Reviews (page 6 of 14)
The songs are quite samey. Its not bad, but not my style. None of the songs jumped out to me, and I can't see myself listening to it again.
Great energy, so much fun. I personally have always disliked the tempo of The Clash.
well it’s definitely the clash
4.5
This album started off so strong, but as it went on I felt like it was a little hot and cold. Some song connected with me in a big way and some just fell flat. Best Track: Police & Thieves
Some great classic punk rock. None of the major hits from their history are here, but it's a great debut for another great UK punk band.
I know the Clash are THE punk band and this may be the ultimate album… but it’s not for me. In 1977 I would have been listening to - Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd,AC/DC, Clapton, STYX, Kansas- all the music the Clash is rebelling against. Add 48 years to the equation and the Clash are even less appealing to me now than they were then 2 stars
Close to a 5 star rating, this album is sublime
Album 50/1001 I hate that I can't help thinking of Ian Rubbish & The Bizzaros every time I hear Joe Strummer now. 🖕🏻🖕🏽🖕🏾🖕🏿 Favourite lyrics: REMOTE CONTROL 🖕 Repression, gonna start on Tuesday Repression, gonna be a Dalek Repression, I am a robot Repression, I obey DENY 🖕 I'm a fool, I can't be cool I've read one too many books I believe everything I read When it's written in the slush-filled paper Deny You're such a liar. I'M SO BORED WITH THE USA 🖕 Yankee detectives are always on the TV Because killers in America work seven days a week I'm so bored with the USA But what can I do? Move up, for the CIA Suck on Kojak for the USA WHITE RIOT 🖕 Black man gotta lot a problems But they don't mind throwing a brick White people go to school Where they teach you how to be thick White riot - I wanna riot White riot - a riot of my own LONDON'S BURNING 🖕 London's burnin' with boredom now London's burnin' Dial 99999 CHEAT 🖕 You wanna survive, you better learn how to lie You better cheat, cheat, no reason to play fair Cheat, cheat, or don't get anywhere Cheat, cheat, if you can't win Don't use the rules They're not for you, they're for the fools And you're a fool, if you don't know that So use the rule, you stupid fool HATE AND WAR 🖕 Hate and war, I hate all the English, man Hate and war, they're just as bad as wops Hate and war, I hate all the politeness Hate and war, I hate all the cops Hate and war, I want to walk down any street Hate and war, looking like a creep Hate and war, I don't care if I get beat up Hate and war, by any rotten Greek Favourite song: White Riot 👨🏻🦲✊🏻🖕🏻🪧 Honourable mention: Remote Control 🎮🐑 I'm So Bored with the USA 🇺🇸 🥱 London's Burning 🇬🇧🌆🔥 Hate and War 🖕🪖 Deny 🚫⛔️ Police & Theives 👮♂️🥷 Career Opportunities 👨⚖️👨🍳👨🔧👨🔬👨💻👨✈️👨🚒👮♂️💂♂️👷♂️ 4½ / 5
London's burning!!!
Good solid punk rock and a nice preview of the legendary album they'd put out 2 years later.
Not a big Clash fan, even though they seem to line up with my sensibilities. I would say this is a 4, but might be a 3.5 for me.
White Riot 1:56 seconds of Real Punk Not like the commercial shite that was the Pistols I saw Joe Stummer live at a working men's club doing a benefit gig for Yorkshire miners( people who worked down a pit not children) such an ordinary bloke
Nice one
Honestly kind of a vibe. Punk isn't my main genre of interest but the melodies are earworms and the musicianship is actually pretty good. Some pretty rad guitar solo. The drums are genuinely one of the highlights of the tracks minus the content of the lyrics. Good lyricism throughout. The vocals, while not great, serve the songs rather well. And genuinely give the tracks character. Pretty good. Added 2 songs to a playlist.
This was a lot of fun and makes sense as a response to what was happening musically elsewhere at the time.
Just one of my favorite albums and one of the best ever.
Mais um pra lista, mas não desgostei
never got the clash. better punk out there
Very beach boys like, understandably
THE PUNK LP TO OWN !! One of my all time favorites !
Listening late, early rating
I didn't realize the US and UK versions of this were different, but this track list is definitely different than the one I am used to. Still a great listen, top marks.
Underwhelmed for all the hype the clash gets
Nothing to rave about. Good tunes but all very similar sounding.
Ok album, wasn’t super interesting. No songs really stood out. Was easy to listen to but just didn’t hold my attention too much.
No me ha terminado de gustar, creo que hay otros temas suyos pertenecientes a otros álbumes que pueden estar mejor.
Veldig kult album. Dette treffer bra, god gammal punk. Kommer til å høre igjen!
There are two versions of this record… the UK version and the US version (released in 1979). They have different track lists. Both versions should not be missed as this is essential listening.
Fairly good punk stuff, not nearly as good as London Calling but still some solid songs on here
Gold…Punk Gold!
Classic
Okay but a bit too samey-sounding. I prefer their other records. 3 stars
Previously rated: #560 - London Calling ***************************** Album #947 Their first album sounds a bit basic and no-frills compared to what they would do later, but this was a pretty good start to their punk careers.
A 4 or a 3
Not for me
Like the album and will listen to a few songs outside of a regular album listen
I REALLY do not like British punk. Everyone else really seemed to enjoy it, but personally, found something about it unenjoyable. 2/5.
392 albums in, what fees like a third of them have been punk, but not a single Rush album (yet). Feels like a crime. These guys whinge, like all the other punks out there.
4+
7/10
When you think of punk rock, you think of the Clash. Ramones sure, but it better be the Clash. Favorite Tracks: Janie Jones, I'm so Bored with the USA, White Riot, Police & Thieves, Garageland
Eh. 1.5 outta 5
Good, not my favorite.
ACTUALLY ENJOYED THIS SO MUCH like im a sucker for long songs but i loved how short the songs were and they just felt more relevant now than ever, weirdly comforting favourites were im so bored of the usa (real) and police & thieves
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.
“He's in love with rock 'n' roll!” Strummer, Jones, Simonon, and Headon took Britain and the World by storm with this blistering debut!
Enjoyable album, pretty much what I'm expecting from the clash and it didn't disappoint.
A favorite ❤️
This was great, a fantastic debut and a really fun album. I think this is a gateway album into punk - it's very accessible and easy to listen to. All around enjoyable.
I would have given this album 5 stars if we hadn't listened to London Calling so recently, but this album is definitely slightly below that one in my mind. The high points are amazing but the lesser-known songs are lesser-known for a reason. On historical importance alone this probably deserves 5 stars, but I can't give it a perfect score. It goes into the high 4.9s with Ill Communication and others.
Found it more inventive with somewhat better musicianship that equivalent US punk debuts, like the Ramones.
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.
Definitely prefer this to London calling
so dynamic on this
I know it's punk and all but they don't really even seem to try and sign. But overall there were some good tracks.
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.
Not something I’d listen to everyday, but appreciate the influences it had on other artists I like. The Clash continues to speak to the same political environment we’ve had for the past 40+ years. Would I listen to again? Maybe
Cool classic punk. Gotta love it
This album feels a little lifeless and lacking energy. I mean, it definitely tries to be energetic, but every song here, for some reason, sound like everyone was a little tired while recording it. This is probably a quirk of the recording, but this album sounds way too clean for what it tries to do and therefore lacking detail. It's not not enjoyably, through. It certainly isn't on the same level as London Calling (although I'm not a massive fan of that record either—it's not the most consistent thing ever, in my opinion), but it's still fine. It's just a little bare-bones and not as exciting as it probably should've been.
Not bad.
Thank God they didn't forgot to include the first album of the Clash, like they did to The Damned. Maybe not as groundbreaking as "Never Mind the Bollocks" but musically a lot more interesting than the Sex Pistols' debut imo, with classics as "white Riot" and "London's Burning" and of course their first experiments with reggae, Junior Murvin's "Police and Thieves" cover. It also didn't bore me over time, as where I can't listen to "the Bollocks" anymore. Even so, I still prefer "London Calling" or "Sandinista" over this record because of their eclectic approach, especially on the latter, therefore 4/5.
L'instrumental est excellent, mais sérieusement, les voix....
Music is good, but can't understand a word they're saying. This American is so bored with The Clash. Fucking enunciate a word or two sometimes. Only decent songs were London's Burning and Police & Thieves. The Clash does go on to sing waaaaay better songs. This album is seriously by the same group that sang the excellent Should I Stay Or Should I Go? Rock The Casbah? I Fought The Law? Glad they got better after this. Best song: London's Burning
love this is an album i’ve listened to since i was a kid
Good collection of punk songs, but its no London Calling, and if London Calling is a 5, this can only be a strong 3
Closer to 3.5
I like the Clash … but 14 songs in a row by them was a bit much. All kinda blended in to one big song
Classic punk, fits a ton of banger songs into 35 minutes, just feels like the late 70s London. Just needed a "fuck Maggie Thatcher" song...
Without doubt in my opinion the greatest punk album ever made - every track an absolute classic
Classic clash
A great one, top tier album with so many great tracks.
Favs: I’m so bored with the U.S.A; Police & Thieves; Cheat
Good stuff. Always been aware of the Clash and know several of their tunes, but the first time I listened to their debut album. Nice, early punk sound.
Did not love the vocals, but appreciated the lyrics and instruments. Favorite songs: Tommy Gun, White Riot
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
Aware of The Clash and their incredibly important position in music history. There is no other singer like Joe Strummer. This album is neat. Good riffs, strong bass lines, not much I'd go back to. I already love Police and Thieves but the rest of the album is good punk.
המון המון אנרגיה ורוח מרד כמו שאופייני לקלאש, בנוסף לשילוב די מגניב של כמה שירים שונים אבל עדיין לא מעוצב עד הסוף בשלב הזה
It was a little repetitive for me. I don't really listen to punk, but this was a good introduction. Standout Songs: Hate & War, What's My Name, London's Burning, Career Opportunities, Police & Thieves (loved the bass line).
Hmm. Furious energy, sharp-edged commentary. But man, it’s three chords over and over.
Pretty fun listen, just not super my type of music, would give high 3 if possible
oi you got a license for all that british
Low 3. Comically British album
They were not quite there yet
The clash is lame
One of at least 3 five star albums by The Clash
Repetitive …2.5
Not as amazing as I’d expect given how famous they are.
Who listens to this and considers it music?
haven't listened to this in full yet Janie Jones - 3/5 Remote Control - 4/5 I'm So Bored With the U.S.A. - 5/5 White Riot - 4/5 Hate & War - 5/5 What's My Name - 5/5 Deny - 5/5 London's Burning - 4/5 Career Opportunities - 5/5 Cheat - 4/5 Protex Blue - 4/5 Police & Thieves - 5/5 48 Hours - 3/5 Garageland - 4/5 Average score: 4.1/5 not my favorite of their albums (still prefer London Calling), but it's still pretty good and a strong start to their discography. i think their sound is more cohesive in later albums
A quick, but memorable ride. What quintessential punk should be.
Short and fun, but nowhere near as good as their later work.
Great debut album
Awesome record - has a great voice and helps to see the feeling from when punk started. The playing is just fine, but it has hints of where they go next and it has enough going on to be engaging beyond just the lyrics.
Nice debut of my,.maybe, favourite punk group.
Really awesome album. I listened to the USA version. None of the songs are super bangers, other than I Fought the Law, but they're all just solid proto-punk songs. Definitely can hear how they have influenced a ton of bands to follow in their footsteps. The Clash's later work is better, but this is good. 3.33 / 5 stars
A good listen. Keeps you engaged all the way through!
Enjoyed this energetic British punk rock band!
This rocks
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
Ok
Esta bien
I've never gotten the hype around The Clash; It's just mild punk rock.
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.
Innan de är riktigt varma i kläderna, men bra grejer
Bättre överlag än förväntat men å andra sidan inte mycket som sticker ut. Men kul grej heja punk
Tufft!
Top
4.5/10 favourite track - "I'm So Bored With the U.S.A." least favourite - "London's Burning"
I don't like punk. But this one was not too bad.
Punk rock. I’ve always liked the Clash. Simple music but so much fun.
Pretty good!
Banger after banger after banger
Solid punk. Not their best album.
Great again. The Clash is really something. It’s elevated punk. Not just chords and anger. 7.7
Pretty good for a debut. I love punk music & it's great listening to some of its roots. I think this album was a little long & the music a little muddy, but the musicianship and style here is great.
Exactly my expectations of The Clash. Nothing really stood out to me in either direction.
Classic punk. Cool lyrics awful music.
Great album! I wasn't quite as familiar with this as London Calling, I'll admit. I'm glad it came up. Funny story: Autoplay started playing EMI by the Sex Pistols after the album was over, and before I recognized it, I'm thinking, "Oh! I like THIS one." 😆 Says something about where I stand on Clash v Sex Pistols.
This is a very, very, very good album that I never used to like. Maybe I'm mellowing.
I enjoy this album, but I do think from London Calling on they found their voice whereas this album seems more like someone else’s voice and more typical of British punk music. That said, it has tons of great songs including Career Opportunities which is an all time great.
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.
1977 Proper punk record, this. Raw, brash, intense and absolutely of the age. Heard before ✅️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ✅️ Solid ★★★★☆ (7/10)
A fine punk album, nothing really gripped me from the album. Middle of the road for me, maybe I had to be there when it came out, I think 3/5 is good
8/10 Favourite: Janie Jones Least Favourite: Protex Blue
Again real cool prim and proper almost new wave album. Former clash hater turn appreciator. I still like my punk to be aggressive, angsty, and in your face. But you don't get pop punk with out the clash.
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
It’s amazing when you listen to music made these days, everything is programmed, refined, and mixed to “perfection.” What’s lost in all of that is the rawness that makes many albums great, and that unrefined nature is certainly in abundance here. Credit where credit is due. The Clash were one of the first bands to bring punk into more of the mainstream. This album has a lot of punk classics on it, but it’s really that raw energy which makes this excellent. Great to go back and listen to.
I don’t like this punk stuff.
I had higher expectations. This album let me down. Still a great album, but I can't justify a 5 star rating here. Unfortunate.
Gonna review every song. Janie Jones - 3/5. I like it, but I wouldn't listen often. Hopefully there's better stuff in this album. Remote Control - 3/5. Another solid song, just not vibing with the vocals/lyrics. I'm so Bored with the U.S.A - 2/5. Somehow I'm so bored with this album. I love some of their later work, but this isn't great so far. White Riot - 2/5. Yeah idk I'm as surprised as you are. Hate & War - 3/5. Best one so far probably. What's My Name - 3/5. Catchy I guess. Deny - 3/5. This was the most promising, but I'm not digging the singing. Not necessarily the vocals are bad though. Ok I'm gonna stop reviewing the songs for the benefit of the album. Instead I'll write a full review after. Yeah. I just didn't click with this album. I appreciate the amazing guitar, bass and drums playing. It can get boring at times, but they mostly keep it interesting. I don't even mind the vocals or the lyrics. I just don't think it works for me here. I am excited for London Calling. Hopefully that one is much better than this one. Now I'm going to listen to Ramones Greatest Hits to remind myself I do like punk rock.
Quintessential punk. You can see from the start that the Clash have their eyes set a little higher than their contemporaries; a lengthy multi-part track like “Police & Thieves” would not fly with punk purists; but it’s also easy to tell that their talent is way higher than the average garage band. A classic. Best song: Janie Jones
Excellent debut album! Police & Thieves is my favorite.
Proto-clash - punk but at the very edge - you can almost hear future clash in the background
A shot of adrenaline one of the greatest pure punk albums which went up briefly like a rocket. So fast and such attitude.
6/10… Punk / Britrock
Awesome record.
not the best pero correct
Reminds me a lot of the Sex Pistols but probably actually evolve and improve
punk I grew with.
Never was that much into the Clash, more of a Sex Pistols and Wire guy. That said this debut is pretty decent, stripped down and raw in a good way that London Calling sorta lacks for me.
What is the psychology behind me always loving the first song on an album, and then it seems to all go down hill for me after that? In this case, maybe I can only really enjoy 1 punk rock song before it's just a bunch of yelling and chanting.
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!
good but not at 6am in the morning for me
Never got into them beyond the radio hits. This exceeded my expectations. Kind of like the Sex Pistols but better musicians.
This is a fun album
This was a bit of a stinker for me. The music didnt feel exciting and I found some songs to be quite repetitive. I'm not a music savant, so maybe this comes down to a pure taste difference.
He's In Love With The Rock And Roll World 1001 Albums Generator 122 (09/19/2025) The Clash are one of the most important punk groups of all time, which is a title they largely earned through their rebellious double album London Calling. Before The Clash were making the forward thinking, eclectic punk seen on that album, they were a relatively by-the-books punk group. Their self-titled debut shows a very different style of punk than what I knew The Clash for, and it is to mixed results. Some songs here, notably White Riot, London's Burning, and 48 Hours, have a really raw energy to them that I really enjoy. White Riot in particular is so great. Also, if any song here predicts what The Clash would go on to do, it's the truly strange Police & Thieves. It's got some reggae stuff going on and is just by far the most eclectic (and longest) song here. Also shout out to the random intro of Protex Blue that sounds like some crazy noise rock shit. However, the vocals on songs like Hate & War and What's My Name really do not do it for me. Even on some of the songs that I like, the vocals are not very good. I also think that the songs blend together a bit too much for me, but it's not bad. 3.5/5, rounded down to a 3. Favs: Janie Jones White Riot Police And Thieves Least Fav: Garageland
Guitarist named Strummer, lol
The Clash is one of the most explosive debuts in rock. It takes the raw energy of punk and gives it focus, with songs that are fast, sharp, and politically charged. Tracks like “White Riot” and “London’s Burning” are pure bursts of fury, while “Career Opportunities” and “Remote Control” channel that anger into something more pointed, railing against unemployment, boredom, and authority. Joe Strummer’s vocals are rough and urgent, perfectly matched by Mick Jones’s guitar work that keeps everything tight but never polished. What makes the album stand out is how direct it is. The songs are short, punchy, and say exactly what they need to without wasting a second. At the same time, there is more variety here than a lot of early punk records, with touches of reggae and rock and roll showing the band’s broader influences. The Clash captured the spirit of its time with honesty and fire, and it still feels vital decades later. It is not just the sound of punk starting up, it is the sound of a band already carving out their own identity.
This album is really good at making London Calling seem even more impressive. The fact that they went from this to one of the best punk albums of all time in two years is crazy. As for this album, it's okay. Some pretty good songs mixed in with some that really didn't do much for me. Nothing bad, but very little that's particularly great. Special shoutout to Protex Blue for telling teenagers in 1977 to use a condom, though. I'd much rather listen to Joe Strummer say it than my parents if I were alive back then.
1001 Albums Challenge (5/1001) 1. Janie Jones (4/5) 2. Remote Control (4/5) 3. I'm So Bored With The USA (5/5) 4. White Riot (4/5) 5. Hate And War (5/5) 6. What's My Name (4/5) 7. Deny (4/5) 8. London Burning (4/5) 9. Career Opportunities (4/5) 10. Cheat (5/5) 11. Protex Blue (5/5) 12. Police And Thieves (5/5) 13. 48 Hours (4/5) 14. Garageland (5/5) Total (4/5)
Another no from me
What a debut, pure adrenaline!
Fleeting fan, some brilliant stuff but not my favourite of theirs. More of a 3.5, but again a big signpost for that early punk era. What's My Name my highlight
Not a bad listen but definitely not my favourite clash songs
Decent album, however a lot of the songs sound the same. Makes me want to play Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 on the PS2 even though there was no The Clash on the soundtrack. The punkier songs are very Ramones coded, thoroughly enjoyed the more stripped back songs like Hate & War, which felt very on-the-nose considering the current state of the world.
klassischer Rock, gibt nichts auszusetzen an dem Album, ist aber nicht ganz mein Musikgeschmack. Zu viel "ähnliche" Lieder mit gleich klingendem Gesang.
This is a banger album
Not as good as London Calling, but still a fantastic punk record
Enjoyed. One thing I like about Punk is that the songs are short.
bof
First time listening to the album all the way through, instead of just the more well-known tracks. Definitely a more raw and less polished level of production than their later albums, which captures their youthful energy and is appropriate for the lyrical themes.
Unexpected bop
Magnificent!
I don’t know whether to be amazed or depressed that a near-50-year-old album is relatable.
Teenage me would’ve loved this choice, unfortunately to adult me, all the songs lowkey sound the same.
This was a decent album but nothing spectacular. It’s The Clash being The Clash, which was the best part of the album, otherwise it didn’t impress.
This is THE seminal punk album.
Top track: Garageland
I really wasn't tremendously impressed with The Clash when I got their London Calling album, and this album was significantly worse. British rock bands very seldom ever hit with me so I think it's just a matter of personal taste. Their musicianship is perfectly fine, but that is the only aspect of this album I found good and the only think that nets it an extra star. It would be a 1 otherwise.
I love a good 70s rock vibe but AGAIN nothing really stood out to me. A lot of the songs sounded the same and I did not save any to Spotify. I honestly would have thought this was just one long 39 minute song. It reminds me of the songs on the ps2 Tony Hawk game, so if that was the vibe they were going for - nailed it. HOLDUP I actually dig the song Police and Thieves, finally it had a different sound than the rest but why is it 6 minutes long bruh wrap it upppp.
Just another 34 minute jam session with them changing their chant every 1-2 minutes. Only bright part was Police and Thieves. Overall repetitive and boring. I’m trying to keep an open mind since punk isn’t really my jam to begin with, but this album offers nothing exciting or new? Every song was the same. At least it was better than Joy Division.
Wow, what a great song they've recorded 14 times in a row! Fully enjoy the punk sound but they did not need to make so many songs with that same beat. Could have been a 4 or 5 track EP and I would have been content. I would play this album during one of my many montages of me hustling to work in the Big City, a restless corporate shill running late spilling my coffee, but sliding in to the Big Meeting juuuust in time with a few wrinkles in my white pressed shirt!
I've spent most of my life falling for the pitfalls of the elitist metal guitarist mindset, thinking punk was a caveman's art form compared to my own more superior preference. But I get it now. The whole vibe is really something. It's energetic, reckless, doesn't care about how you feel, won't ask for permission, certainly won't ask for forgiveness, and it sticks up for what it thinks is right. Now I can see why some people won't like it, honestly I didn't understand like 95% of what the lead singer was saying. Nearly every song is at the same tempo, and key. But I now feel like I missed out on a community that was more similar than different to my own thinking. But maybe it's not too late, maybe I can get a jean vest and load it to the rafters with patches, wear my converse out to more than leg day,and grow the mohawk back and say I'm a late in life convert. But listening to this, all I wanted was to be in some small venue shouting the lyrics with the crowd over the lead singer. This album a day site is helping me see inconsistency in my ratings. I'm not sure why my preference today was so high vs yesterday where the tempo was an issue. Maybe I gravitate towards more high tempo music. I'm not really sure. But it's clear to me that I can appreciate music more for the art it is vs my first impression and judgement.
Just so good. Nothing compares to their sound. So iconic
This is an easy 5. Even at 17 I knew this was a 5
I like the Clash, but this album is too basic, similar sounding Clash at this point
Police n Thieves edges this into 4:territory
Hadn’t listened to this for many a year! Sounds a bit dated in places, and sometimes what it delivers is simplistically punk, but there’s enough on here to hint at the differential between the clash and many of their peers. I enjoyed.
It was good. I like the clash but I feel like the vocals are better on Combat Rock. The vocals on this album were classic UK punk style.
- I know it's punk and not meant to be pretty, but my first thought was that he sounds like he has a mouthful of mashed potatoes - oh, to have been a teenager in 1976, pouring over the liner notes while listening to this for the first time on my record player (alas, I'm a millennial, so Spotify album art it is). what was everyone else listening to back then, and how different and striking would this sound have been? - and on that note, I'm sure there's some important context surrounding the time period and both the musical and political scenes in the UK back then that I'm missing, especially in the repeat lines about "panda cars" and other general anti-police sentiments and references - for that reason, I owe it a relisten* over the next few days, armed with the lyrics this time - the remaster sounds excellent, though (especially the bass, which comes through strongly and adds a lot of depth beyond the "noise") bonus: a close childhood friend was very into the Clash and the Ramones and almost definitely owned a shirt with this album art on it in middle school. I remember hearing "Police and Thieves" ("ooh yeeaah") for the first time either in her mom's car on the way to school or on a CD she burned for me as a birthday or Christmas gift, so realizing that song was on this album when it came on was a nice treat for the memory
It’s a solid punk album. Maybe I just need to listen to the album a bit more, but it just sounds like Diet Sex Pistols to me. This record was made well before The Clash would develop their signature sound, or at least the sound I know from the hits, as I will admit that those are really all I know. The album isn’t bad, it just doesn’t feel all that special to me. 3/5
Kind of underwhelming given some of their hits. A bit repetitive
3/10
Love The Clash. This isn’t my favorite album by them, London Calling, but it’s still great.
This starts off really well. Janie Jones and White Riot in particular stand out. It tails off a little towards the end, which is why I'm not giving it a five, but it's definitely a high four for me.
Raw. Fast. A voice that wants to be heard
It's The Clash I suppose.
Yeah man good record
3rd fav Clash Album. Still pretty good.
Clashy!
Ok
A great start for a great band.
Very nice
Not my cup of tea either. Don't care for the vocals but the electric guitar is good.
I wanted to really like the entire album, but really it was just a few songs. Punk is just not in my DNA I guess.
Real good. Listened to the UK version then the US tracks as bonuses.
I’m a huge fan of London Calling, but honestly before this album, I don’t know how many songs I’ve heard of The Clash’s except of course their massive hits that everyone has heard. So I went into this with possibly too high hopes. I found this album to be mildly underwhelming. It has a few memorable tracks that I liked, 4 to be exact. The biggest problem is so much of the album feels like filler. Usually the criticism is that the forgettable tracks were “skips” not meaning like you don’t listen to them, but that you skip them after actually knowing them and knowing it’s got nothing for you. Well this album has an even worse version of that which are just forgettable. Like you put them on and they just sound like a wall of noise or they just sound so identical to the last song that your brain doesn’t even realize a new song has started. The best way to avoid this is with variety, but this album has very little variety. But if you like old school early British punk rock, then this is required listening. But inevitably you are gunna find better punk albums as you explore. This is just alittle too vanilla.
They sound like they could be drunk when they sing. Not really my thing.
This being the first studio album makes sense. It definitely sounds less polished, but in the best way possible. Raw energy.
Fast, punky, a clear first album for punk legends
Goed, maar niet helemaal mijn ding
Pretty good music, nice guitar use
Solide album. Wat te verwachten viel van de clash. Rauwe gitaren, goeie hooks en korte to-the-point liedjes.
Dziwnie mi z tym jak ten album nie jest w moim stylu i jak bardzo mi się podoba XD
i quite liked this one. very classic punk.
Fantastic album, played it on the way into work 🎸🎼 set the mood for the rest of the day 🥁👊🏼
4 1/5. I should give it 5 stars but I think I’ve listened to it to many times.
The most London band ever. Multiculturalism, Empire, private education, violence, pubs, socialism.
It's not my favorite Clash album but it does have it's moments. While they later dove more deeply into alternative styles, here it's mostly a little too same-y for repeated listening. Some stuff is great. I like Strummer's voice and attitude. Guitars are decent with some fun bits thrown in. (Which is crazy for punks who seemed to pride themselves on being untaught and unskilled.) I'll definitely listen to some of these songs again, but not usually all together. Want to give it 3.5 because of it's historical nature, but when pressed to round up or down, I have to round down here just because I don't really feel it's something I'll have on repeat.
A fun album, nothing I really need in my playlists, but one I enjoyed listening to nonetheless. 2.5/5 stars.
The US is boring!! And so's London!
Not that good.
Groupe connu, essentiellement par les morceaux 'Should I Stay or Should I Go' et 'I Fought the Law' que j'ai été amené à jouer et que j'apprécie. C'est donc la première fois que j'écoute un album complet. Celui-ci commence bien avec 'Janie Jones' que j'avais déjà entendu. J'aime aussi les morceaux plus énergiques comme 'White riot'. Par contres d'autres sont moins dynamiques et plus ennuyeux ('Hate and war', 'Police and Thieves' par exemple). Au final le bilan est plutôt mitigé. Je ne suis pas sur de l'écouter une seconde fois. =>2/5
Speaking of collected punk groups I think it was more then due that I talk about The Clash and their self titled debut album. When punk was blowing up around this time it was all focused on anger and rage, and reasonably so, but The Clash managed to add a bit of camp to it all that ended up becoming apart of the image most people think of when they hear the word Punk. Another thing I enjoy about The Clash is that they aren't super in your face, which is why I think so many people enjoy them. They still hold a torch to more traditional scream-y punk music but they are more cool about it all making it more accessible and open to the masses as kind of a stepping stone. I will say this album doesn't flow as good as some of the other The Clash albums but it is extremely consistent and solid all around.
Basically everything you want from a punk album. Chaotic and messy. Just docking a point for the length of the album
Punk epitome. Fantastic, interesting record with great lyrics and instrumentals.
not my fav, but more interesting after reading the context in wiki
The opener is the catchiest song. “White Riot” never convinced me - it carries their cheeky chappy strain, mockney speaking to power that feels both inauthentic and lazily simplistic. They are unbearably quaint.
Maybe I'm in a bad mood, but I found this quite basic and irritating today. Never a fan of Strummer's voice, the timid "punkiness" and cluttered production left me bored and frustrated. They got a bit better, I think
This is a lot closer to the kind of punk music I can dig. Solid music, interesting lyrics, fun vibe. Unfortunately a little bit homogenous -- yet another one of those where it kind of just immediately fades away in my memory once it ends. But I liked it! Fave songs: - I'm so Bored with the U.S.A. - White Riot - 48 Hours
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.
punk yeahhh aber alles bissl ähnlich
I forgot how many classics are on this album
Punk rock vibes I was expecting from the clash
The beginning of Pop punk. Yelling, dissonant yet more accessible. I like it, but it's not my thing.
Very solid punk tunes
Never really got the fuss about the Clash.
Un sonido más prolijo de lo que me podía esperar del primer album de The Clash aunque con su impronta punk mejor marcada que en cualquier otro disco de ellos.
Not a bad album, punk just isn't my thing
Spotify a dû bug j'ai écouté 14 fois la même musique
Nice British punk
Great album, love the angry voice. Janie Jones and Remote Control are my favorite
This album was just fun to listen to. I appreciate the fact that the rhythms and sounds are varied enough to not feel like it’s one long song. The only downfall is that I couldn’t understand many of the lyrics, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the album whatsoever. I just had to read along on Apple Music while I listened. With that said, Joe Strummer can yell-sing at me any old time; I love his voice!
I don’t like this type of music. They all sound the same. They have funny accents like they say garage differently 😂. I don’t like this music. Idk I’m biased. Some songs were ok ig, but I wouldn’t listen.
As far as no frills, not hardcore, just straightforward punk rock goes, this might be the peak. There are all kinds of great melodies on this to enhance the snotty vocals and fast, simple songs. And there's political and social commentary, but it's not overwhelming. Despite all that my favorite song may actually be "Police and Thieves." It hints at the band's later work with its not-reggae-but-definitely-reggae-sounding-ness. There's only so much you can do with the simple punk formula and while the rest of the album is also great, it's nice to have a groovy left turn in the middle of it.
It was fine I think
A bit too punk for me but pretty great still
This hits right when your mood needs it. Always a favorite band from the punk era.
The death of punk music
Es difícil para mi escuchar un álbum como este porque en general no me gusta nada el punk, y claramente esta es una obra que representa al punk en todos los aspectos. Me gustaría enumerar algunos puntos positivos: Me gustó cómo está mezclado el álbum, no creo que haya implicado un trabajo muy complejo en tanto que simplemente suenan los mismo instrumentos que tocan en vivo, no hay mucho más trabajo de producción que esto (con excepción del efecto phaser en el tema "Cheat" que sorprende, pero solo te deja deseando más). Lo bueno es que se escucha cada instrumento con mucha claridad, con la voz al frente. Además todo está tocado prolijamente. Por otro lado me pareció interesante el contenido político. No considero que esté diciendo nada de una manera muy especial, poética o sutil, es más bien alguien gritando en tu cara el contenido que quieren expresar, pero es el punto del punk y creo que está bien logrado. El trabajo de los coros está bueno en tanto que aportan los apoyos justos para la voz principal. "Police & Thieves" es un tema en el que aunque sea tratan de hacer algo distinto respecto de los otros temas. Tal hasta se adelanta un poco al estilo post-punk. Como aspectos negativos debo decir que no me gusta la voz, y la musicalidad me resulta pobre, además de que a gusto personal no me interesó ningún tema.
Thought this would be more fun. I get including London Calling, obviously, but the debut instead of Combat Rock or Sandanista seems like a mistake. Oh well...
Nothing on the album really grabbed me. I can respect its place in punk history, but it didn’t leave much of a lasting impression on me.
This one really surprised me. I didn’t care for their London Calling album but I really liked this and their usage of that rebel rock sound. Just short enough before it overstays it’s welcome.
GOOD SHIT
London Calling is their best, obviously, but this one's probably the best album that the first wave of punk in the UK produced. Love the energy here, and appreciate how there's no shortage of songs to shout along to (in particular, "Career Opportunities" is always a crowd pleaser at the punk karaoke night).
important but i don't really care for this sort of punk. changed everything in rock music but that doesn't easily or necessarily translate to my personal enjoyment. it feels lame as fuck to play that card, but there's meatier, hookier, pointier written, rawer, angrier, and just plain better punk that followed. both by this band and by others. deserves to be one of the 1001? yeah! and throw a Crass album on there too
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”.
Ég skil af hverju þessi plata hafi komið Clash á kortið. Góð frumraun, þó ég fíli svona sjaldnast.
it's (of course) not as good as London Calling, but since it is their debut, it's alright. but its still a 3 for me cause London calling impressed me too much and this album didn't impress me much, although i know debut albums are always weaker than later works.
It's The Clash! It's fine. Some good stuff on here. Wish more British punk bands tapped into the anti-American bend that the Clash affected.
Hell yeah the clash rules. Though not my favorite. London calling is more me but this is very good. It has such a fun almost pop sensibility. Its not ocean avenue but its more poppy that one would generally think. One of the tracks is kinda reggae or like dub. Neat shit for sure. What's not to like here? Just listen to some grandaddy fun punk
Punk classic never really listened to white riot for context
You think London Calling is the best Clash album. I’m sure it’s this on. We are not the same
Not my cup of tea
The album’s rough production and occasionally one-dimensional songwriting can feel more like a manifesto than a fully realized musical statement. Its relentless pace sometimes sacrifices nuance for noise. Still, its impact is undeniable—it’s punk with purpose, even if not always with polish.
The birth of punk. You have to respect it for its impact but there is nothing overly impressive from a musical standpoint. Not a destination album for me, but one to listen to and reflect on its cultural impact.
Ils sont tellement british ça a pas de bon sens J’aime pas sa voix. Mais I guess that’s the point? Je sais pas. J’aime pas le punk. 2/5 pas pour moi
83% Best: Remote Control; White Riot; London's Burning Must-Hear? Sure
"I'm So Bored with the U.S.A." was a pleasant discovery. Aside from the rest of the singles, the rest of the album is forgettable.
Much more my style than the last couple of albums. ★★★★
Pros: - I really like the energy! Feels positive and upbeat. - It has skater music vibe, easy to get into. Cons: - You heard one song, you heard them all. None of the songs really stand out of the rest, for me. - Actually not the biggest fan of the vocal.
Not the worst thing I’ve heard, but it wasn’t my favorite. My favorite song on this album was Police and Thieves.
listenable. old punk, nothing really catchy. stopped listening halfway through, nothing really jumping out at me. So far as I can tell, this album doesnt have any of their most popular songs, 2/5
I love albums that are short and to the point - they know who they are and can show you without dragging it out. 4/5
short, energetic except police & thieves, which is longer and slower janie jones stood out the most, but might be because it is the first? usual problem with everything sounding similar at first listen rating first listen: 3(+) relisten!
Epitome of the English punk rock - great album
I’d like this better if people stopped calling it punk
Don’t seem to enjoy punk much. I love the beliefs and politics, but not the sound.
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.
Liked this one!
I really enjoyed this. Admittedly I'm not a big punk music fan, but this was great.
eeehhhh
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.
🧡
Esta bien
Con este reto me queda cada vez más claro que la mayor parte del punk clásico no es para mí. De este álbum destacaría sobre todo los riffs de guitarra porque el resto no me ha llamado especialmente la atención. 2/5
I respect the Clash, but this punk album is not my thing.
as passionate and melodic a slab of punk rock as can make me wonder why anyone bothers listening to the sex pistols. most everything here is a great and subtly intricate shout-along, by the time u get to police & thieves (the big stab at creative Ambition) it feels weirdly un-jarring cuz everything else has already done such a fine job introducing u to every instrumentalist's strengths...thus the Scalability of the sound is revealed, it can be tight and economic just as much as it can be decompressed and hypnotic. im not entirely green to the clash ofc but im glad this was the first record of theirs i ended up rolling for this project...will be nice to have this background in recent memory whenever i get to their more eccentric stuff,,,maybe its just speaking with the benefit of hindsight, but it does feel weirdly inevitable!
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.
Meh, not really to my taste. Nothing stood out to me and it all sounded very similar
Not my favorite Clash album, but the one I needed right now.
You know what? I like this better than London Calling.
It’s a blast of punky energy but lacks the songwriting that elevates their later stuff
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.
new wave, punk, 1977 -> 2
Some classics
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.
Punk is interesting, because on its own, as a genre, it is very dull. All the songs are formulaic, lacking melody, maybe because they are more about the attitude of a subgroup or culture as opposed to genuine individual expression. However when mixed in as an element of a song or as an elements of a style, it brings an edge or sense of personality that can really improve the whole. The Clash are at their best when their punk roots shine through in otherwise non-punk songs (Rudy Can't Fail, Rock the Casbah, Should I stay or should I go, Lost in the Supermarket). Unfortunately none of those songs are on this album, which is dull and repetitive and mostly sounds muddled and indistinct. I guess, to some extent though, they had to first establish their punk rock bonafides in order to grow into that later phase though. So for that reason I'll give this a 3 when it's really more of a 2.5.
Gee, I thought I wouldve liked this a lot more. Most of these tracks were more annoying than interesting. Hopefully we see a different Clash album later because I didnt see much of this album in their top 20 songs. At the end of the day, I appreciated White Riot. That song saved this from 1 star
Fun album, very raw. Definitely prefer the more mature version of this band, but there was some fun stuff on here: Remote Control, Hate & War, Deny, Police & Thieves, Cheat. You know, I don't think I knew Rock the Casbah is The Clash - not on this album, but wild that this band went on to make that song.
Punk rawk!
Solid start for the Clash, but their best work was still yet to come.
I'm more of an '82 punk fan myself, so Clash sounds like rock music to me. Or ska, maybe not that much here tho. It's pleasant enough to listen to, but does not grab me at all. Barring historical reasons, this holds no value for me.
Classic
This is so good! I wish i hadn’t been turned off to punk by so many less talented imitators. There’s no *yelling* and raging and bad sound mixing here. Probably not going to be part of the regular rotation (I’m still not sold on the sound), but out of respect for their originality, creativity, and influence, it earns a 4.