Reviews (page 4 of 14)
Great 1st album by a great band
It makes me laugh to think that I was "afraid" of this when it came out. I was a middle teen, and instead of listening to music that made me feel exactly how I was feeling, I was still into safer entertainment. It wasn't till college that I realized what I was truly missing. Not that I was ever deep into the punk scene, but I was super thrilled to discover the early 80's alternative sound and did deeper dives from there. This was a fun one to listen to again, as it's been many years since I've played the album. I still think that London Calling is their masterpiece, but they had much of the framework for that in their debut. There are no misses on this, but my favorites are I'm so Bored with the USA (yes I am), Deny, London's Burning, Police & Thieves, and Garageland.
¿Qué pasaria si los Ramones si fueran más punk? R: Esto
Another college album for me, like The Jam (this album came out in spring of 1977, about 18 months before All Mod Cons). Like The Jam, The Clash didn't really cross my path until freshman year of college (fall '80 - spring '81), shortly after The Clash's "London Calling" album had been released. *That* album had a big influence on me (my dorm buddies, too), and then led me back to this album. Luckily, one of the Mikes (who both now live in Atlanta) had both this album and London Calling. Like with All Mod Cons, I didn't tape the whole album (London calling, though - I taped the whole thing). Which means I know four of the songs really well, the others not so much. I still like the ones I taped best, but of course I've heard them a lot more, over the years: Remote Control, I'm So Bored w/ the USA, Career Opportunities, and Police and Thieves (cover of Junior Murvin's reggae classic, which had been released only the year before) . The more basic punk songs (by The Clash, and others) tended (tend) to bore me, a little, though I appreciated at least some of what I suspected/knew they were trying to do/convey. But even with this first album (and much more so w/ London Calling), The Clash were moving beyond that. I think this album is 4 stars, London Calling (to tip my hand) 5.
Great debut album, but they only get better. 4 stars so I can justify giving 5 stars to the later ones that are sure to come up.
Great punk album, added to my collection
"The Clash" by The Clash is one of the strongest debut album of all time. This album is just aggressive, high energy punk music with short fast paced songs.Most of the lyrics are related with political and social themes. The guitar riff and vocal performance from the band were wonderful. There are a lots of standout tracks for me, "Janie Jones", "I'm so Bored with the U.S.A.", "Career Opportunities", "Police & Thieves" (a cover song) and many more. There is not even a single tracks that I feel downgrade than others. This album keeps your head banging for every minute. Overall wonderful debut album by the Clash. And one of the greatest punk album of all time. But if you compared it with their masterpiece album " London Calling" than it feel downgrade from their discography.
There's something here. I didn't fully jive with it, but these guys were cooking something unique for sure.
There’s a lot of lousy early punk on this list. This one rips.
kurde blacha fajny ten rock jednak nwm taki spoczko jest narazie skończyłam na „what’s my name” resztę jutro przesłucham bo nie mam dzisiaj już czasu no ogl album jest spoko tylko ze nie lubie rocka wiec dla mnie nie bedzie niczym "wow" ale ogl jest bardzo fajny, jak go slucham to czuje sie jakbym byla w jakims starym filmie powiedziałabym że jest to dobry poczatek w strone rocka ocena : 3,5/5 (ale nie mozna dawac polowek wiec dam 4 na 5)
✸ I can't believe how many absolute bangers and classics are on this album: I'm So Bored with the U.S.A, White Riot, London's Burning, Career Opportunities, etc. ✸ Wait, I forgot about "What's My Name" Love it.
My dad had a subscription to Rolling Stone magazine and liked reading the album reviews to see if he was missing out on any new music. He was a bit of a risk taker so, often he would buy an album based on the review and if he didn’t like it, he would give it to me. That’s how I got The Clash and London Calling. I think he got both because he couldn’t remember which one was reviewed or the London Calling review was so good, he took a chance… anyway, he didn’t like it. He didn’t buy any punk records after that, but I liked it and I bought punk records. I already had a couple of Ramones records. Dad probably regretted giving me those Clash records, but if he did, he didn’t mention it. He was more concerned about Metal for some reason. It was the 80s and there was all that satanic panic nonsense…. I reassured him I wasn’t a master of the dark arts, and that was the end of it. None of this has anything to do with the Clash’s first album which I said I like… not as much as London Calling, but it’s still very good. 4.5
Love this.
Still vital, even today. Particularly the last three or four songs really show off the melodic strengths of the band. Paul Simonon's bass playing is already strong throughout. They're not yet at their peak on this one, but it's still very good. 4/5 because it's not even their own peak. But honestly, having listen to 321 of these to date (29% of the way there!), it's still worth recognizing the quality here. Addendum: I listened to this again on a road trip, two days later. Great album and these are clearly the best of the British punks of '77. Sex Pistols be damned (and the Damned were better than them, anyway).
A nice bit of raucous classic punk, marred by the existence of The Clash's later records. Listening to this when I've already heard London Calling (not as part of the project, just previously) is like comparing a C1 Corvette to a C2. The first is an admittedly great roadster/sports car mix, but the second is the split-window that was driven by astronauts. I'd be more interested in hearing what someone without the context of London Calling and later Clash in general thinks of this record compared to my admittedly dulled ears.
De por sí ya me gusta bastante the clash pero no me he escuchado ese álbum. Después de escucharlo me gustó bastante aveces sonaba a los sex pistols pero eso le daba un toque, muy buen álbum con varias canciones que hablan sobre política lo cual me llamó aún más la atención del álbum.
A brilliant, ripping record. You can trace entire genres back to this one moment — hell, when Joe Strummer sings “d’ya think I’m a raving idiot” is more dangerous and thrilling than the entire Fontaines DC catalogue. There’s so much anger and disillusionment at a broken Britain, but also energy and drive to make things better, to organise, to stay aware of what is happening around you.
Still hated the US back then n all.
Gut zum hören. Anfang und Ende Stark, mittlerer Teil etwas weaker. Und vielleicht etwas Eintönig
Short & powerful. Might not be as great as London Calling, but still, what a debut. Fantastic album.
Perhaps the best album of punk's initial explosion. Most of the songs are two minute blink-and-you'll-miss-it tunes typical of the genre, but there is much more depth than most contemporaries imo. The lyrics really deal with the frustrations of being young, working class, and left wing, in 1970s London, including race relations, police oppression, and unemployment in vivid ways. London Calling will do that in a more polished way, but a very strong debut.
Though they would branch out and refine their sound on the epic double album 'London Calling'. This album is a great document of the raw energy of the punk scene in London. Songs like 'White Riot', 'Cheat' and 'Police and Thieves' serve as reminders of why they were one of the best bands to come out of that scene.
Incalculably significant to punk rock, this is a fantastic debut album from one of the genre’s greatest bands. All of its fourteen tracks are at the very least very good, and some are truly excellent. If I was going by historical significance it would undoubtedly be getting 5 stars. And yet, even though I like every song, it’s only a 4 for me personally. I really struggle to really say why, however. Perhaps it suffers by comparison with their masterpiece, ‘London Calling’, and I’m sure it also sounds tamer and less original listening in 2026 than it did in 1977.
Right from the very beginning The Clash were always so much more than just another punk band. At face value this album isn't anything too special, and to be fair, on its own it isnt. But knowing what this band would later achieve lets you listen to this album in a completely different way. It still has the same rawness, energy, and anger that you would want out of a punk album, but the depth is truly what sets this one apart, both musically and lyrically. The social commentary feels a lot more genuine and well thought out, all the while being delivered by some of the most charismatic vocals in the genre. Music wise, it does feel a bit same-y I'll admit, but for an album this short I don't think it's massively important. Either way it's still 35 minutes of pure punk energy, even if it technically isn't the most sophisticated.
The Clash were always the best punk band, and apart from the genre. The apartness made them the best. This debut established those qualities. The Clash had punk’s anger on a micro and macro level. The boredoms and frustrations that led youth to embrace, and make, the music. The downtrodden socio-economic and political circumstances of pre-Thatcher Great Britain also get addressed. The sheer speed of the rockabilly crazed meets The Who level volume plays a prominent role in most songs. Yet The Clash did not seek to offend and appall. I do not feel gobs of spit emitting from this record like The Sex Pistols or Dead Boys. It thankfully lacks the cartoonish yelps, lyrics and appearance of the Pistols. Talk show hosts will point their fingers at Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious, and kids will dress up like them for Halloween, not Paul, Mick and Joe. What The Clash sacrifices in ecstatic release, it makes up for in brilliant consistency. Fourteen songs, with nary a bummer in the group. The group burns hot with the “true punk” trio of “White Riot”, “London’s Burning” and “Remote Control.” Signs of the more measured, varied and subtle songwriting of London Calling were already apparent. “Janie Jones”, “Hate and War” and my personal favorite, “Garageland”, ease back on the gas pedal to include the band’s trademark “Ah, ah, ah” backing vocals to add to the tunefulness. I also noticed how many songs start with the chorus, or at least the title of the song. The method contributed to the news bulletin effect of the songs. It also reminded me of how startling and effective the chorus first approach was on The Beatles “Help.” On London Calling, The Clash managed to pull off the delicate balance of variety without taking away from the power of their amped up style. To expect that ability on a debut would be asking a great deal. Putting out one of the ultimate records in a genre is more than enough for a first record.
Good energy, clearly the beginning of punk in Britain. Foot tapping, short songs, quick listen, liked it.
Can't believe I enjoyed this as much as did
It’s quite surprising really that such a straightforward and simplistic sound could shake up the establishment. By the numbers straight up rock n roll with an umpf I know punk was more an attitude than a sound or esthetic. But then again this project has highlighted to me how bland and bloated some of the 70s boomer rock was in 70s - looking at you (steely) Dan and Clapton, et al
Que espectáculo! Tão bom!!
I haven't really listened to The Clash other than London Calling but this is pretty dang solid for a debut album. Just aggressive, high energy 70s punk with short, fast-paced songs and the track list is just stacked. The bass line on "What's My Name" is awesome and I remember "White Riot" from playing Tony Hawk's Underground back in the day, and man, it still hits with that exact same burst of raw, high-speed energy that makes you want to run through a wall. "Janie Jones" kicks things off with a fantastic, urgent punch, and their cover of "Police & Thieves" introduces a really cool reggae rhythm that shows they weren't just a one-trick punk band. "Career Opportunities" has such an infectious, shouting chorus that gets stuck in your head for days, while "London's Burning" carries a gritty, driving intensity that perfectly captures a chaotic city vibe. It is a loud, incredibly fun album where almost every single song has a memorable hook. The deeper cuts feel a little rough but honestly that's half the charm anyway. Favorite song: "What's My Name"
Not sure I've ever listened to this all the way through, though I think I was familiar with nearly all the songs. First listen-through I thought it was a little same-y; later and louder listens I thought it was better and less repetitive. Garageland was the track I didn't know well that felt like a standout. I preferred the UK tracklist to the US version, which felt more like a singles compilation (which it kinda was), with varying recording and production levels, even though the US version replaces a few weaker tunes with better ones. Definite classic, but not as great as London Calling, so I'm on the fence between 4 and 5. 4.5/5
o suco do punk raiva, rebeldia, revolta critica pertinente em todos os tempos prova de q um "marginal" pensa ate mais q um "civilizado"
Good
Pretty dang good. Although my favorite album of theirs is London Calling. Bold statement, I know. Uhhhhh, are the lyrics in White Riot problematic? Or just clumsy class struggle and solidarity something something?
Great! I don’t know this Clash as well as some of the others, but it stands up well next to them.
Pretty good. The “oh yeah”s and “woo-oo” were always weird to me.
London Calling is a favorite of mine, but I've never listened to The Clash's debut album (at least not all the way through). Their sound was so well realized already. Some great tracks, a quintessential punk record, and a good showcase of their songwriting ability. I love their use of politics, one that feels grounded in reality, in real frustration, and not just contrarianism.
Not my favorite Clash album but still good punk.
Imagine this being your debut album... Fuckin class.
Yay
It's early punk, but you can hear the experimentation of the clash start to come through a little bit. Solid album, if not the most memorable
Classic original punk album. Still feels kind of fresh but super vintage all at the same time. Maybe it’s the topics and decent mixes. 4.0/5.0
A very good debut album by this band. Many songs 🎵 showcasing their talents with bigger things to come.
I need to buy this
4/5
Seek out the original album on YouTube vs the somewhat leaden remaster on the streaming services and hear the crisp, brittle charm of songs like "Remote Control" abut the broken glass sentiments of "I'm So Bored with the U.S.A." and that kind of thing throughout the whole album. It points to the larger ambitions the band would manifest and yet is still a fun and meaningful little punk record.
One of my favs from high school. Their most “punk” release for sure
An early punk record that really encapsulates the feel and energy the genre is now for. Such a fun listen, short and sweet - well maybe not so sweet; that's not very punk. Fav Songs White Riot Janie Jones I'm so Bored with the U.S.A. Is it Top 1001 Worthy (is it essential)? Yes, while it's not London Calling, that don't make it any less influential. If you want an engaging punk album, this is it
Fun and short.
Listened to this in the gray drizzling rain on my way to watch the England-Ghana match. Proper good day
US version is definitely the stronger of the 2 releases. Great songwriting.
356/1001 The Clash - s/t Heard before? ✅ Revisit? ✅ One of the best debuts and an album where you could already see where they could head next. Great stuff.
Not quite their best, but still a hell of a debut. An absolute blast of fresh air after the bland dross that I got previously from the 1001 list.
Yep. That's the shit right there.
It's funny how strong punk can be when it's not concerned about being punk. Bonus points for The Clash spelling out the obvious ties between reggae and punk for anybody who didn't get it yet.
This is a proper Punk album. Short tracks, punchy guitar and full of energy. But when you compare this to Black Flag or the Sex Pistols it feels quite mellow by comparison. Joe Strummers vocals are by far the most melodic of the mainstream Punk bands. Does this have the angst and kick of London Calling? No. But you would be hard pressed to find a better debut Punk album. (3.500)
Opening with the punchy two minute "Janie Jones" and calling time with the anthemic "Garageland", The Clash sound a lot more ambitious on their debut record than the other first wave punk bands. They even incorporate their love of reggae on here, with an excellent cover of "Police And Theives". Despite being one of the first punk bands, they can still have a knack to write poppy hooks and a lot of the melodies on here will get stuck in your head. They would go on to become even more ambitious with future releases, but this is one strong debut.
Snarling, spitting, scratching like an alley cat, this debut album comes out of the blocks at a hundred miles an hour and just doesn't let up. There are highs and lows, but when the highs are White Riot Career Opportunities, I'm So Bored With the USA and Police and Thieves, you an forgive the lows. Punk as it should be.
8/10 Good
I tought I hated the Clash but it was surprisingly good ? Wtf ? Maybe its because I hate "Should I stay or should I go" and its alway on the radio and in stranger thing. Most of the time I find punk to be very mid, repetitive and stupid but this was prety fun and the riffs were good. But the songs are super short (another thing I dont like abouth ounk) and I think it makes it hard to realy like them. Thats why I think "Police and thieves" was the best song here.
Harsh sound compared to the following albums, however already shows us what will follow.
Exquisito
thats fun as fuck, dancing type of album there so fucking british holy shit its so fun
Cool album.
Vana hea. Mulle Clash meeldib. Avastasin seda albumit kuulates anda jaoks ühe uue laulu: "What's my name". Vanal briti pungil on oma kindel sound ja võlu. Ma igatsen seda kuulates vahel meloodiat ja võibolla see on ka selle uue laulu võlu, et klassikaliste punkvokaalide vahele on ka kuulda klaari refrääni.
4.5 stars The Clash is my favorite band. So maybe this should be 5 stars. But I don’t want to be biased. While I love this album, I know it’s not perfect. There are some songs that are filler. But the album flows together. It presents the band as they were when they started, all their raw energy. While initially inspired by the Sex Pistols, the Clash came out with this album before Nevermind the Bollocks. They were not goofing around. They defined punk music and would continue to influence artists for decades. It all started here.
Muy bueno
A classic, but London Calling still my favorite
I listened to this album as I walked a new route around downtown Glendale; the album wound up being almost exactly as long as my walk. This debut album from The Clash actually started off a lot more mellow than I was expecting. The vocal style and delivery is definitely and distinctly punk, but the musicianship is a lot closer to typical rock music than I was expecting. I can now tell that this album represents an early point in the history of punk, feeling like a stepping stone for The Clash on their way towards London Calling. This album ended up being a lot more in-line with the sound of some modern punk acts than I would have expected, sometimes feeling more punk in spirit than in sound. The vocals are undeniably punk though, frequently sounding slurred and hard to understand; however, for some reason, this didn't bother me as much on this album was it usually would have. I completely understand why this sound would have pioneered mainstream attention for punk as a genre and a movement, and I can not wait to fully hear how Londond Calling takes yet another step forward on that cultural track. Highlights: Remote Control, White Riot, Hate & War, Deny, London's Burning, Career Opportunities, Cheat, Protex Blue, Police & Thieves, 48 Hours, Garageland
p good classic proto punk. not quite developed to their full incarnation but figuring out classic tropes.
8.5/10 - Really great early punk album. I think the music and the songs are both strong throughout. A great debut album for a legendary band.
Short album, short tracks. Everything works, but not as complete as London Calling.
293 Fantastic debut album. Close to full marks, I’ve always disliked police and thieves though. Highlights Deny Londons Burning Garageland
I'm so bored with the USA
*1997. *I enjoy The Clash, but I'm only familiar with the London Calling (album) songs. *This is a good time and a really solid punk album - 35 mins is also a perfect length. *Will revisit this, but won't listen to on repeat or anything. RATING - 7.5/10
it was really good because the songs were all short lol i dont really like long songs anymore
This doesn't have the big hits of the Clash on it, but this record is the fully formed sound of the band..even if you aren't a big fan, this isn't the Clash you know, but you know it's the Clash.
Love this album, it's solid all the way through. Favorite tracks: Janie Jones, I'm so Bored with the USA, Career Opportunities, Police and Thieves
Great dirty rock sound!
feels like i need to wear a leather jacket to listen to this. other: great fun listen
If you’re looking for songs like ‘Rock The Casbah’, keep on searching because this is a pure punk album. Tons of energy, the guitars and drums are fantastic, and Joe Strummer’s vocals are so hard, fast, and British, you can’t even make out what he’s saying sometimes! Most of the album’s tracks are two minute rock assaults that left me energized, with the exception of the terrible 6-minute cover “Police & Thieves.” If you’re into punk at all, this is a required listen. Strong 4/5
Grew on my after a few listens.. kind of shouty, but I can recognize the significance to music history, which bumps it to a 4
I’m personally more of a London Calling fan, but this album is pretty good too.
Sunday May 17th, 2026. Lots of nice guitar riffs and a good beat. They can be a little hard to understand because of their accents. Lyrics carry a good message, very anti war and anti establishment. Overall pretty good. 7/10. My favorite song of the album was Hate & War.
Aqe
clashing
I don’t think I’ve heard any of these ones before this. Nice early punk sounds here.
Such a classic sound. Iconic. Wonder how many 1* Americans here listened to I’m so Bored of the USA and had to wrap themselves in a flag to console themselves 7.5 / 10 Best track/s: White Riot, Police and Thieves, Remote Control
I loved it, it's very similar to one of my favourite bands and i like the album. I'm gonna be recommending it to my brother now.<3
The intangibles and influence of The Clash overcome this particular album's lack of hits. London Calling is the crown jewel, but this is a very valuable bauble. This album gave the world the punk rock attitude maybe best summed up by Henry Rollins: "This is not a time to be dismayed. This is punk rock time. This is what Joe Strummer trained you for. It is now time to go. You're a good person. That means more now than ever."
This is another seminal punk record, featuring more political content and social criticism. It's an excellent album.
Yeah, this is a good one. Listening today, I only had access to the original UK version, which is cool, but I grew up listening to the US version, which, although it may be a bastardization, I feel is far superior. It includes White Man in Hammersmith Palais, Clash City Rockers, Complete Control, A re-recording of White Riot, and their incredible cover of I Fought the Law, and removes "Deny", "Cheat", "Protex Blue", "48 Hours", and "White Riot" (original version). So, the US version gets a 5. The UK version, for me at any rate, gets a 4. Unsure which to put here, but I guess I'll go with a 4, rating the album as they intended it. It's still good, but there are too many mid-level Clash songs and not enough variation to warrant the full five. Still, these guys are great. And this is one of my favorite album covers.
I mean, it's The Clash!
Good bit of early punk.
Has a song ever do as much damage to a band as “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” Has done to my feelings about The Clash in general? Such a shame that one of the worlds worst songs is forever tied to one of the great punk bands of the 70’s.
The singing sounds half-assed and shouted but not in a bad way. Classic/historic punk music. It fucks. Didn't change my life but it's good. Its The Clash.
it's interesting to notice how the sentiment of these songs feels much more contemporary than about 10 years ago again. Simply because a lot of people decided to fuck up the world. It is some good punk, a bit on the softer side for punk, but that is expected from one of the trailblazers of the genre. It genuinely does feel angry and wants to actually do something, which in my eyes is such a central part of punk in general.
They still have their baby fat, some classics like in here, some not so much. But it’s a goodie!
I loved ittttttt it was so nice to listen to genuinely, it reminds me of what i used to like
Good. Probably not as good as some of their later work but can’t complain
most punk punk
Pure punk action. More technical than the Ramones, more musical than the Sex Pistols. Only complaint is a lack of variation.
Fun enough for the short runtime
I liked London Calling a bit more than this but this is still the best punk rock I’ve heard - not really a fan of the genre overall. Who knew I liked The Clash so much. Opened my eyes.
The Clash’s debut is all about street cred - loud, brash and punk as fuck. You can hear that tunefulness and unique instrumentation in places that will develop and stand out on later albums. For now, it’s just in your face and unapologetic rock.
The Clash at their finest. This is Punk Rock.
me lo esperaba mucho peor, ate that rock!
Great album from one of the best puck rock groups to hit the scene in the late 1970's. The Clash only improved over time!
For some reason this makes me want a steak dinner.
Classic
Мне альбом зашел, смесь панк-рока и немного "грязного" звука заставила меня с утра проснуться. Группа появилась во время кризисов во всем мире. В песнях поднимаются темы насилия, расизма, коррупции, личных проблем, что вполне актуально и сейчас. Единственное, что мне не понравилось - одинаковое звучание и уже на песне 6 становится скучно. Лучшая песня - White Riot
Man I love the clash. Such great post punk music. Glad to see their brilliance extends beyond London Calling! 8/10
Great stuff here.
Liked that it included UK Culture and it's themes. The bass player also did a very good job, he stuck out in a good way.
Really fun, up-tempo, punk rock!
Not London Calling, but still solid.
Quick and very fun listen
Didn't listen to all the songs but the ones I did listen to were good!! I've also listened to other songs by the clash so based on both of them i give it a 4 :)
Sorry to keep giving fours, but this was another super fun album! The clash are energetic, fun, and seem like they were fighting the good fight. Fav song: Deny
The Clash still captures the frustration and desire to riot in these confusing times. Love it.
Sometimes music is fun because the artists making it are clearly having fun. This is one of those albums.
The lyrics are applicable to society today, with mentions of war and police, along with long-standing angst about the corporate rat race.
It's 3.75 but i like the clash
Favorite Track: Protex Blue Least Favorite Track: Janie Jones
Greatest Brit punk rock band of all time (no offense to the Sex Pistols). Clash set the standard. It’s incredible to think this is a debut album. So strong top to bottom. Want to give this a 4.5 because London Calling is even better and I need room for it when comes up.
hat mir sehr gefallen.
4.6
- 3.5/5 - Refreshing punk rock - Lots of repeated background vocals within songs, works for some, gets old quick for others
Imagine your debut album absolutely genre defining and it still only being your 3rd best album. The Clash were the real deal.
White Riot, London’s Burning, Garageland, Janie Jones… and so many more. This is such a better album than Never Mind The Bollocks, which was an overhyped piece of trash. The Clash remain, along with the Damned, THE UK punk band of note. To think they went even higher with London’s Calling and Sandinista!
Crazy to think how this would have hit in 1977.
In the mid 90’s I left London for a period of time- in my head I built a mythic London based on reading the books of Martin Amis, Modern life is rubbish by Blur and this album. This was and is an archetypal London album for me. Sneering, but caring love with the sounds of the city. Punk, yes but also reggae. Politics and the personal intertwined between scything guitars and pulsing bass. The great punk debut album
Quite good, British punk is finally prevailing after some questionable choices on this list.
It is urgent, angry, messy in the right ways, and more thoughtful than its rough surface first suggests.
Pretty good. More influential than great, but lays a template for lots of the more socially conscious punk to come. Manages to do it all without losing sight of the fact that the song still needs to hold the weight
I like The Clash. Do I think they are the only band that matters or they are the only gang in town? No. But they put out some great songs. Super strong debut packed with hits. Complete Control would be any other bands' magnum opus. Not sure why there was a different UK and US version, but I lean to the UK version. I'm shocked there isn't a deluxe version that combines the two. 4.5⭐️
Short and sweet punk album.
It's a foundational album, and it's a good album, but surprisingly I'm not wowed by it. I've heard a lot of these songs for decades. I like them. But I'm not in love with them. 3.6/5
Felt more long and repetitive than i expected. But this is due its genre more than it being boring or dull. I'll be damned if this isn't a fun and energetic album. Some things haven't aged all that well, but it's really representative of that punk mentality and depicts an image of the UK that's important to think about. In some sense, things have not changed in how there's a portion of the population with problems and concerns against the government and the rich people. Nowadays, its just other music genres and more concentrated wealth
Super good wow! Love the lyrics
I think this album gets too much credit, but it is very good. I wish I could do half ratings
Fun, breezy punk debut that would lead to better albums. Top tracks: "Remote Control," "Police & Thieves," "What's My Name," "White Riot"
short cool and funky, love em dissing america
4.0 When I was a teenager and obsessed with Blink & Offspring, and later Green Day & NoFX, my dad tried showing me "real" punk by giving me the Sex Pistols. Didn't think much of it and didn't bother exploring anything else pre-90s. In hindsight this would have been a much better shout. Sex Pistols were too gimmicky, these guys can actually play. Lots more similarities to the pop-punk that came later, not in a detracting way. Really enjoyed this, even more so than the later Clash ones that have appeared on here. Will explore some more.
The Clash fant formen fra start og er naturlig kule.
Snill firer.
Mye å like her. God energi, gode tekster, middels bra synging. Men det kler dem.
Nice short and sweet 35 min
I generally dislike punk but mostly enjoyed this. Which probably shows how good it is
Not The Clash's greatest album (London Calling), but an outstanding debut. Despite being considered an iconic punk band, the genre-hopping which would characterize much of their later work is already visible on this album. Highlights for me: Remote Control, Career Opportunities, Police and Thieves, Janie Jones.
A classic.
4/5 As expected from the Clash, a well-rounded, interesting album that keeps your attention. I liked it.
Fantastic album from a legendary band. Great energy, with their iconic punk sound and themes.
Just good punk album.
im bored with the usa
Formative. Could use a nip and a tuck but overall there are essential Clash tunes in here. Especially Janie Jones and I’m So Bored with the USA…
Glad to have an album of a different genre pop up today, although this is the second album I've had from The Clash since starting this. The Clash is definitely one of the classic punk bands and there are some classic songs on this album. I find this album a bit more repetitive than some of their other albums, but it was still fun to listen to it on a Friday morning!
Just like London Calling popping up for me 3 months ago, this is so much better than I thought it would be and wish I had given the Clash a chance so long ago.
Enjoyed it a lot! Feel good punk!
Love it, it feels like sitting round your angry mates house putting the world to rights
Punk!
Prototypical punk rock, defining for the whole genre. The signature Clash sound, but less polished than the later albums. Still a great listen and fun to see how the band developed from here.
é top massss meio pão com farinha
I didn’t expect to like this more than London Calling, but I did.
c00l
It's obviously amazing, but saving my 5th star because this isn't London Calling
malo me je smaralo na pocetku al do jaja mi je bilo na kraju, bas gotivim engleski rok taj sarkasticni goofy rock
no doubt a very influential album, wasn’t expecting to know a lot of these songs from just listening in passing before, Police & Thieves being so recognizable and a HIT. the quality sounds so good for being a punk album from the 70s
I like this. I'm not a huge fan of punk in general, but the Clash are definitely my favourite punk band.
A great debut that doesn’t outstay its welcome, unlike some Clash albums (I’m looking at you, Sandinista), their best album is of course, London’s Calling but this hints at some of what’s to come.
I continue to hear the influence on bands that came after. Not an album I’ll return to often, but clearly a classic for a reason.
I should've listened to this earlier! This is closer in quality to London Calling than I was expecting, even though it's rawer and more straightforward punk rock overall. 8/10
Love the raw energy on this one, but still my mind can't stop comparing it with debuts like the sex pistols and ramones.
Loves this. I obviously know the clash, but not their debut album. Classic punk and the setting for the genre as we know today. Real, authentic, and still relevant
Loved this. I can totally see their influence.
Classic Clash album
Hardcore punk
(5/7) fuel for my rebellious streak
Un sonido mas crudo respecto a los discos siguientes. Un gran álbum con algunos clásicos.
Heavily slept on and underrated album
9/10 me gusta the clash
Really nice, lowkey gives walking in london vibes. Gives off a good old british album vibe - probably because it is. Enjoyable album but not really my vibe.
This was better than the last Clash album we had. But as I said in my previous review, my bar is set at the Ramones, and everything else comes after them.
I've always wanted to be more into punk than I am, and this album kind of illustrates why. Some of sickest guitar solos you've ever heard are just too often paired with horrendous lyrics and vocals. It never gets that bad here, but it does hold it back from being a 5/5. Police & Thieves is worth a full star on its own too.
4
Didn’t love white riot but most of the rest is good classic rock.
Great debut. #johnsvinyl
Loved it great running soundtrack
Not being the biggest fan of punk, historically I've never really sought out the music of The Clash but obviously heard a fair bit over the years and more recently have listened to both _Give 'Em Enough Rope_ and _London's Calling_. This is my introduction to their debut though.... ... and it's solid and likely would have had a big impact at the time but perhaps now lacks the punchiness, particularly in the production, that it might have had to hear this in 1977. That said I was drawn in by what are undeniably catchy, singalong choruses of the likes of _Janie Jones_, _I'm So Bored with the USA_, _London's Burning_ and _Career Opportunities_, which are definitely the strength of this album. I initially thought the verses lacked the same quality but over a few more listens, I came to realise that these songs are much better written than I gave them credit for despite the relative raw-ness of them. It's punk and nobody can deny the raw energy of a song like _White Riot_ but there's a lot of melodic moments here that are already hinting at both where The Clash will go and also where punk would evolve into post punk. There are a few throwaway moments that mainly come in the last few songs, the exception being _Police & Thieves_. In one sense a strange choice of cover given that, at over 6 minutes, it's twice the length of the next longest song and yet it works! A highlight of the album and once again points in the direction of where the band would go. I would have closed the album with it though. After an initially concerning start, the debut has definitely won me over. It's raw but there's a lot to enjoy here. It's probably unlikely to ever be my favourite music, and probably not my fave album of there's but I will revisit for sure
Solid punk album. Will probably revisit.
A classic.
1/1001 What a great first entry into this journey. The Clash is such a funky and groovy rock album, with the artists still managing to get their politics out without dragging the vibe (if anything enhancing it). Highlights: Remote Control, Deny, Police & Thieves
good punk album
We are reviewing the British version here, which is a shame because this is one of the few records where the American release is far superior, including White Man in Hammersmith Palais, Clash City Rockers, I Fought the Law and others. Even in its lesser state, it's an audacious debut that is far more interesting to me than the Pistols. The Clash would quickly move away from punk and broaden their musical palette greatly. In American form, it's a 5 but the original UK version is a strong 4
Significantly more enjoyable than some of the other early punk albums.
I spent a long time wondering whether to give this an 8 — four stars by the international system — or a 9, and therefore five stars. In the end, on the third listen, one song tipped the balance. In the wrong direction, unfortunately. More on that later. Cliffhanger! But before we reach the conclusion, we should start at the beginning. This is The Clash’s debut album, released at the height of the punk explosion. And yet there is something slightly odd about it. The Clash are one of punk’s central characters, but listen closely and you can already hear the outlines of where they would soon be heading. The transition towards new wave is already lurking in the background. The clearest example is their cover of Police & Thieves, where The Clash take the first steps towards the reggae influences that would become increasingly common among former punk bands and bands in punk’s slipstream. The Police, obviously, would take that particular road rather further. In any case, while much of the music here may be three-chord rock, there is considerably more going on than that suggests. The album’s high point is one of the most iconic punk songs ever recorded — and given that punk’s initial explosion lasted about two years, that is saying something. Try finding a more quintessential punk song than White Riot. I’m So Bored with the USA gives it a decent run for its money, complete with the characteristic “rugby choir” shouting its way through the chorus. This album is fresh, energetic and catchy. But nearly fifty years later, it is also rather difficult to listen to it entirely on its own terms. That applies to almost everything on this list, of course: we no longer hear these records as people did when they appeared, when the musical canon obviously consisted only of albums that had already been released. Since then we've had the entire new-wave explosion, underground guitar rock in the eighties, alternative rock in the nineties and another few decades of successful guitar bands. Generation after generation has drawn inspiration from the revolution that turned the musical world upside down, particularly in 1977 — celebrated by some, despised by many others, and apparently still capable of making people angry today. That innocence is simply no longer available to us. And honestly, I think this album has aged just slightly less well than Never Mind the Bollocks. Speaking of influence: I don't think I'd previously realised quite how enormous The Clash’s influence was on one of my favourite bands ever, Mano Negra. I still bitterly regret never seeing them live. Anyway, why the 8 rather than the 9? Well, this album ends with Garageland. Or rather, the UK version of the album does, which is the one I listened to because, naturally, that is the one sitting in my collection. The US version removes four tracks and adds five others. Sigh. One of those five is the cover of I Fought the Law, which Mano Negra also covered. I’m wandering off again. Garageland. Joe Strummer sings it so unbelievably out of tune that even punk aesthetics can’t save it. The vocals throughout the album are, shall we say, unpolished, but here it actually hurts my ears. And surely that isn't necessary. Punk may be about rejecting polish. It doesn't have to mean rejecting pitch.
8/10 I like the idea of the Clash more than the actuality. I love that this was recorded for a fiver - it's raw and immediatem I just think, as I dig into their music, the songs are just not as strong as some of their contemporaries...
this is their best album
Awesome sounds. I love this raw first (UK) wave punk style. There's something so pure about the sound and the songwriting. Produced something like perfectly for what it is. Much more enjoyable for me than most of it's contemporary punk records. Love what it went on to inspire, but also a great fun listen in itself.
Good old fashioned punk.
I liked it
Noch ziemlich Rough. Mehr Punk als bei den späteren Alben, aber man hört wo die Reise hingeht. Wird noch öfter laufen!
A great punk album, if not a little repetitive by the end. The beginning of the album, specifically I’m So Bored of the USA and White Riot stand out to me.
Really good album. Janie Jones was my song of the album with Remote Control and Garageland as my other highlights
8/10 awesome punk rock
this is the first punk album i've ever heard. for some unknown reason it has been in my parents cd collection. that's how i found it when i was 14 and that's how my journey with punk started <3
First time listening to The Clash and it’s funny because I just encountered this same album at the record store the other day. This album seems to have been released in the midst of the punk movement in the U.K. and the lyrics cover everything from anti-war, critiques of the U.S. and U.K. and anti-capitalism. “Janie Jones” is an energetic opener that sets the tone for what’s to come. “Police and Thieves” not only had poignant lyrics but the bass line has been stuck in my head. Their commitment to being unabashedly themselves is evident, as “Garageland” reminds the audience that no matter the success, their origins are as a garage band. Listen Again?: Yes
Among the best in punk music.
Classic Brit punk
😃
Full of energy and fight
Hyvä levy, pitäisi kuunnella enemmän Clashia. 3,5/5.
Pure punk!
Top punk album
Reminds me a lot of Ramones. A slobber knocker of an album right from the get go, with the lyricism that is rather primitive but pointed, making the societal rage against the failing systems accessible to the masses.
Great debut album! High energy throughout, a tight 35 minutes for 14 tracks. I'm looking forward to listening to this band again later on (I saw "London Calling" is on this list). 4/5 stars.
There's a British faculty member in my Communications department who runs the student paper. One day last year, I asked him about The Clash and he proceeded to ramble on with song after song for 20 minutes. It was quite the experience and now that I'm here, I can tell why he idolizes these guys as the greatest rock band of all time. Most of these songs are well-written and performed. In comparison to the other British punk album I've heard (Bollocks by the Sex Pistols), this one has more substance and staying power to it. If I recall, a lot of Never Mind The Bollocks was the same well-done British man anger that I ended up forgetting. This has much more I can work with, especially Police And Thieves. White Riot's a classic, Janie Jones, Bored with The USA, Career Opportunities, etc. There's a string of songs that I'm not too impressed by and that brings down the score. But considering that I have the Pistols a 3, consider this an improvement (8/10, 4/5 on this scale)
Very good. But not as good as the great London Calling. Barely a 4.
Nancy hates the clash, I like them
70s punk debut. One of the most important punk albums, some classics of the genre. Exactly what you think it is, fun, good natured punk.
Fantastic debut. Catchy with lyrics that still resonate
Strong album with some great songs. This is the Clash that I remember.
Iconic album. For better or worse. They pushed Punk into the mainstream.
Great punk album but their later material was much more interesting.
Very nice rock
I thought it's gonna be punk, or smth more in my style, but it wasn't. Still good tho
Like it
I would give this album a 6 out of 10, first release, and it definitely gave me sense of where the band would move in the future. When compared to other punk bands I think the Clash had a lot more going on than the few peers that they had.
i love punk so this album was very solid, although not exactly a 5. deny was my favorite off of it
Really really good punk album. For fans of any punk music, new or old, this has so many of the hallmarks that make the genre great. So many singable songs, with messages as relevant today as they were when they written. Giving it a 4.5 out of 5 purely because I did get a bit of fatigue by the end. The only problem with songs that last 90 seconds to 2 minutes is they don't leave much space for progression so run that risk of all blending in to one. Still a top album though.
i freaking love the clash
Like a 8/10 album. Very good and consistent sound janie jones and white riot were incredible. Not a outstanding album but really good
Niet geluisterd zaad maar vind de clash wel leuk vgm
Stand-out tracks: Remote Control - fun lyrics, good instrumentals (especially that guitar solo about halfway through) White Riot - short, but damn catchy Deny - I like how diverse the guitar is in this one and the tempo changes are cool London's Burning - another short and catchy one Police Thieves - its length gives it room to breathe unlike most of the other tracks Garageland - the drums are fun on this one I don't know what I was expecting from a punk rock album, lots of hate in the lyrics (they hate the system, the US, the army, the police) and shouting. Never really listened to punk much, so this was a nice surprise. The songs are fast paced and short so they are over before you know it, but they are catchy. I do feel the album would benefit from having a few more developed longer songs instead of a bunch of half-assed short songs to fill the track list.
Highlights: Janie Jones, I'm so Bored with the U.S.A., White Riot, Hate & War, London Burning, Career Opportunities, Cheat, 48 Hours Interesting listen. Don't like punk all that much, having dabbled in it only a little bit (mainly Sex Pistols whom I found to be quite "simple"). But after combing through this record I can say I do like the Clash. I knew I liked their post punk music (since it generally is more popular overall), but the punk also turned out great. I was amused by the overall "Britishness" of these punks. It's got a very distinct British character with all these cultural references that feel like a bygone era - domestic condom brand dispensers in a pub bathroom, mentions of Daleks and some TV talent show, dread of an upcoming Thatcher government and so on. Even so, the themes are timeless. The mid-70's were politically similar to the 2020's so the political tracks were a highlight.
Excellent punk
Good
Blind album, know the artist and the hits. T'was good! Pretty much what I expected and I feel this has aged well and more rough for an earlier album.
This isn't quite London Calling but it's still really great, fun, enjoyable punk
Punk & fun.
cool brit punk. Pretty fun. Not my favourite kind of music for sure but it was pretty well done IMHO and I definitely heard the influence they had on other bands (Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, Rancid).
dobry album pozdro, odbiega od mojej muzyki na co dzien, ale still jest bangerem
Classic punk. Upbeat and influential.
Wow, this album is short. The songs sound good on this album except all the songs sound lowkey the same, so it’s like I like the songs but it sounds like I’m listening to 35 minutes of one song instead of 14 different songs. I like the songs on this album, they sound good and I might listen to them later, but I can’t name one that I liked more than the others because none of the songs really stuck out. So, all in all, good album, but could be more interesting.
Originally I wrote a long winded rant about punk rock in 1977 and the differences in the US versus UK versions of this album, but I forgot to save it. So instead of writing the whole thing again I’ll just say it’s a really good album and a definite 4/5.
respect
Absolute Classic. Police & Thieves is still stuck in my head after all these years.
Janie Jones, Remote Control, White Riot, London's Burning, Police & Thieves, such a great record, hard to pick a favorites. Well, I just did.
Hmmmmm, svårt att betygsätta. Ändå en ganska bra bit från London Calling och Sandinista som albumupplevelse, men det utger sig inte heller för att vara det. I all sin enkelhet, för vad det vill vara, vad det blev och vad som följt efter det är är det ändå klass. Några hits där Police & Thieves har en plats på min topp 20-Clash. Landar nog trots allt i en stark fyra och svär än en gång över att betygsskalan är så liten.
Debuten är ju underbart rå. Texterna är perfekta i sin punkiga enkelhet men musiken blir ändå bättre senare i karriären. Finns några fullträffar med I’m So Bored…, White Riot, Career Opportunities och covern på Police & Thieves. Ruskigt nära full pott!
1 januari 1977, ett släppdatum som förpliktigar. Och vilken jävla rökare till debut! Aldrig tänkt på hur gullig ”white riot” är, att den mest handlar om att de vill va lika balla som de svarta ungdomarna, som när de har det tufft i alla fall inte har nåt emot att ”kasta lite sten”.
Första två lyssningarna på tuben: Förutom sista som knappt räknas är det här det av Clash album jag lyssnat på minst som helhet. Finns några riktiga klassiker, några som försöker klia samma erogena punkt men inte lyckas lika bra. Fan om inte Police & Thieves, en cover, är bäst på plattan? 77-punkrått men man hör ju redan här att det finns en hel del finess som kom att blomma ut på London Calling. Men jävlar vad bra det måste varit live. Lät väl typ så här då, fast svettigare. 3/5. Tredje lyssningen, fredag kväll, på vinyl och dansa med Lo: Det här är kul, rått och kanske bästa punkpunkiga albumet nånsin
A nice old punk album. I do have a soft spot for strummer
Excellent punk album and a legacy work. Raw vocals and a unique reggae-influenced sound. No true misses, although The Clash hasn't truly peaked yet. Can't wait to inevitably get London Calling in the future.
Vibes 10/10 Zang 5/10
Loved thiss!!!! Imo it was kinda like The Smiths and Dandy Warhols kinda vibes.
Great
Continually changing and staying interesting without losing its punk edge.
8/10
Нормальный альбом. Панк-рок, неплохо звучит, послушать можно
Maybe once I listen to it again it’ll be better, but already pretty good
Got already
Had this been an instrumental album, I might've given it a five. Loved the guitars! However, the vocals were off putting to me. Most of the lyrics were worth hearing, but their delivery brought the album down for me.
Just incredibly tight for a debut punk record. And surprisingly dynamic too. The more bittersweet melodic passages in “Remote Control” dont scream teeth-gnashing 70’s punk, but damn it works so well. I also feel that “I’m So Bored With The USA”! How relatable! To know that British people were experiencing the same burnout caused by Americas geopolitical activities that we experience today, it’s oddly comforting. “Landon’s Burning” must’ve hit the consciousness of the bitter, conservative, elderly British population like a truck. All of this album, really. It’s all so honest, vitriolic and well-performed, all at once. Listen to that chorus on “Career Opportunity”!! Stellar bit of songwriting and infectious vocal performance. It’s my perfect microcosm of punk music - makes you want to dance and rage at the same time. It’s a 4/5. Not complete perfection but nothing bad about this record at all. The chemistry is palpable especially for a debut record
Me gusto el album excepto 1 canción. De ahí me dio curiosidad su otro álbum London Calling. Lo único es que ninguna canción me llamó la atención. Pero si es un album sólido. Por eso 4/5. Además para ser album debut es bastante bueno.
Great albumn love the clash
Great album! Mainly holding back from giving this a 5, because it doesn't feature many big singles which means there's other, likely better Clash albums on this list.
Wait this is so fire. I loooveee I’m so bored with the USA and white riot Hate and war is sooo so so real. The lyrics. LMAKO. what’s my name is so funny cs “I tried to join a ping pong club” it reminded me of Marty Supreme but this album came out in 1977 Deny is so good too “your selling your no-no all the time” LMAOO I love the clash Woah wait are they talking abt addiction?? “You said you ain’t had none for weeks. Baby I see your arms you’re such a liar”. Woahhhh Londons burnings got a beat tho Career opportunities is literally me rn 😭 Cheat has a lot of cursing huh 🤨 Honestly I love their music it’s like they’re telling a story and I feel like this is the kind of music I would hear in a movie. I love it Fav song from this album; Protex blue Least fav song; Police and Theives
Good for an energy boost
What a blast! The debut of the only band that matters. They came out swinging.
I was only familiar with London Calling. In comparison, this feels much closer to the punk "ideal", dirty, gritty, angry, not over-produced.
Unfortunately, this one's getting graded on a curve. I came to The Clash through London Calling, and then Sandinista, so by the time I got to the S/T, it felt shallow. And it feels shallow. It's some solid '77 punk, a head and shoulder above contemporaries, but it seems like I can FEEL the lack of expanse that the later work has, and so for that reason alone it feels...incomplete? It's not like the punk of this era was particularly deep, but with the Sex Pistols I feel like it's a complete package. They did what they did, but then moved on, in their ways. Never Mind The Bollocks was the apex. This? Well, they got better. They got smarter. And maybe it's informed by history, but I feel like it's palpable on this album. With that out of the way, it's still good. The first four songs bang hard and the sound has been imitated so many times - maybe better in places, but never all at once. The Clash were really something special. This album loses itself in the middle a little bit, but picks back up on the back - interestingly, with the US release stuff. It's simply (heh) held back the fact that it doesn't live up to the later stuff, it doesn't reach the heights. Also, maybe an unpopular opinion: I prefer the Sandinista version of Career Opportunities.
Did not expect to like this album. Was expecting it to be more chaotic that it turned out to be. Moments of crazy distortion coupled with some really interesting musical moments and melody/chord choices that I’m not used to hearing in punk. Loved the messiness. The mix is really well balanced and clear- was expecting it to be a bit more scattered. Lyrics are tongue in cheek but still very political. Musically and politically fuck with this record. I can feel the grit and emotion in it too. Digging the history of punk and its political involvement- how it runs counter to established musical conventions of the time, that’s how this shits supposed to be. ‘I don’t wanna hear about what the rich are doing, I don’t want to go where the rich are going’ fuck yeah
Album # 16 The Clash: The Clash I remember the first time I heard the title track to London Calling, and immediately I fell in love with such an energetic and powerful song. It wasn’t too long after that that I decided to listen to the album in its entirety, which was rare for me at the time, especially for an album that was over an hour. Songs like Lost in the Supermarket, Spanish Bombs, and Train in Vain quickly became some of my most played. I have always considered myself a fan of the Clash, even venturing into their album Combat Rock; yet, somehow, I never felt compelled to listen to their self-titled debut, and what a mistake that was. This thing is all certified bangers, the true essence of a punk album; short, energetic songs that have something to say and stick with you. The length ensures that it never once begins to tire on you; at no point was I ever anything but engaged when listening. The opening track sets the stage perfectly and might just be one of my favourite Clash songs. I feel like I can’t say that the album is better than London Calling, since the highs on that album are timeless, but I will say that it is certainly more consistent throughout, with no song feeling like below a 7. It’s not hard to see how The Clash were able to separate themselves from the other garage punk bands of the time, and why their legacy has remained far superior to that of their peers. Best Tracks: Janie Jones, Deny, Police and Thieves Worst Track: 48 Hours Score out of 10: 9
id say a 7/10. it’s good, but i have trouble understanding some stuff. reminds me of gta radio. lol. but it’s not bad, might buy it as a cd
Tired of your visiting boomer in-laws? Put this on at high volume to make them leave.
The Clash is one of my favorite punk bands. And one of my favorite bands to dance to. I can do a whole cardio workout to this album. They are very Brit-ISH. Great album! (but not quite as good as London Calling)
Along with the pistols and the damned, one of the key UK punk albums, compact and concise and just waiting for Topper Headon to give them a more stylistic options.
4.5 stars I really like this album. London Calling is one of my favorite records of all-time and I prefer the variety & musicality of that album. But if I'm wanting to listen to a straight line punk album, this would be near/at the top of my list. I think of all the punk bands that I've listened to, the Clash have my favorite vocal harmonies. there's a sensitivity to Strummer, Jones, etc. while still remaining pissed off/punk.
I really enjoyed this album! Definitely my favorite punk on this list so far. They feel way more competent on their instruments, and because of that seem more willing to incorporate other genres/older influences. A lot of the songs have really good hooks/riffs that overall make everything way more interesting. Overall, just a really solid album that holds up well. The bass playing is super good and does a lot of work moving the songs along. I wish Police & Thieves or another break from the pretty consistent song structure of the album came up earlier. Standout Tracks: Janie Jones, London’s Burning, Police & Thieves
Peak Brit punk, this and London Calling are The Clash at their best
I am of the opinion that The Clash are one of the best class off '77 punk bands. And while their future is not really indicated here, The Clash's debut is a great punk album and a bottled moment of cultural significance. This is a *Punk* album, archetypally and inarguably. No matter what punk becomes, this will still be punk. This is a defining document for the genre: the youthful energy, the righteous anger, and the attitude. The Clash had a lot of very intelligent points, but very importantly refused to present their ideas in a more "acceptable" way. The Clash made people meet their ideas on their own terms and forced people to acknowledge the fact that the expectation of conventionally articulate politics is constructed, and sometimes the angry, snotty youth know what they're talking about. What The Clash have here is kind of punk culture in a nutshell. Aside from cultural significance, the music here has aged pretty well too. Punk *has* come a long way from the class of '77, but this is still fiery and energetic and catchy from start to end. They even pull off the 6 minute Police & Thieves. I do think there are other eras and forms of punk that speak to me more, just aesthetically. But the intensity and staying power here cannot be argued.
Denna är ju inte i närheten av mästerverket London Calling, men tycker ändå att det är en bra skiva. Gillar tempot och drivet och i synnerhet första halvan har många bra låtar.
fun
Very punk. Very guitar. Very garage.
i always thought the clash’s top hits were pretty meh, but i was really surprised by this one! hard to believe their later work has more popularity when this album exists.
Used to be obsessed with the clash in middle school, great band and album
I like this a lot
Diverse and powerful
Not as good as London Calling ofcourse, but still a great record
Spot on. Right.
Strong album. Lots of power.
Generally my ceiling for punk albums is 3-stars. However given the overall influence of this album, 4-stars seems appropriate
Not as good as London calling, but it's a very good punk album
Great! I wish I was more of a fan.
Not as good as their best but it sets the foundation of their ability to create catchy riffs and hooks for multiple genres
Kocham ten zespół. Nie byłam wcześniej tego pewna, ale już jestem. Proste melodie, ale są tak chwytliwe, tak prosto w serce, że nie da się nie tupać nogą. Ta płyta jest lepsza niż suma czynników - tekstów, wokali, instrumentów. Jest w niej duch epoki. 8/10
This album feels like the cliche beach day, grabbing a beer, throwing a Frisbee, splashing the water. I feel like I like the deeper cuts than I do the popular cuts. Hate & War is a banger For a 35 minute album its slightly repetitive. Granted it is the 70's. Each song though its short and to the point Police & Thieves is a banger Surprised, liked this album a lot more than I thought I would. Great lyrics, catchy Punk chorus's Thinking 7/10
Slightly dated I guess, but still powerful. An enjoyable listen. Shockingly I had never listened to this in its entirety before, so good to rectify that.
Through this process, it’s interesting listening to the best albums/bands from certain eras/genres and comparing them. To me, the Clash is to 70s/80s punk/post punk what Nirvana is to 90s grunge. Just head and shoulders above their peers and defining the genre. I hadn’t listened to this album before and it’s awesome. More straightforward punk than their subsequent albums and maybe less creative but even in their debut they almost sound overqualified for the music they’re making.