Reviews (page 8 of 14)
Loved it. A classic!
Not as good as London calling but still good, I love remote control, white riot is literally the most punk song of all time, so crude and controversial it works well. Londons burning has a similar spirit to it too. Oh and we have the GOOD version of career opportunities… not the shitty Sandinista one Police and thieves, is like a hint towards what the clash would become Garageland as a closer is pretty cool too with the harmonica I like this a ton, the ‘true’ punk just before wimpier commercial bands like the sex pistols came along (who I do like too)
Another well known all time album I hadn't listened to before. Feels like a pretty smooth transition in some ways from The Who album yesterday, albeit 12 years later. Tracks are short, snappy, catchy, and full of swagger and attitude. I do very much appreciate this album's impact on the music world at the time, and it still holds up listening for the first time in 2025. I still don't find myself gravitating much to punk music, especially when the musicianship remains rather pedestrian on a skill level, in no disrespect to the gigantic accomplishment and impact on music this album was. Of course, I'm a band geek, so I've always gravitated towards the chops rather than the swagger of a musical performance, but I will say that ratio has leveled out a bit as time goes on. Punk rockers would probably kick my ass for saying it, but I prefer the "punk" sound more through the lens of bands like The Police and early XTC, and the punk influence on the thrash metal of the 80s.
I am also Bored with the USA
Very innovative for the time, i can where the Ramones got their style from.
Great Clash album. All the songs were new to me
3/5 pretty good but I don't really like punk rock
Meh
Винтажный жанроопределяющий панк, который сразу погружает в атмосферу тех лет, хочется гнать на скейте в косухе и ни о чем не думать) топ
Good old first wave punk rock
a strong debut album. pretty sure I haven’t listened to most of these b-sides before. “Deny” is a new-to-me standout track.
This was a good Thursday afternoon album as I prepare to go see Kneecap all the way in Pomona. I'm not the world's biggest clash fan although I love Charlie Don't Surf and a few other hits. The clash are what they are and I'm happy about that I just never went through a deep dive. Don't have many prominent memories nor associations with them. I liked the "what's my naaaame naaaAAme Naaame NaaaaAAme"
Very good. Good stuff! Rock and roll 🎸
Idk, I guess it’s a classic.
Hmm okay a Clash album I have never listened to before (I don't think). I wonder if the other two Clash albums I have heard before are also on this list. After this album I will be 0.002% on my way to being okay to die. Can't die yet! I have upwards of 999 albums left to hear! The Clash are one of those bands that I don't think I've ever fully grasped. I can see why they're popular, but I don't think it's for me. Super popular pervasive beloved punk music is actually not very "punk" to me. Give me some punk that sounds like shit that everyone hates, that's how to be truly punk! The Clash are really just the Green Day of the late 70's / early 80's. SONG RANKING: Police & Thieves > White Riot > Garageland > Career Opportunities > Janie Jones > Cheat > Protex Blue > 48 Hours > London's Burning > Hate & War > Bored with USA > Remote Control > What's My Name > Deny Police & Thieves (a cover) is really good, but no song on this 1977 album is better than Clash City Rockers which I guess they release as a single in 1978. Too many songs on this album are not Police & Thieves or Clash City Rockers.
London Burning was my favorite song when I was 12/13. Have not revisited it since so this was fun! Highlights: I’m So Bored with the USA, Career Opportunity, Police & Thieves, Garageland Feel I like I need to listen to this to absorb it properly. But it’s fun, makes me feel like I’m in high school several decades ago. Four stars for these working class hero lads
OK not my cup of tea
Not super into this style, i guess it's just a bit too on the nose and not heavy enough. Police and Thieves is a decent track but otherwise I got bored and skipped through it. 5.5/10
A+ classic jams for a reason, they are like the Bruce Springsteen of punk no matter how edgy they portend to be ….its really radio clash innit…. A garage band from garage land
The only band that matters.
not a punk fan, all sounded the same..
I wouldn’t say this is as good as some of their classic hits, but it was alright
Punk rock perfection.
Favorite Track: I'm So Bred With The USA
A great album to rock out too. Would have been great to hear live at a dingy bar with a bad sound system and sticky floor.
could i write poetry to this? y
Of the three Clash albums that I would consider eligible for this list (the others being "London Calling" and "Combat Rock), this one is the most "conventionally" Punk. Even at this early stage, The Clash were better musicians than their peers in the genre. Their myriad influences color the songs in ways put them well beyond the speed freaks and noisemakers that populated the Punk scene at the time. They were also more mindful of geopolitics and incorporated their leftist ideologies in to the music most effectively. I'm not sure that they were the "only band that mattered", but they were definitely in rare company.
Torn between a 4 and a 5. Love the lyrics. Musically, they got better after this album.
Not as good as I want it to be more of a fashion statement than a great musical effort.
Nice debut from The Clash, it was perfect to ambient my house while I cleaned it, gave me force aganist the dust
1977 was a monumental year for punk music and this is one of the best albums the year has to offer. This is a classic. I think most would agree that this is the Clash's second best album after "London Calling". This thing has its good share of bangers. "I'm so Bored with the U.S.A." is such an ear worm, its always been a favorite from the Clash. Same with "Police & Thieves" which is a close honorable mention for favorite from this album. If someone was interested in getting into punk music this is the album I would recommend to them. Its very accessible but also high-quality and a good representation of punk music. Favorite track: I'm so Bored with the U.S.A.
I've never been a huge fan of the Clash outside of the hits. It's just okay for me. Mid 2s.
Quite samey but good still
Class
My first impression was these little fuggly British boys are lowkey annoying 😭 their voice just grating and the “punk” just kinda corny. They get points for being funny talkin bout Parliament like “they’re just old and fat” LOL. I really just am not feeling this one.
A classic from my teen years. I loved it, then I thought it sucked, then I dug it again. A few duds - Remote Control, White Riot - but mostly killer tracks. Benefits significantly from the remaster - now you can hear Mick Jones playing as if he were in The Sweet or Queen. The UK version is missing two of my favorite tracks from the US version - Complete Control and White Man in Hammersmith Palais. Would get 5 stars if they were on the album.
A very solid fun punk album can’t go wrong
I like punk. I like The Clash. This record is fine. 3/5
Not quite
Clash debut
Wow! I mean I knew The Clash influenced a lot of punk bands, and I can totally hear a few in this album. Operation Ivy and Dead Milkmen to name a couple.
Overrated but "classic"... Police and Thieves is a good cover but I'd rather the original.
It was alright. They all sound pretty similar and nothing stands out but it’s not bad.
Pretty good
I wrote a whole thing about overproduction but it's not worth the effort again
They were better songwriters than the Sex Pistols, but they weren't as tight and overwhelming. Nonetheless very successful and influential. Bands like Rancid wouldn't have been the same without this album. Favorite song: what's my name
The songs start to blend into each other but have plenty of individual highlights and grooves.
It was fine. Not my thing. It was funny how they kept telling me how to feel about the government and those in power. It wasn't even subtle or poetic. I guess that's rock though. Punk rock? Punk music...maybe?? Idk I'm unfamiliar
Not for me. Most of the tunes sound vaguely the same, and don't express unique identity. Except the reggae tune which I was really into anyway. 1 star.
not a big fan of punk, but liked them in London Calling better. Favorite track: white riot other picks: Janie jones, police and thieves
The Clash get a lot of credit (deservedly so) for London Calling, but to me, this album is just as good, if not maybe better. Different, and maybe it's just that I like the raw punk sound of the Clash, but I just really love this album.
Energetic, raw, streetwise and cool in several levels. The Clash 1st album shows the combination of personalities that helped the Clash become an excellent band with their further releases until they exhausted their road. The importance of four members each adding his personality and quality. In the perspective of what the 70's were before the punk explosion, this album feels so fresh and spontaneous that I guess took many people by surprise. This album is much more than punk rock. Hear "Police and Thieves" or "Deny" I imagine when this album came, everybody inevitably wanted more Clash.
Really good album but there are better ones to come from The Clash
Good album. I like “Combat Rock” more, though.
Amazing album and it is my gold standard for 70's punk music. Almost all killer, no filler. Truly a great album, punk or otherwise.
Pretty solid
Not the worst clash album
solid 8 .. loved just about every track
They offered me the office they offered me the job. This remaster ain’t it. The original is leaner and much better. I giving 4 stars because I’m adding I fought the law and taking out the extra songs.
That was fine, i guess? Listened to it once, like "police and thieves" cover, and a few others. Lead vocals are sure strange, but that's fine. Even fun, actually. Guess that's one of the reasons that allowed The Clash to come through on the scene in the first place.
***Remote Control, White Riot, Hate & War Funny to have to listen to this now since I should for work anyway lol. Been listening to so much UK post-punk recently, and have listened to London Calling before but don't think I've ever really given this a listen. Honestly kind of rules, kind of obvious to say but I feel like this is the template for like 55% of all punk adjacent music that came afterwards -- especially like 90s skate punk. I didn't realize how much the more reggae / goth elements style elements only came in later -- and also I didn't realize how sort of poppy these guys were compared to some of their contemporaries even. Either way glad to have given this a back to front listen and adding some of these songs to my playlists. NOTE -- just read the album summary notes, not sure if I listened to the original UK release or the US 1979 rerelease track order.... oh well
See: Dewey Cox (Walk Hard) coke fueled punk era. Great intro to a punk reggae amalgam. Last 3 tracks really begin to show their depth that will be noticed on future albums.
Extremely ok
Wanted to like it but it just didn’t hit
What Grant said about someone saying I don’t mind this but it’s not my preference
I just wanted there to be a song called The Clash to triple up the name. Eh this music is fine. I took a class on Punk Rock in college and I just never really enjoyed the music
Never really gravitated to punk. My theory is that since it is less mainstream, I don't have as many cultural touchpoints to reference back to like other genres. I'm just not as familiar with the intricacies beyond some of the band names and the general sound. That said, I played this while working out and enjoyed the energy. As another commenter wrote: "This is the music I don't mind listening to between the music I want to listen to."
Good old school punk. Sung in the punk vocal stylings which seem to be love or hate with no in between. For me i liked it, but this album didn't seem to have many "hits" but definitely set the tone for the Clash explosion. Love the cover of Police and Thieves. Love the bass tone throughout. 3.5/5
I haven’t even hear of this album or the artist before but it was a great listen, every song was pretty good, some better than others but everything all worked together pretty nicely.
Song were very samey would like to see variation in the songs. Otherwise vocals sounded good and complimented the music well
Un clasicaso
It’s not London Calling.
Interesting but not my usual thing
Yeassss
אלבום לא רע אבל ציפיתי ליותר משעמם ורפטטיבי
לא משהו קצת משעמם
Seminal, important, and awesome. Top album.
Strangely, I don’t know all the songs on this album. I know the sound and it reminds me of what music used to feel like when I was a teenager. It’s quite wonderful. The version of “Police and Thieves” is fun, but not as good as the reggae version.
6/10. Not as amazing as I would have expected. Very typical garage band sound and not very musically interesting. But not terrible.
Done
this list screams at me 'YOU WILL LEARN TO LOVE ALL SUBGENRES OF BRITISH ROCK', and luckily sometimes they are right.
Ок
Pretty ok, but I didn’t find it that memorable.
Punk is cool. It gets you amped up like it should. An album’s worth of punk? It just doesn’t do it for me. It’s supposed to be short, punchy, to the point. This album is just too long to be that. Police and Thieves is a badass track. Garageland is sick. But those are probably the least punk songs on the album. Maybe I’m just not a punk guy…
really good
Classic Punk Rock. Some Songs are good, other not so
There’s just no beating the voice and the accent. Great stuff, amazing how pop-sounding a lot of the riffs really are
Like many say, essential punk album.
London's Burning is good, the rest meh. Its not bad, and Punk, especially early Punk just isnt my thing. Overall its okay.
I am not a fan of punk in general… but The Clash wrote some good songs punk or not. But it’s still punk at the end of the day and a 3 is all I’m willing to give it
Good Debut
Definitely more rough and ready than the last clash album we had, in a good way. The reggae side of things meshes a bit better with the punk too. I'd say this album is better than London calling but that the song London calling is far better than anything on here, so it all averages out to about the same.
Same as their album London Calling. It doesn't really land for me, or ring true. London Calling is a step above. I'm just not into early punk.
Another I've listened to before...I think it's probably not as good as London calling, but still a pretty great first album. Highlights: Janie Jones I'm so bored with the usa White riot What's my name London's burning Career opportunities Police and thieves Probably not quite enough for a 5, but not far off. 4.5
[3.5]
ok
Janie Jones - 9/10 Remote Control - 6.5/10 I‘m so Bored with the U.S.A - 8/10 White Riot - 8.5/10 Hate & War - 4.5/10 What‘s My Name - 4.5/10 Deny - 5/10 London‘s Burning - 8/10 Career Opportunities - 6/10 Cheat - 6/10 Protex Blue - 7/10 Police & Thieves - 7.5/10 48 Hours - 7/10 Garageland - 6.5/10
Love the Clash, but this album was pretty ho-hum Punk Rock.
I'm not a big Clash fan, but I like London Calling, but had never heard this album before. I was kinda bummed, because I didn't really like it. I guess it was a little too punk for me. This ones 100% subjective, though. I can totally see how people could like it... just not me.
Great album, although I think it kind of pales in comparison to London Calling. Very much like a Ramones album. Good but repetitive at times.
Fun punk. Never mind the Sex Pistols, here's the Clash.
Sounds as raw and energetic as on release. The seeds of London’s Calling and Sandinista are all in here. The cover of Police and Thieves is still probably my favourite track with Londons Burning and Garageland following behind.
custom_rating:7.5
Classic British punk.
Annunciation would be lost on them. I get they're doing their own thing and trying to be revolutionary, but each song sounds the same, and the lyrics are all muddled.
This is genuinely the ultimate punk rock album. The best I've heard. So vivid, groovy and powerful. The songs are so good. The performances by everyone is so perfect. What can I say. Untouchable.
Wasn’t expecting to enjoy this so much, usually not the biggest fan of punk but every song on here was good pretty much this feels like a much better version of the sex pistols album. High 4 (8.5/10)
-different from the more straightforward 80s rock I’ve heard from The Clash (and by that I mean the Two songs I had heard by them until now) -honestly I really liked it though! maintained a consistent energy level and held my interest pretty much all the way to the end. thank you punk rock and post rock -Favorites are I’m So Bored With The USA and London’s Burning
I still remember where I was the first time I heard The Clash: 14, wide-eyed in front of the stereo. “Listen to this, this is great,” my dad had said, putting London Calling . Full of teenage cynicism, I’d rolled my eyes - yeah, right, old man - but it only took five seconds of those haunting air siren opening chords and I was hooked, the hair standing up on the backs of my arms. I went out and bought this album about a year later, once I’d wrung every drop out of London Calling. This is a more traditionally punk album, perhaps a slightly less sophisticated one, but it’s brilliant for all that. The first half blazes in with Janie Jones, Remote Control and I’m So Bored With The USA, all of which sound like they could’ve been recorded last week (esp the latter), and the bangers just don’t stop coming, at least until the slightly shaky Deny. The second half is a little bit weaker, but you can’t be too harsh on anything that contains London’s Burning, which is a classic Clash song for a reason, or Career Opportunities, which is another that could’ve been made last week. The highlight of this side for me is Police & Thieves, a cover of an old reggae tune which hints at what their sound would evolve into for London Calling. I bloody love this album. I haven’t listened to it since I was about 18, but I won’t leave it that long again. It’s a strong 4.5 at least for me and the only reason it’s not getting a 5 is because I’m saving that for when London Calling comes up.
Ooh the clash are a band I've always been happy to just listen to the greatest hits of so let's see what this bad boy has under the hood aye. These songs are all so short and idk how I feel about that. Like it's not a bad thing but for example Whats my name could have just repeated itself for another two minutes and I'd have been entertained. I'm not saying they all sound the same bc they don't actually but it would maybe feel more varied if there were fewer longer songs but that's not very punk. I don't mind them sounding similar at the end of the day but it does kind of back up my being happy with just the greatest hits. I love joe strummers voice tho. Chelp away boyo. You know what this is getting better + more varied in the back half. The bass on police & thieves sounds very fun. Also it's 6 minutes long so that's shut me up aye. Yeah okay maybe I was wrong on the greatest hits point there's some good tracks on here. I'll have to listen again to see if the front half/back half split is as dramatic as it felt. This sounds overly critical i like the clash a lot at least on the surface level, i enjoyed this glad I listened
Just good bit of punk, not a gratuitously long album either
Among the best punk records of all time. Perfect, classic sound.
Still prefer London Calling, but they seem to be having a lot of fun, and feel more youthful on this record
Good! Different from what I listen to normally
I usually don’t like punk music but The Clash makes it pretty catchy. It was a good listen. I wouldn’t add any of the songs to my personal playlist but I would listen again
Not for me.
Brit punk (shouted vocals, basic guitar riffs, not-so-great production). It's...um...energetic...and apparently influential, but I'm not sure why people get so hyped up about it... Highlights: "White Riot" (stereotypical old school punk but it's okay), "London's Burning" (kind of a good groove, precursor to "London Calling"), "Career Opportunities" (Green Day owes a debt to this song...)
London Calling is obviously the better album.
I think this thing has caught onto the fact that I like The Clash. I've gotten this one and London Calling and have enjoyed both of them. I already own Combat Rock on CD, maybe I'll add these two to the collection as well. "Hate & War" and "Remote Control" are two favorites.
Not as good of an album as London Calling or Combat Rock, but still pretty great.
Heard worse
The Ass
Not too shabby
4 CLASSIIICCC, played this to death age 14, still do tbh. fave songs: janie jones, london's burning
Still 100% spot on.
Good for punk.
A punk masterpiece.
Killer debut album by an amazing band.
cool and raw songs sound alike after a while
Saw them live a couple of times in '79/'80. One of the best live bands I've seen (along with Gang of Four). Definitely one of the best albums of those decades, and totally deserving of a place in this list. Also, The Clash were the only white band ever to play reggae convincingly.
Not bad!
Struggle to get into classic punk. But it’s just so nice? And pleasant? Lyrics aside everything is so bouncing and major. Love the energy and what this album represented to the era
Usually I’m not that into classic punk but this was actually great. Unlike the other bands from this time like the sex pistols and ramones I think it holds up pretty well today.
I dont think their best album, definitely got better/ refined their sound somewhat Still fantastic & a classic in punk
If I was a disaffected youth in 70's London I hope my anger would sound just like this.
It sure is British punk.
1. Hate & war 2. What’s my name 3. White riot I did quite enjoy the album, although some of the songs sounded the same. Definitely had some bangers though.
it started off good, sometimes i though each song sounded a bit too similar, but it didn’t feel too jarring, and i enjoyed the consistency. but everything fell apart for me at track 7, deny, when i got it in my head that the lead vocalist, mr the clash, almost certainly had a speech impediment or at least has an obscenely wet mouth. from then on i couldn’t focus on anything but him pronouncing his th’s as ss and his s’s as th’s!! “deny, your thuch liar”. its so strange because it only seems to happen in the chorus of each song too, the first verses of protox blues and police & thieves sound great but as soon as the chorus hits all i can hear is how much saliva he has in his mouth. it just sounds like each time he takes a breath he’s actually taking a very small bite out of a sandwich and then continuing to sing. as someone who deeply hates mouth noises and eating asmr this is genuinely a form of torture. alas the guitarist is very talented and i can appreciate its sorta “we are playing this in a garage and the neighbours HATE us” vibes the whole album has really genuinely wish i hadn’t noticed it and could just enjoy without focusing on it, i’m aware how nit-picky and crazy i must look. i also adore any singer who just sounds ridiculously british, i also think every song is exactly the length it should be, it feels like they’d all work pretty good as an intermission between any two songs. also “don’t use the rules . they’re not for you they’re for the fools . and your a fool if you don’t know that . so use the rules you stupid fool” made me burst out laughing and i don’t really know why, he just really wants to let us know we are a fool.
I'm already a clash enjoyer so I knew I'd like this one, a few good ones i haven't heard before, not as good as london calling but as a first album it's solid so I feel like i can't be too hard on them. Spotify did autoplay a gang of four song after the album finished and made me realize how i do miss more technical punk songs. Sorry Paul but you're no Dave Allen.
This is a fun one. You can definitely hear things of whats to come, also at least to me the early influences of ska/reggae. At times a bit to samesy and probably not my favourite album of theirs but it was enjoyable :)).
This doesn't work for me unfortunately. (22 known/39 new)
Truly great. Enjoyed everything about it. Scrappy, fun, silly, tough. Just cool. Plus very significant in terms of so many bands I love today being influenced in some way by their sound (like Midnight Oil and Private Function, for instance). Favourite tracks are I’m So Bored with the USA (how relevant 48 years later!) and Career Opportunities.
The first song was an absolute jam, the rest were pretty same same to me, although I really liked the energy. A solid 3.5.
Love love love!! 5/5
An alright album
I was envisioning my 5 star rating as I listened with delight to the joyful rebellion of side one. The only downer was “Deny,” which was promptly rescued by “London Calling.” It turns out “Deny” was a bit of a harbinger as side two waned a bit. A little less joy here, a little less rebellion there. And interestingly enough, for the US version released a full TWO years later, “Deny” and other weaker songs were replaced with songs like “Clash City Rockers” and “I Fought the Law.” A stronger album…but not the original. Ironically, the US version is less “boring.” But still 4 stars for the UK and for a great band whose talent would expand in the years that followed.
Oh, wow! What a time in history to have rage and rebellion sound so good. I really enjoyed this album. While I have heard it before - multiple listens, it just hit me with fresh delight. It doesn't sustain across the whole album, but because it is so strong in the first half, I am happy to go along. And I feel that if Mick and Joe called and asked me to join in the revolution, I would jump! (this is saying something for a scrawny 50 something guy like me).
I liked this more than London Calling, whoops.
3.0
Stor indflydelse på punk-rock. Inspireret green day og U2 med politiske tekster. Det var ikke lige mig i dag. Sikkert worth at give et relisten senere tidspunkt.
The usual stabby stolen punk sound with solid gold hooks and a few interesting sonic twists and turns along the way. The guitar sound here is hard to argue with. However, I have trouble with this much testosterone and all of the disingenuous middle class whinging (Did Waitrose run out of profiteroles, lads?). Difficult to fully commit really.
I haven't listened to this full album in decades but listened to it so many times in my teens and twenties that I remember every second of it. A great album that had a huge influence.
The Clash Self-Titled is just a fun, rambunctious punk album with radical politics (in a good way). There are lots of great tracks with great energy. Best Songs: I'm so Bored with the USA, White Riot, Police & Thieves Worst Songs: Hate & War
A classic. I like other albums a bit better, but this is where it all started.
Pönkhljómsveit sem kann á hljóðfæri er eins og kúabóndi sem er grænkeri. Alveg vel hugsanlegt en samt mjög skrítið en Clash er einmitt það. Hljómsveitin togar pönk upp á betri stað. Myndi gefa þrjár og hálfa en toga niður í þrjár því ég er ekki svo mikill pönkari
It’s kind of funny how the band with the best debut album of all the UK punk bands doesn’t get the same sort of recognition as The Sex Pistols… …or The Clash. I’m talking, of course, about The Damned’s “Damned Damned Damned”, which should be included on this list, but isn’t (I applaud the inclusion of Machine Gun Etiquette, however. It’s one of the best punk albums of all time). If you were to bottle up the essence of punk and press it to record, it would be exactly what you hear on “Damned Damned Damned” The Clash’s debut is good, but, for me, it doesn’t quite have the rawness and palpable aggression that makes punk “punk”. It feels like they’re holding back just a bit, like they’re not throwing caution to the wind or something. I like its political bent, but that’s not quite enough for me. Heresy to some of you, I’m sure, but I don’t really care. As I said about the Beatles: No one is immune from criticism, there are no Golden Calves.
White riot, London burning and janie jones stand outs
Eh. It is what it is. Would do a 2 and a half if I could.
This was okay, not my thing though. Wouldn't relisten
It's hard to dislike this music. Simple but effective chord progressions and driving bass lines. The progressive lyrics are uplifting. I would spin this today.
bom album, manteve uma consistencia
Did not dig. No cool melodies or noises.
Le premier album des Clash, n'est pas fait pour être "aimé" au sens confortable du terme. C'est un document, un témoignage, c'est le son du béton froid, des allocations chômage et de l'ennui qui suinte des murs d'une Angleterre en pleine déliquescence. C'est une agression sonore, les guitares de Jones et Strummer sont des lames de rasoir qui découpent des riffs urgents et minimalistes, la basse de Simonon est un coup de matraque dans les gencives et la batterie de Topper Headon (même s'il arrive un peu après la bataille initiale) a la précision d'une émeute. Ce disque ne caresse pas dans le sens du poil, il te chope par le col et te secoue jusqu'à ce que tu comprennes que la partie de plaisir est terminée. Pour moi, qui ai grandi avec le post-punk, ce disque est une sorte d'Ancien Testament. Il contient en germe toute la noirceur et la colère qui allaient infuser des groupes comme Joy Division, mais sans le recul poétique. Ici, c'est le premier degré, le cri primal. Ce qui a toujours fait la différence entre The Clash et les Sex Pistols, à mes yeux, c'est que les Pistols, c'était le chaos pour le chaos. Un "No Future" ricanant et autodestructeur, c'était un cul-de-sac. The Clash, même à leurs débuts les plus féroces, avaient une conscience, une intelligence politique derrière la rage. "White Riot" n'est pas qu'un appel à tout casser, c'est un constat social. "Career Opportunities" est d'une ironie mordante sur le futur qu'on propose à la jeunesse. C'est là que le groupe s'élève au-dessus de la mêlée. Ils ne se contentent pas de dire "merde", ils expliquent pourquoi. Et puis il y a cette ouverture d'esprit incroyable, cette fameuse reprise de "Police & Thieves" de Junior Murvin. Intégrer du reggae, le son des immigrés jamaïcains, dans un album punk en 1977, c'était un acte politique et musical d'une force inouïe. Ça montrait déjà que leur horizon était plus large que la simple ruelle de Camden. Alors, pourquoi ce 3/5, si ce disque est si fondamental ? Justement parce qu'il est fondamental. C'est un monument et les monuments, c'est impressionnant, c'est indispensable à la compréhension de l'Histoire, mais ce n'est pas toujours très confortable à habiter. Cet album est tellement ancré dans son époque qu'il en devient parfois une pièce de musée. Une pièce de musée électrique, dangereuse et fascinante, mais une pièce de musée quand même. Il capture un instant T avec une perfection foudroyante, mais il peine parfois à s'extraire de cet instant pour atteindre l'intemporel. L'urgence prend le pas sur la mélodie, le message prime sur la nuance. C'est un disque nécessaire, mais ce n'est pas forcément un disque vers lequel je reviens pour le simple plaisir de l'écoute, contrairement à leur chef-d'oeuvre absolu, "London Calling", qui a su transcender son époque pour devenir universel. Le premier Clash est un album que l'on respecte plus qu'on ne l'écoute en boucle. Il a la beauté agressive d'une photo de reportage de guerre. On admire la force du propos, on est saisi par sa vérité, mais on ne l'accroche pas forcément au-dessus de son lit. La note de 3/5, finalement, c'est ça : la reconnaissance d'une importance historique capitale, d'une énergie fondatrice irremplaçable, mais aussi l'aveu qu'en termes de plaisir d'écoute pur, le groupe fera bien, bien mieux par la suite. C'est un disque essentiel pour comprendre le punk, pour comprendre le rock, pour comprendre The Clash. Mais c'est aussi le son d'un groupe qui apprend à maîtriser sa propre puissance. Une puissance qui deviendra absolument terrassante deux ans plus tard. Il fallait en passer par là. C'est une étape, mais quelle putain d'étape !
It was fun for sure. The Clash's vocalist sometimes gets on my nerves lolol. He sounds the exact same on most songs lol. The rhythms are fun tho, all the songs are short with no fluff, and quite enjoyable. Liked Songs: "Remote Control" , "I'm so Bored with the U.S.A." , "White Riot" , "Hate & War" , "London's Burning" , "Career Opportunities" , "Protex Blue"
This was fine. I definitely liked it more than some other punk stuff (Ramones...) but I didn't love it. 2
Solid album! No real stand out songs but I would be happy to listen to this again if someone put it on.
Not my favorite from these guys but “I’m So Bored With the USA” is a whole thesis statement
The first song is in a foreign language. Every song sounds the same except their cover of Police & Thieves.
Timeless and tight. A fun listen.
I listened to this album the day after Canada won the 4 Nations Hockey tournament, and I was, indeed, Bored with the USA. Great cathartic punk rock!
I'm so bored with the USA. Word, Joe. Word.
Not for me.
Love The Clash. Currently it is 2/21/25 and this kind of energy is precisely that I need in my heart.
Does not deserve to be on this list, but is not bad. Police & Thieves was a nice discovery.
Mijn pa was een punk fan in zijn jeugd, want ik herinner me dat ik al de albums van The Clash door m'n strot geduwd heb gekregen. Dus als ik White Riot hoor, denk ik spontaan aan autoritjes naar Disney Land of naar de Ardennen. Buiten dit positieve jeugdtrauma is dit natuurlijk een klepper. Hun minst goede album, maar toch nog altijd fantastisch, je moet het maar kunnen. 3.8
The Clash's debut LP - fantastic release that has stood up for nearly 50 years.
point0.
Nice.
Great punk sound that doesn’t get too muddy, each instrument is played so well and production quality is top notch. I knew I would enjoy this album even though I didn’t know any of the tracks. I may enjoy “London Calling” from earlier in my 1001 project a little bit better, but this was a phenomenal debut album that still kicks ass. 4.5/5
Classic! Great songs!
I went to 'big school' in 1977 and I discovered The Clash the following year when "White Man in Hammersmith Palais" and "I Fought the Law" were released as singles. These tracks were substituted for a couple of the more punky tunes on the US version of the album, not released until 1979, and featured Topper Headon on drums, a much better player than Terry "Tory Crimes" Chimes who had played on the debut. Better songs but they did not necessarily make a better album. The original UK release is a punk classic and the aggression and anger holds the album together as a cohesive statement. "London Calling" is probably a better album overall but it is a result of many different influences. There has been a lot of revisionism on opinions of The Clash, and UK punk in general - Strummer was the son of a diplomat, a poseur; Mick Jones was a hard rock guitar hero wannabe; Simonon was an artist who couldn't play bass - and it is all nonsense. The Clash, on this album in particular, were angry young men railing against the grime and deprivation of late '70s Britain. "The Clash" hits hard, musically and lyrically, from the first chords of "Janie Jones" to the last notes of "Garageland". It was deemed not radio-friendly enough for the US, possibly the inclusion of "I'm So Bored With the USA" was a factor. The world feels worse now than it did then. I'm still bored with the USA and we could do with another Clash.
Preferred London Calling but still very good
Legends.
2.5 stars
Undecided if I'll seek out again or not. Has some great moments but plods in places too
I just love this band's sound. It's that simple.
It was cohesive but not my cup of tea. Fav songs: I’m so bored with the U.S.A. Deny and Garageland.
I haven't even started listening to this yet and I have thoughts. I love this band and always will. This album is going to get a 5. Interesting though that Spotify has the original UK release and I owned the US version on CD and have that blazed into my brain. I'm sure the UK version is good, but looking at the track list I'm shocked at the removal of (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais and I Fought The Law which are great songs. Jail Guitars is not a Gret (tm) song, but it's fun. Anyhoo, to make it interesting I'm going to listen to the UK version and see what I think vs the US version. OK. US vs UK - the US release is better. I expected to think that anyway, but I really think it's true and it's not even close. They took off 5 and added 6. One of those is a better version of the same song. None of the other 4 were show stoppers for me. Of the 5 new songs added, 3 were A-side singles and 1 was a B-side. The US version is just what the UK version would have been if they'd had another couple of years to work on it. I know I'm not breaking new ground here, but if you break punk down into stereotypical-music punks and cultural punks (music punks being Sex Pistols, cultural punks being, I dunno, Talking heads), The Clash were very much cultural punks. This album is there punkiest musically, and even then it's not all that punky. I love three chords and a cloud of dust, but I think I will always love cultural punks more, where it wasn't about the music sounding the same, it was about being different and unaccepted. Anyway, I love the Clash and I love this album, and if you think this was long wait until we get to London Calling, which I assume MUST be on this list.
The only band that matters! 5 stars, the closest thing to a perfect debut album in my opinion, interesting side note, I debuted the same year. I was a little thrown off by the UK version/track list, but it does very little to diminish the album as a whole in my opinion.
Can't make up my mind if this is 4 or 5 stars. Let's say 4.5, but I'll round down because I know there has to be another Clash album on this list. Really great stuff, the recording isn't always great, but it's punk rawk so is shouldn't matter. What matters is I wanted to throw off the corporate yoke this morning as I was driving to work listening to this album. And just because it should be noted whenever Joe Strummer is mentioned...Henry Rollins states: 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.
Love this album -- probably too much.
One of the earliest UK punk albums, beating Never Mind the Bollocks to record shops by at least six months (although not released Stateside until 1979, probably due to the track ‘I’m So Bored with the USA’). Also, definitely one of the most overtly political and influential, taking solid hits against racism, police brutality, US imperialism and the generally moribund state of the United Kingdom in the 1970s. Musically, it’s rock solid, with accomplished musicians building on the 60s garage sound with a solid helping of 70s pub rock and nods to reggae/ska with a great cover of Police and Thieves. A five star classic, no questions.
Funny how The Clash S/T followed Oasis WTSMG. Both, English bands. Not the same time. Maybe the same ambition? I can't say, but what I do know is that behind its simpler and (rougher) edges, The Clash S/T is way more revolutionary and exciting that the britpop lads were. It's efficient, it has something to say, it's entertaining. It's not perfect, but who cares? That's the spirit.
нормалек, вайбово. но ни одна песня не зацепила тут, есть у них песни и получше.
Ooooh like the sex pistols but audibly musical. Not quite London Calling yet though
Clever and crisp rock with genre identity
Es ist ein Album.
obviously much more cerebral than the ramones, both in terms of the agit-prop lyrics and the sonic excursions. fortunately, this does not come at the cost of urgency or viscerality. the album consistently bangs. sonically dynamic, borrows from reggae heavily. not content with the punk ethos of pure all-encompassing negation (as embodied by ramones, sex pistols). instead, very much embodies an affirmative political/sociocultural program. of course, today, many things can be said about how that program was inevitably doomed, idealistic, that music is an impotent medium for affecting change, etc; but cannot begrudge the sincerity of conviction.
fun
nay
Its fine, I think if this is the only clash album on here then it's fine, but I don't understand it's inclusion if you have london calling or combat rock on here. Grandfather punk!
I know it's a culturally relevant album, but I could never get into it. It was difficult for me to sit and listen to it in its entirety. Joe Strummer's voice is awful...he just yells with no variation in tone through every song. All the songs sound the same to me. If you want to listen to the Clash, Combat Rock is the way to go...much more evolved in style and vocals.
look, it's a pretty good album. i like the clash. there are some really good tracks on here (i particularly like 'white riot' and 'remote control'). but we all know this is not the pinnacle of the clash. it's good! it's not great.
After a while everything here starts sounding the same as they chew their way through the songs in their angry, choppy style. This isn't really my thing but it was OK.
Decent punk album
Groundbreaking punk album that feels timeless
Disenfranchised UK punks make crunchy music about depression and hating work. Pinnacle UK punk, no repeats.
You can feel the energy boiling over in each song. Raucous stuff right here. Can you imagine listening to this as an angsty teenager? Here I am at my corporate desk job in the USA toe tapping like a buffoon, I certainly wasn't who the Clash were making this for.
Six stars
8/10
Love the Clash, this album is great. Such a pleasure to listen to this album all the way through.
Proper decent
"The Clash" is OK, it's very same-y from track to track, but it doesn't overstay it's welcome. Favorite track: "Cheat"
One of the greatest punk albums ever created. Also one of the best debuts ever.
This could have been written today. The only band that matters!
Loses a star cause every song is the same. But what a song.
One of my very favorite albums of all time. First Clash album was so fresh and raw
Loved it
Some more of The Clash. Good overall, but forgettable.
I tend to not like punk and most punk albums I've had so far were not great. This album is not like those other punk albums. I can tell that they have talent as the instrumentals are great and so are the lyrics. This album shows a lot of potential that London Calling lives up to. Glad I got proven wrong on this album!
Proof that yelling, guitar riffs, and chaos can actually be catchy
Enthusiastic punk. Entertaining, but not particularly good.
This album is very different than what people generally think of when they think 70s music. It's not really my taste, though, and was honestly fairly boring to me. Very rough around the edges. I appreciate the contributions to later music, though.
Ciertamente un disco que sobrevive gracias a su influencia. Es un registro histórico de esos cuyas vibraciones aún pueden sentirse en la música popular. Pero no puedo dejar de sentir que "había que estar ahí" o tal vez que mientras más lejos estamos menos repetible es. Es directo y urgente como buen primer disco y de sonido inmaduro también. Las piezas están ahí, descubririamos más tarde.
Fun
Не нравится панк. Просто кричат и фигачат по струнам. В топку.
fuck yes! this is their debut so i get why its included but "give em enough rope" and "london calling" are better imo. If London Calling isnt recommended imma be so butthurt.
Not my cup of tea
decently fun punk album with moments of flair, not too much to be said
Some early throes of punk. I am also bored of the USA. Good album.
yup sounds like british punk alright
9/10
I wish I could spell garage like they pronounced it because it would give this “review” a little razzle-dazzle! But sadly I can’t, the album was cool but I’m not moved beyond that. Songs are catchy head boooing records tho
There seems to be a couple of different track listings but whichever one has (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais is what I would recommend because that song is an all time banger
Some catchy tunes but I found myself skipping through others.
I don’t even like punk, but this rules.
Punk Rock. The Clash. No.
This is an awesome debut album. A classic, awesome rock album. Imagine reaching no.12 in the charts with a budget of 3 weeks and 4000 quid!
This was fun
Based! This is good, as far as punk goes, not generally my favourite genre, but the clash has something about them.
The Clash - The Clash A decent punk rock album that, while not being as great as the albums that would be made later on, still had a fresh and rebellious sound to it, which was really great to hear, very consistent and catchy, it's really a fun album to listen! Overall, this is not bad. 1.- Janie Jones = 6/10 2.- Remote Control = 7/10 3.- I'm so Bored with the U.S.A. = 6/10 4.- White Riot = 6/10 5.- Hate & War = 7/10 6.- What's My Name = 7/10 7.- Deny = 8/10 8.- London's Burning = 8/10 9.- Career Opportunities = 6/10 10.- Cheat = 8/10 11.- Protex Blue = 6/10 12.- Police & Thieves = 7/10 13.- 48 Hours = 6/10 14.- Garageland = 7/10 FINAL SCORE: 6.7/10
Definitely iconic but often times too hectic
Just great, foundational punk. The Clash: the only band that matters
not for me
classic clash
For the track What's My Name, a YouTube comment says "I like to imagine taking out the hymnals and singing this song in church. Makes me laugh." This kind of puerile, knee-jerk anti-authoritarianism attitude is what I was expecting from this album and it's what I got. Simplistic, but the world needs this kind of thing, and I like the cut of their jib, if not their music. They do sound very amateur, like your schoolfriend's first band practicing in his garage.
Loud, fun, varied, innovative, sharp lyrics = 5 stars.
This was fun, but not too memorable
Highlights include: “I’m so Bored with the U.S.A.” “White Riot” “Hate & War” “London’s Burning” “Career Opportunities” “Police & Thieves” “Garageland” Amazing punk album. And I thought “Rock the Casbah” was good…
Album 666 of 1001 The Clash - The Clash (1977) Rating : 5 / 5 Great listen. Life brought some distractions and I didn't get to enjoy it as much as I should have but I'm already familiar with it. Classic punk, indeed.
Didnt listen cos i got distracted
A stone cold classic. Just as good today as when I first heard it over twenty years ago.
Nice
I liked this a lot!
Great album. Standouts for me are Janie Jones and White Riot. The rest has great drive and variety, plays well.
Probably falling in line just behind London Calling, this is a great debut by the definitive British punk rock band. This original UK release definitely flows better and delivers a better punch than the US release of two years later where 5 songs were switched. The combination of genres and dynamics mixed with the balance of Strummer’s vocal snarl and Jones’ softer singing style is just great. It deserves placement right up there with other fellow Brit albums of the time from the likes of Elvis Costello and The Jam. Just a great album.
I recall being underwhelmed by London Calling a bit, but felt the opposite way here. Actually enjoyed this one more, which is probably some type of heresy, but come at me.
Some good solid rock and/or roll. Good guitar drive and attitude. I feel like this album would call me a wanker.
I like this a lot. But listened to it a few days ago and don’t have much to say. I’m rounding up. 3.5/5
Nice short, straight-foreward tracks in best "The Clash"- manner with a weaker B-side. favourite: "White Riot" 3,5
You can see how they defined the genre of punk... but also solidified punk is not for me.
This makes me terribly nostalgic. I remember hearing this album, and others like it, through the walls from my brother's room, and similar sounds when hanging around while his band practiced. I was a tiny little thing hanging around with a bunch of scary looking punks. So, I'm biased as this puts me in an automatic good mood. It isn't The Clash's best, but is still full of all the stuff that makes them great.
Favourites: Remote Control (beautiful chord progression), Liar (lovely bridge). Like the drumming (a lot of flams). Reminds me of The Who and other British rock bands, but the sound is more sparse/less abrasive, and simpler—a lot of major chords. By "Career Opportunities" the constant high-energy got a bit tiring. Love the sudden flanger in "Cheat". "Police and Thieves" is a nice change in pace. The bass on the verse is delicately pretty. "Garageland" was not too amazing, but it was a fine way to end the album—not underwhelming. Overall, most of the songs are fine-good, with quite a few noteworthy musical moments and catchy melodies and riffs. The lyrics are cool.
100% not what I was expecting based off the wiki info. Kinda into it at first but then it got annoying, especially the last song. Probably wouldn’t listen again but giving a 3 as it’s got such a unique sound.
I appreciate the historical significance of this band, but I don't really enjoy listening to it. The music is well done, if simple. The vocals just don't do it for me. If you like punk a whole lot you might enjoy this more than me.
A punch to the face with the first Clash album, legendary sound and themes
Good vibe
I love the production and sonic quality of this album. It strikes me as ironic that such an early punk album was crafted this way, obviously there was an investment that wasn’t afforded to most in this camp. Listening is like looking at a really crisp black and white photo from way-way back.
Clássico, mas acho que pelo fato de ser ainda um punk muito reto e sem a experimentação com outros gêneros que o Clash faz posteriormente na sua carreira, acaba sendo mais fraco que outros discos. Isso não faz dele menos interessante, é um ótimo disco e talvez um dos discos seminais do punk que melhor envelheceram
divertidim mas possivelmente nunca mais irei ouvir por ser primeira geração (sou leite com pera)
Best Clash album. Punked it up nicely, with notes of Sex Pistols, Ramones, and their own brand of ska. I was never a big fan, but this one is true to form. All down hill from here.
It's like kerplunk before dookie except twenty years before that
you gotta lick the ground, but you are trapped in the middle, punk.
Alright
Sounds like the Ramones but just a tad more British. Great length.
I had cake pizza and a capri sun for breakfast this kinda fit that
6/10 - It was alright. I liked police and thieves a good bit but the rest was just ok.
Not as good as London Calling but still fun to listen to. I like the clash a lot more than most other punk stuff I guess
The unquestioned #1 punk band all time. Though their later albums grew in so many ways, their debut is still great. A garage band indeed. Joe Strummer will always be one of my absolute favorites.
Edgy, classic punk that's unfortunately still relevant to today's issues. This album scratches my angry “fuck the government” itch. I like the beats and bass lines. Vocals are not polished but you can hear the anger/frustration in the raspy voice that adds to the punk feel.
Great Punk. I love it.
Yep
Later
Dette var sikkert edgy og banebrytende når det kom ut, men nesten 50 år senere høres det bare koselig ut for min del. At dette var en av de første store punkplatene gjør sikkert at alle andre har kopiert det, så jeg opplever det som litt forutsigbart og ensformig nå. Det er fortsatt god s, men vet det kommer bedre Clash-plater senere!
It was ok
i usually dont like punk but i can get down with this. his voice is a little grading ngl but I fw the messaging on here
This record wasn’t as good as London Calling, I still liked what they were doing here for the most part. You can tell they were still figuring out their sound, but it still has that iconic hard rock sound that I enjoy.
The way the lead singer enunciates his words just makes me laugh, he's so pissed off but also sounds drunk? he slurs a lot of words but really goes for them
Amazing
Fun, classic punk. I don’t even know what to add beyond it being a good time.
It was ok, didn't partucularly like this one.
I love The Clash, though I think they reached their creative peak in later albums such as London Calling, Sandinista and Combat Rock, so I didn’t spend as much time with this one in the past. This is a good punk album. Rough and gritty yet melodic and catchy. Anthemic yet relatable. It got some very strong songs like What’s My Name and 48 Hours. On Police & Thieves we get hints of their future musical tendencies to involve ska into their sound. Thing is I don’t it stands up to the rest of their catalog, and if this album was the only thing The Clash ever released… then they wouldn’t be The Clash. I don’t think it belongs on this list and as much as it pains me I can’t give it more than two stars.
It's okay. Not really my speed though.
ACHEI DAORA
Nice album.
The Clash achieved something with their debut self-titled album that is maybe one of one in music history It is both the best album in a genre - in this case punk - while also not the best album the artist made - because London Calling is undeniably better. Pretty fucking impressive, honestly.
There's some good here, but they don't really come into their own until later.
A record excellent in each and every aspect of it. Crafted by obviously serious musicians, it doesn't fail to amaze throughout its entirety.
listening
very good