Guitar work is on point throughout, the percussion is punchy, the tempo is great, the lyrics have a deserved anger to them & make some pretty decent points (some of which still ring true in 2024), and Joe Strummer’s vocals bring it all together to make this work. I do sort of wish a few tracks were just a little longer, if only because I selfishly think 35 minutes of this soundscape feels criminally short compared to how much I enjoyed it. Pretty easy 5.
I've always thought it was funny that punk lyrics are basically I won't go to war for some country, or that working long boring jobs sucks and that those are somehow opinions that are counter culture. Anyway this album is awesome, excellent representation of the explosion of punk. It's fast, angry, musically simple and just is straight to the point rock. Pretty fun listening to this after a week of psychadelic and prog rock. My favorite is probably What's My Name, the one song I wish has a tad longer.
Jeg vidste, at jeg godt kunne lide det her album, men jeg havde glemt hvor god. Nok det bedste punkalbum imo, kort og catchy og intens og upoleret
Classic and untouchable. Perfect album.
This whole album is fantastic. I was a bit too young to fully appreciate this band when they arrived on the scene, but there is no denying the impact that they had on everyone who followed. I love listening to the Clash now and wish I would have been at an age where I could have really appreciated them in their prime. 5/5 for me.
Still one of my favorite albums of all time. All classics. All bangers. All done in only 35 minutes.
I mean, come on... it was a 5 star album back in the day and it still is! Great individual tracks, that collectively make for a seminal moment in music, capturing the attitude and energy of the time. You could narrow this list down from 1001 albums to 10 and this would still be there!
The only band that mattered. How can I give this five stars with Give 'em Enough Rope and London Calling on the horizon? But how in hell can I give it less than five when it is so fucking off the hook amazing?
Still sounds genuinely exciting. Garageland is a self-aware statement of intent and this is the closest The Clash came to a straightforward pub-rock album, but there are still signs of greater ambition throughout. Tight harmonies, tighter rhythms, and the first shoots of the reggae influence that made them extra special. It's probably the purest expression of the punk energy the band had and might be their best record in that sense. It lacks the sprawling ambition of later efforts but who says that's a bad thing? 14 songs, 35 minutes, barely a couple of duffers on there. It's like an early Beatles album or something: pure pop sensibility but cranked up to 11 with frustration and boredom. And it's hard to think of a stronger opening to many records than the 4 song run from Janie Jones to White Riot. Brilliant
Loved hearing this album because you could see how other bands were influenced by them.
Day308 - a great album from the only band that matters
This is the English punk album by definition. Political, direct, raw, and timeless. All killer, no filler. Great record!
Yeah this a damn fine album innit. So much energy, still sounds fresh almost 50 years later.
Awesome stuff
One of my all time fav albums, lively energetic and in yer face. All the tunes are classics on this and of of course the best year of all time.
Genesis of the greatness that was coming.
Every single bit of Clash is 5 stars for me.
Disco esencial de la explosión del 77, uno de los años clave en la historia de la música, junto con los de: David Bowie- Low, Sex Pistols, Talking Heads, Ramones, The Clash, Television, Wire, Suicide, Bob Marley, Iggy Pop, The Jam, Suicide, Mink Deville, Kraftwerk, Iggy Pop, The Modern Lovers, Elvis costello... también Muddy Waters, Peter Gabriel, Dennis Wilson, Fleetwood Mac, ELO, y Bee Gees...). Desde la rabia de Janie Jones y White Riot , hasta el reggae-punk de Police and Thieves o London´s burning, este disco conforma uno de los mejores debuts del rock.
Punk at its finest.
Wild. Did not expect to be impressed. I thought it was just another in a long line of punk bands. The themes weren't overwhelming, and I can see why this is a core punk album. The reggae inspired track "Police & Thieves" was unexpectedly decent. "Career Opportunities" and "Garageland" were my favorite tracks.
classic
This is another album, I already own. I love it. Perfect early punk rock.
The opening of Janie Jones, always classic.
London Calling is my favorite but this one is also great. Rounding 4.5 up.
A quick half hour lesson on punk
Punk classics, it's shit living in Britain in the 1970s. Yum
Never listened to their debut before. Truly an excellent punk record.
Great music from the Clash!
One of the best albums ever
I am super surprised that I liked this!
Class.
great example of the cutting edge of punk. Love it!
Proof that The Clash was pretty much the only band on the punk scene who knew how to play their instruments. Who would have thought that this would improve the quality of the output???
Loved it
Historical group, historical music. Love it
Iconic, what else can be said?
A punk classic. Every song is awesome.
The album ticks any box you could come up with for a perfect album [X] perfect songs all the way through [X] Innovative [X] Variation in the songs but still coherent [X] Impactful [X] Lyrics that actually mean shit go ahead think of another box, I’m sure this album checks it
I own this album. Haven't listened to this in a while, but it just gets better over time. So much more melodic and well-performed than other punk albums. "Move up Starsky...Suck on Kojak"
Great album. British punk at its finest. Thoroughly enjoyable. I'll have to explore the rest of their catalog now.
Love it
Scrappy protest chants Roared to rat-a-tat approach Punk rock leaps forward
Amazing record that still sounds fresh today! It sounds like the base for so many records that followed this one.
What an auspicious debut. I was really struck by how self assured the band sounds already.