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London Calling

The Clash

1979

London Calling
Album Summary

London Calling is the third studio album by English rock band the Clash. It was originally released as a double album in the United Kingdom on 14 December 1979 by CBS Records, and in the United States in January 1980 by Epic Records. The Clash recorded the album with producer Guy Stevens at Wessex Sound Studios in London during August, September and November 1979, following a change in management and a period of writer's block for songwriters Joe Strummer and Mick Jones. Bridging a traditional punk rock sound and a new wave aesthetic, London Calling reflects the band's growing interest in styles beyond their punk roots, including reggae, rockabilly, ska, New Orleans R&B, pop, lounge jazz, and hard rock. Themes include social displacement, unemployment, racial conflict, drug use, and the responsibilities of adulthood. The album was a top ten chart success in the UK, and its lead single "London Calling" was a top 20 single. The album has sold over five million copies worldwide, and was certified platinum in the United States for sales of one million. It was also met with widespread critical acclaim and has retrospectively been named one of the greatest albums of all time. On Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, London Calling ranked eighth in the 2003 and 2012 editions, and sixteenth in the 2020 edition.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.98

Votes

18108

Genres

  • Punk

Reviews

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Feb 04 2021
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5

Day 21 of Albums you must hear.. And I’ve got an album that took me a couple of days to digest, in order to give it its well deserved attention. 1979’s release from The Clash, London Calling. Described by Rolling Stone magazine as the best album of the 1980’s, and by many others as the greatest album of all time, London Calling was a real treat to listen to over and over again. I have never listened to London Calling before, and most of the songs that I recognize from The Clash would come out in later years. The Clash didn’t invent the wheel when it comes to British Punk Rock, they just put the GoodYear rubber on that bitch and got the most commercial tread from it. London Calling is considered a Punk album but when you really give it a listen, it’s a potpourri of many different styles and genres. I felt no listening fatigue, as each song is well, different. It’s all tied together with one of the most unique vocalists in Rock music, Joe Strummer. Even when his voice breaks and strains, it is pure Punk and melodic. I couldn’t get enough. There are so many different instruments used on this album that it’s a call back to The Beatles famous experimentation in the studio in their twilight years. London Calling is an album that deserves to be listened to on either a high-end stereo or headphones. If not you will miss out on much of the charm sprinkled throughout. My favorite songs are the title track London Calling (the lyric “phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust” gave me a good chuckle), Hateful has a great breakdown every few bars that I love and the chorus is addictive. Rudie Can’t Fail has a lot of reggae influence and has a call back, or forward, to I Fought The Law. The Guns of Brixton is pretty gangster for 1979 and is catchy as hell. Lovers Rock is smoother than a baby’s powdered bottom. My favorite song, Train In Vain, wasn’t even listed on the original album artwork in 1979, as it was added last minute and might as well be considered a secret track back then. Sure, it’s the most poppy track, but it makes me feel really good. Green Day must have taken a lot from this band, I see so many similarities in style and willingness to cross genre jurisdictions. London Calling is a large album, it was released as a double album, even though it cost the same as a regular album to the consumers, much to the chagrin of the record label. I’m sure the kids back then were super happy about the savings! When I first learned about how highly regarded London Calling is worldwide, I didn’t want to rush through it, and I’m glad I didn’t. This is a five star listening experience and deserves more attention from the average listeners of today. Please share your thoughts, memories and opinions!

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Oct 05 2020
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5

Punk music, but the band knows how to play their instruemnts.

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Apr 28 2021
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5

This is just the greatest fucking album. 19 songs, every single one of them unique and captivating in their own way. The sheer number of musical styles touched on in this one album is insane. Not something you would expect from one of the UK's original 'Punk' bands, but here it is. One of, if not THE, best album of all time in my opinion.

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Jan 15 2021
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5

Easily one of my favourite albums of all time. Their third album in 3 years...and it's a double album... and it's all bangers. Just mind boggling. The Clash get lumped in with other punk bands, but the influences and genres that show up on this album are all over the musical spectrum. I finally listened to the original versions of the three covers: "Brand New Cadillac", "Wrong 'Em Boyo" and "Revolution Rock". The Clash versions are so great because they can inject their punk sensibility and energy into rockabilly, ska and reggae songs and create something new and exciting, whether it's covers or new songs that reflect their diverse influences. To me, this is emblematic of why this album is so groundbreaking and influential. (Not so) sleeper hit: "Spanish Bombs"

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Aug 10 2022
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5

Not even kidding but I saw someone wearing a London Calling shirt while listening to this album in the Victoria and Albert Museum today. This is a perfect album. No, this is THE perfect album. When I get an album like London Calling, I instantly start to regret the other 5 star reviews I've given, as if they can't be put to the same standard. This album is a double album with the very definition of all killer no filler. Their "weaker tracks" are objectively great songs! Seriously, how did they write so many amazing songs? There are too many amazing songs, it's ridiculous. They're catchy and energetic with nothing less than a full, wild performance in each one. The vocals are strong, with two juxtaposing lead styles, and added harmonies used sparingly. The riffs are memorable. The production is clear, and they do all sorts of weird and interesting additions all throughout. They employ a unique style in each song so no two are alike, incorporating countless genres, such as rockabilly, jazz, power pop, and ska among others. London Calling: Perfect memorable opener literally howling at you about the doomsday of London. Such an eery vibe Brand New Cadillac: A psychobilly track, and one of the best of the era for sure. Starts off with a surf rock guitar hook with rockabilly vocals and lyric structure on a 50s subject. And the finish is so 50s! Short and sweet Jimmy Jazz: A personal favorite. A jazzy lounge track, catchy and memorable, with hilarious lyrics. Suck it coppers! Hateful: This one makes me want to dance and scream! Holy shit was an energetic and fast-paced track. I can't help but scream through the chorus (and even the verses). Love the back vocals, the beat, and that funny weird instrument in the background. Also, enjoy how the melody slows and speeds up whenever it wants. Rudie Can't Fail: Our first ska track! Such a fun track, and no you can't fail with that chicken skin suit. Gotta love the end where the sax thinks it's over and they're like "Nah fuck it, we're howling!" Spanish Bombs: SPANISH SONGS IN ANDALUCIA. That's enough to get this song stuck in my head. I'm obsessed with that pleasing guitar, so relaxing, and the organ is a nice addition. How do they make so many unique catchy songs? Oh, my core-uh-zahn. Right Profile: This one's weird... it's kinda like ska but also not. Either way love the combination of the sudden power chords with the sax interjections. And that rockabilly-like muddled guitar solo (that lasts just a few seconds) is weird too. There's a lot of weird noises throughout the song. Love it. Lost in the Supermarket: One of my favorite songs of all time. A reaction to capitalism I think. Love the mellow, groovy guitar and vocal style, catchy and melodic but still full of energy and personality. It's said that this was the first real indie rock song, with every indie rock band after trying to mimic this sound. I could only wish. Clampdown: Very punk lyrics I can get behind. Fuck the clampdown. Power pop in the harmonic vocal style (especially in the verses) and melodic power chords. Instrumentation gets interesting at the last minute, is it the distortion? Guns of Brixton: A highlight for sure. An eery reggae song with dark themes and a strange boing instrument. It's the little things like the creepy, agonizing back vocals that get me. Wrong Em Boyo: An underrated fun ska track! Simple and mindless, although it has strange production noises that all the songs have. Death or Glory: Another catchy power pop song with an inviting hook and an anthemic chorus. He who fucks nuns will later join the church. Koka Kola: A really fast and sudden punk song with hilarious lyrics and a slight rockabilly style. Card Cheat: One of the best piano ballads in rock history, full of power and emotion. Lover's Rock: This is where some people lose attention, and understandably since these songs aren't as loud and catchy as the earlier tracks. But this is a fantastic power pop entry, reminiscent of Big Star, with a fun latter half to dance to. Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh *plays the whistle, baby toy, and a snake* Four Horsemen: This one stood out to me when I first heard this album over a year ago but not sure why. I love the noisy chaos in the last minute, almost reminds me of Sonic Youth. Probably my least favorite track though alongside "Koka Kola." I like the transitions between these last few songs though. I'm Not Down: This one is an underrated personal favorite! Always puts me in a good mood to sing along and dance. A confidence booster for sure! I scream through the last half minute. And what a closing riff jfc. Revolution Rock: One last ska song before we close. A long one too at 5.5 minutes, so take your time, relax, and enjoy the groove. Train in Vain: One of the best songs of all time, and yet the most dreaded on the album because it indicates the end to a masterpiece we invested the past hour into. Can't help but sing along lyric for lyric as the music slowly dies down to a close. A perfect closer.

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Mar 23 2021
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2

Not what I was expecting, and I reckon if I spent more time with this album it I would get more from it - but realistically I won’t do that as even getting through one full listen turned into an absolute chore

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Sep 29 2020
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5

I actually thoroughly enjoyed this album. It was exactly what I think of as what punk music should be. I really liked the lyrics and the songs were super catchy. I actually want to revisit this album some more because of how good it was.

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Mar 21 2021
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5

Most likely the greatest record on this list.

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Jul 05 2022
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5

Played in Rock Band 4. My high school calculus teacher once gatekept me for liking this album. I was wearing a shirt with the album art on it and she asked my favourite song on the album. I said Train in Vain (which fucking slaps) and she said "Oh, I prefer the more political songs like Spanish Bombs" as if I was some simpleton. She then proceeded to quiz me on the band member's names. I could only name Joe Strummer in the moment and was embarrassed but looking back, who the hell cares? I just loved every song on this awesome blend of punk, reggae, ska, and disco. It's still the only double album I've ever heard that completely earns both discs.

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Jan 12 2022
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5

I thought this was a terrific album. Constantly changing on a track by track basis, but hardly a weak track on the complete album. Probably this and their first album was The Clash at their best.

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Aug 24 2021
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5

One of the greatest double albums of all time. Brilliant from start to finish.

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Jan 19 2021
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5

It really is as good as everyone says it is.

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Dec 30 2020
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5

19 songs and almost all of them a delight. 9/10 F.T: Train in Vain. NO, Lost in the Supermarket, no, Train in Vain, no-

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Nov 06 2020
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5

The best album from the punk era.

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Jul 20 2022
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5

I used to think this would have been better as a single album, but listening again I can’t imagine a song to miss off from this set. The energy, the passion and the nous of this album is hard to beat, and often mimicked, Each play I have a different favourite, but enjoyed singing along to Spanish Bombs most this time. I wish most, if not all, tried so hard to make people think while also singing along. An all-time classic.

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May 14 2022
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5

A classic album, no weak tracks, energetic, varied in its musical influences, never standing still, always fighting the good fight. Stand out tracks: London Calling, Lost in the Supermarket, Spanish Bombs, Rudie Can’t Fail, look, at this rate I’m going to just lift all the tracks.

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Feb 02 2022
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5

The first album I bought on vinyl 9 years ago. Still holds up from my first listen. The first half of the album is perfection, unreal songwriting. There’s a significant drop in quality towards the end of the album (minus Train in Vain), but the sound of each song is so varied and so fresh, this just works as an album.

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Jan 08 2022
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5

The magnum opus of one of the best punk bands. Despite its length. The album goes by like a breeze. Great track after great track with no drops in quality. Brilliant album.

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Apr 24 2022
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4

Was releasing a double album the most or least punk thing Joe and the boys could've done by 1979? Does it matter one way or the other? Could it have been cut down to a more potent single album? Probably. It's fantastic in any case, obviously.

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Jan 19 2022
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4

What’s so cool about this album is that it bridges 70s rock and 80s punk almost perfectly. There’s some elements in here of early Ska music too, and I can even hear where current ska and punk get their sound. Overall enjoyable, some songs are skips but it’s hard for every song to be a hit.

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Jan 19 2022
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4

I came expecting something like The Ramones or more "Should I Stay or Should I Go". Reggae? Blues? Gangster lyrics? Bass lines were so interesting, drums were on point and super good. Could have cut a few songs and some of the extra chorus repeats, but otherwise awesome.

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Sep 27 2021
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1

Incredibly boring and overly long.

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Feb 11 2025
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5

In the summer of ’99, having just bagged my driver's license, my best friend Kenny and I were set for a much awaited road trip to Bologna for the Independent Days Festival—a celebration of alternative and punk-adjacent bands. We piled into my recently acquired third-hand Audi—a patchwork machine with a front bumper dangling by a thread, unreliable electronics, and a cracked glass sunroof. Fresh off a recent accident, this car was a piece of trash that my dad had to be practically convinced to let us drive, but in hindsight, it perfectly set the stage for the night ahead. Arriving in Bologna under deceptively clear skies, we were immediately swept up in the festival’s vibrant energy and an eclectic mix of local and international acts. As the night unfolded, rain began to pour, lending an almost cinematic quality to the experience but we were not really dressed appropriately. Soaked to the bone and freezing, we were forced to retreat to THAT car to warm up. In that steamy, disheveled refuge, the familiar chords of London Calling rang through the air. I turned to a shivering Kenny and said, “You know we’re missing a music icon right now,” and we both dashed out to catch Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros delivering a set packed with his signature Clash covers that radiated a near-spiritual intensity. Since then, London Calling has always been synonymous with one of the most carefree moments of my youth, and it's eponymous album is a true favourite. London Calling is a declaration of intent. The Clash had already made their mark as punk’s most politically engaged band, but here they pushed past the boundaries of the genre, blending punk rock with reggae grooves, ska upstrokes, rockabilly swagger, and more. It’s an album of reinvention and fearless experimentation that signaled punk could be more than a movement—it could evolve into something bigger. Whether it was the apocalyptic anthem “London Calling,” the politically charged cadence of “Spanish Bombs” (Iberian gibberish included), the dark, reggae-infused pulse of “The Guns of Brixton,” or the surprise pop charm of “Train in Vain,” every track bursts with energy and purpose. Speaking of Strummer's shout-sung style contrasts with Mick Jones’ more melodic delivery, and together they create a dynamic back-and-forth that fuels the record’s restless spirit. Normally, an album boasting 19 songs might feel sprawling or overreaching, but at least it’s not Sandinista!, which doubled down on genre-blending at triple the length. London Calling walks the line perfectly. Some tracks may resonate more than others, but the journey never drags. The album's broader impact is hard to overstate. it helped elevate The Clash from punk heroes to global icons, expanding their reach beyond their London roots and influencing countless bands that followed. It’s a document of youthful defiance, resilience, and possibility, captured at a moment when everything felt possible. The ride home was a surreal coda to the night—musical heaven in its purest form. Drenched by the relentless rain that continued, we drove in our boxers, water pouring through the roof and windows that randomly opened, yet nothing could dampen our spirits. That chaotic, beautiful journey perfectly encapsulated the raw, unfiltered energy of youth and the enduring power of London Calling.

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Jan 14 2025
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5

Think the album is just a bit long, but I also think if you polled people with that opinion, they would never agree on which songs to pull, which just means it’s a solid album overall.

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Jan 09 2025
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5

A double album that is packed with different sounds and ideas taking the band is tons of directions. I found myself mostly ignoring (or not being able to make out) the lyrics, but that didn’t take away from the enjoyment. There are some stone cold classics on this album, but even the deeper cuts are great. Sound l-wise, it’s way poppier and New Wave-y than I expected. Overall, this album was a blast to listen to start to finish.

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Jan 08 2025
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5

Personal top 5 album. Not a clunker on all four sides.

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Jan 02 2025
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5

Easily a top 50 all time album. Pop-punk before it was popular. No skips, overtly track offers something unique and has its place. A true accomplishment

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Aug 29 2024
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5

Timeless. Easy to listen. Groundbreaking still as it was way back then.

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Aug 29 2024
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5

Very good, not too 40 of all time, as I thought but still top 100 all time for me with a bunch of classic songs and some of my favs like Spanish Bombs. It’s a 9/10

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Jan 30 2024
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5

A lot going on here. I really like a lot about this album. London Calling, Rudie Can't Fail, Guns of Brixton all stand out to me. In a tier below I have Wrong 'Em Boyo, Death or Glory. But some of it hasn't aged so well and there's quite a bit they could have cut and strengthened the overall content, but when it is good, it is really, really, really good. Shame about the P-bass on the cover. Great photo but bit of a waste.

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Sep 06 2023
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5

The only album you would need on a desert island. Also, 'Guns of Brixton' contains the best opening lines ever put on a record

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Aug 12 2022
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5

It's been years since I've listened to this and I kind of expected to not like it as much as I did in college when I listened to it all the time. But it's still great. The only two songs I've never loved are "Brand New Cadillac" and "Jimmy Jazz," (songs 2 and 3). The rest are amazing. Punk filtered through half-a-dozen different sub genres. One of the best double-albums ever.

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Jul 20 2022
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5

The range of styles on London Calling is incredible. Yes, it's a mess - but what a glorious mess that somehow holds it all together. It shows a band that was confident in mixing and matching, borrowing bits from their own upbringing and then trying to to piece it all together. The rockabilly, reggae and even elements of jazz have such a strong London street feel. You have to remember that music was so tribal at the time. Attempting to fuse together so many diverse styles is quite a feat. I also love the double album element, You wouldn't get any rock band trying to pull this off today. Experimentation now seems to be the preserve of hip hop with Kendrick, etc. Death or Glory still reminds me of Bill Joel's We didn't Start the Fire. But even this doesn't distract from an absolute masterpiece.

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Apr 23 2022
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5

The definitive punk album of the late 70's, it is an iconic masterpiece. It's one of the records I can put on and sing along to fervently the whole way through. And I immediately feel 21 and invincible again. It's a straight shot of cocky optimistic joy, spitting in the face of the apocalypse and our slowly burning civilized decline. This is powerful stuff. Every single song offers something different, quirky, oddball, unique. These are punks with style, punks with attitude, but also punks with soul. Top shelf stuff right here, it doesn't get any better than this. Death or glory!! \m/

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Apr 17 2022
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5

It is a disservice to the Clash to label them as a punk band. They incorporate elements of garage, ska, rockabilly, and emergent new wave sounds that would influence the next generation. Their lyrics are insightful and socially conscious which creates a sprawling whole taking the listener across various sonic landscapes

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Mar 19 2022
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5

My All Time Favourite Clash Album. Uncle Joe and the Boys doing some great work, moving on from the pure punk power of The First album. Everything about this album is great from the Faux Elvis cover to the mixture of Punk/Reggae/Ska that oozes through the 4 sides. You realise how musically good this band was and what untapped genius was still in there when they split. Favourites here are "Jimmy Jazz" "London Calling" "Rudie Can't Fail" and "Spanish Bombs" But as I say not a bad track throughout so this is in my top 10 Albums of all time and a jealously coveted (by my Son) part of my record collection. He'll get it... eventually!

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Mar 10 2022
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5

Really really fun album. I was surprised by the variation of influences that went into this thing, and The Clash pulls them all off so well. No complaints here. 9/10

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Mar 06 2022
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5

excellent. another album on my regular listen list. punk bands are usually associated with 3 chord wonders with bad playing made up for by attitude. the clash display here they can properly play and write songs and still have more punk ethos than most. managing to do different styles of music and make it work. that's usually a recipe for a mess of an album but the punk band pull it off.

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Feb 13 2022
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5

Variety and depth and rock and roots, up front or in the background. So much going on here. "Punk" is too small a word, The Clash were always far greater than that.

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Feb 02 2022
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5

Listened to it quite a few times, such good vibes. I really hear a lot of hooks and stuff that sound like they could have been in modern indie rock music, so I suppose their influence lives on!

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Feb 24 2021
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5

Loved it, great album. Reminds me of Dad. Makes me want to take down the government.

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Feb 09 2021
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5

The greatest double album since "The Beatles" with as much diversity of topics and musical themes therein. This was as good as they got. Mandatory for any collection.

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Oct 31 2020
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5

It's a bit cliche to be into post-punk at this point in my life, but I am. And this is a fantastic post-punk album, among other things. I could have sworn I listened to it before, but I guess that was just the title track and Spanish Bombs. And to answer the random RYM commenter: Yes, there is reggae. And God bless it.

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Aug 27 2024
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4

I felt like I was Lost In the Supermarket drinking Koka Kola listening to this.

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Aug 26 2024
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4

I like to imagine that the image of Paul Simonon smashing his bass on the cover of this record was taken while they were playing “Jimmy Jazz”.

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May 23 2024
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4

I liked it so much, it's an "soft punk" to my taste. As a lot of people said, this album is "punk making music, knowing what they're doing"

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Dec 08 2023
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4

Never heard the whole album before today, having absorbed a puritan disdain for the Clash, too eager to please, hopping on fads (punk, new wave, reggae), posers and poseurs. Now I think these objections are tenuous or immaterial. This is a mess of an album, but has a clutch of splendid songs, and was a happy presence to have around. Writing a day after a diatribe against The Arcade Fire and their weak, airy lyrics, I must add that while the Clash can be purposely vague, they smash out concrete images that linger, and their sloganeering has more ambiguity than I would've expected.

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Nov 15 2023
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4

The clash is not my favorite punk band, but i alaways know their influences and their impact, especially with this reccord that i've never listen. First the cover is a reference to Elvis's first reccord, a nice wink to the fact that Elvis represent what the punk mouvement is, at his debut and he became phoney and famous. It represent Paul Simonon destroying his guitar, and its one one the most recgonisable and and the 9th best album cover picture. The titled track: London Calling with is icnnic riff really summ up the album with is lyrics that critised the world they live in with their punk vision, also critisied the fact that the punk mouvement is now too phoney (like beatlemania to their oppnion) Its a double album so their is a lot of track, icnludiong 3 covers: brand new cadillac that pay hommage to on of the first british rock and roller, the other is revlution rock and wrong'em boyo. The lyricals themes are very diverses, we have crime (Jimmy jazz, the guns of brixton) drugs, violence and very urbans problems, desilusion and depression are also important in the album, finaly their is some love songs. The album was release in 1979 so the punk wave was for the most part over, and now new wave is the new thing, The Clash embrace it, still connected to their punk style and attidute but musically they are clearly the most diverse punk just in the differend kind of music they made here, like there is not a lot of 100% punk song here, musically is ol' fashoned rock, jazz, ska, pop and i think reggea was the most present in here. Anyway i didn't apreciate all songs, but for the symbol that this album is, his cultural and musical influences its a punk masterpiece.

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Jan 09 2022
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4

Sweaty musicians. Gobbing fans. Cheap nachos. Cheap nachos? Yeah, the kind with the pump cheese and pickled jalapenos. Convenience store nachos. Or, in my case, Chelsea Street Nachos. No, not the affluent area in west London; rather, the chain restaurant usually located in malls. Like the one I worked for in the early 1980s in Gainesville, Florida. I’m not sure which was worse at Chelsea St. Pub: the nachos or the live cover bands that played in the evening. But the best came in between sets, following tired songs like Bob Seeger’s ‘Down on Main Street,’ when the head bartender would often put on 'London Calling.' I had never heard anything quite like it- predominately rock (no longer punk like the Clash’s first two LPs that I would later enjoy too), but also a splash of reggae here and jazz there, and even a little disco/soul ditty at the end of ‘Lovers Rock.’ And, their commentary on the politics of England had broadened to include ideas about other places in the world as well, a theme they could continue on their next recording, 'Sandanista.' It was 'London Calling,' though, that would become their Magnum Opus. At a running time of over an hour, back then, it was long, an investment in time. And the late, great Joe Strummer and Mick Jones filled the music with tons of lyrics about people and places and events with which I was completely unfamiliar. Before that needle hit the record, I had to arm myself with dictionaries and thesauruses, maps and history books (this was waaay before the internet), Spanish to English translations- things I never needed while listening to Bob Seeger. And I’m intentionally using the word ‘armed’ because if 'London Calling' is anything, it is a call to arms, mostly concerning human and civil rights, but the title track even addresses environmental pollution. Clean up the world, the Clash were preaching, with a wide variety of applications. It has been said, famously, that ‘while the Sex Pistols wanted to destroy, the Clash wanted to unite people.’ Brings to mind John Lydon’s famous statement to the audience at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom at the end of what would be the Pistols’ final live performance. Closing with a cover of the Stooges’ ‘No Fun,’ Lydon addressed the crowd, ‘This is no fun, this is no fun at all.’ Then, when the song ended, right before he dropped the mic and walked out he stared down all the hippies and asked: ‘Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?’ I’ve been listening to 'London Calling' for four decades, 2/3 of my life, and it’s still fun. And I’ve never felt cheated

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Sep 20 2021
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4

A punk classic effortlessly blending strongly politically loaded statements with surprisingly danceable music, more refined and smoothed out than its predecessors, for the better or worse

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May 03 2021
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4

I approached this album with reticence, knowing it is almost universally critically revered, and not being much of a fan of the two singles, London Calling and Stand By Me, mostly because they were played to death at the time and The Clash were fawned over by the critics, who were gleeful about the death of prog and the ascendency of punk. But I have to admit, there is more to the band than I was aware of. The Clash were celebrated at the time for approaching pop with the energy and simplicity of early rock 'n roll, and that much is true. But what that doesn't get at is the degree of variety on London Calling. The Clash mine strains of reggae, rockabilly, and pop and mutate them into something new and elemental. Each song is different, but what they have in common is simple but distinctive hooks. The Clash may leave me cold, but I've got to give them credit. They succeed wildly in what they set out to do. I can't bear to rate London Calling higher than a 4, but it would be dishonest to rate it lower than that.

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Jun 24 2024
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2

Historically, I have not enjoyed the radio hits from the Clash. Two of them are on this album. But there is also a wide range of offerings which have given me a greater appreciation of this band’s scope. However, I still dislike this type of lead vocals that seems so be so popular on this list: whiny, pissed off British boys.

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Jan 08 2024
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2

2.5/5 I am aware it is regarded as one of the most important albums in history. However, it's not meant for me.

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Mar 27 2025
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5

Classic rock, hints of folk/pop that I can see. Solid strong sound

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Mar 27 2025
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5

AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY, JOE STRUMMER CREATED…PUNK.

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Mar 27 2025
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5

The Clash are another one of the bands that are so culturally ubiquitous that I've never given them a serious listen. Turns out there's a great reason they're so culturally ubiquitous. First of all, Joe Strummer is a vocals blessing from the lord. His squawking is unique, perfectly suited to their music, and feels like it's pouring out of him spontaneously. One of the biggest reasons why The Clash's music feels like it's live from the floor emotion that taps straight into the lives of the average citizen and unites us all. I also have the hots for bands who can't pick one "genre". I use the term loosely because in my opinion good music isn't so easily classified. The switch between punk, ska, big band, and rockabilly keep the album so interesting you don't notice you've been listening for over an hour. Each track is also uniquely filled with energy. I especially love the transition between Spanish Bombs and The Right Profile, which are two high energy juicy songs in two completely different ways. there's a lot about The Clash that suggests they don't take themselves too seriously. A lot of lyrics poke fun at themselves, the bourgeoisie, and the layman. I love when Strummer breaks down into sputtering nonsense in The Right Profile. The lyrics and subject of Lost in the Supermarket are simultaneously relatable comedy while also earnestly describing the unique soullessness of suburban living. Even when the band is seemingly being minimalist in their sound, the arrangements have so many unique motifs that the flow of listening is uninterrupted. The Guns of Brixton is ostensibly simple on the surface but the dynamics are layered and nuanced. The dissonance in the chords immediately after the chorus lends anxiety and unpredictability to an otherwise simple song (though I could do without the "boi-oing" sounds). Towards the end, I did start to find the album too long.

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Mar 24 2025
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5

Aaahhh, ma foi envers le générateur commence à remonter. Si tout les albums de punk était de cette qualité, je serais définitivement un Punk Head pur et dur. Ce que les Clash ont réalisé ici est assez exceptionnel: un album double sans longueur apparente qui renouvelle à chaque track l'étendu de leur talent musical en infusant moult genres musicaux dans un noyau punk rock de qualité. Aucun temps mort, aucun filler, juste de la qualité en barre galvanisé

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Mar 24 2025
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5

Incredible album top to bottom (save a few songs towards the end). The songs are so diverse that it doesn’t feel like punk at all. It’s a very hyped album and IMO it lives up to that hype on every listen. It’s a 5 for me. Favorites: The Guns of Brixton, Spanish Bombs, and The Card Cheat.

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Mar 23 2025
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5

An hour of non-stop fun, varied, catchy, energetic, well-crafted, deep, personality-laden, witty, unique, karaoke-suitable songs. What more could you ask for from an album?

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Mar 21 2025
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5

Absolute behemoth of perfection.

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Mar 20 2025
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5

Skämmigt att inte ha lyssnat mer på The Clash för den här skivan var enastående. Otrolig musikalisk variation och inte en dålig låt. Detta måste vara historiens högsta lägstanivå på ett dubbelalbum och det blir aldrig i närheten av långtråkigt. Favoriter: Lost in the supermarket, Train in vain, The card cheat, London calling, The guns of Brixton, Spanish bombs, Hateful m.fl.

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Mar 20 2025
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5

I was surprised by how accessible this album is. The songs are catchy and kept me engaged through its slightly longer runtime.

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Mar 17 2025
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5

I drew this album on a Friday and listened to it three times through Sunday. What an absolute joy. I can’t believe I’d never listened to this all the way through. The songs are all short, fresh and fun. Hints of ska with punk rock. Favorite tracks included: Death or Glory, Stand by me, Rudie can’t fail, and Spanish Bombs (really enjoyed Joe Strummer’s bad Spanish accent).

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Mar 14 2025
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5

perfect!!!!!!! had a hard day at work and put this on and smiled for 1 hr and 5 minutes

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Mar 14 2025
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5

Fullkomin plata. 100 tónlistarstefnur. Svo þétt. All Time great

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Mar 14 2025
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5

Einfaldlega besta plata í heimi. Samt tvöföld plata á verði einfaldrar. 19 lög í öllum regnbogans litum og öll frábær. Góðir textar, réttsýn hugsun. Ekki einn veikur hlekkur. 100 stjörnur.

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Mar 14 2025
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5

A perfect album - I picked it up as a cassette when I was 10, and I can still listen to it again and again- 6 out of 5!

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Mar 06 2025
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5

One of my favourite albums of all time, hands down. Make no mistake, this is a punk album, through in through. But it does away with punk's rejection of so much of the past, embracing all kinds of different styles, from classic rock and roll to reggae... is that harmonica? Point is, it did to punk what punk did to everything else. And that's as punk as you can get! This album is very much a snapshot of its time and place. I'm hearing music from another time. But it reverberates into the present. Nuclear war, drugs, crime, urban decay, fascism, racism, social isolation, alienation, rampant consumerism. This is one of the few albums I know that really talks about the things that matter, and it hits me in a way that few others do. Fav tracks: London Calling, Hateful, Rudie Can't Fail, Spanish Bombs, Lost in the Supermarket, Clampdown, The Guns of Brixton, Death or Glory, The Card Cheat, I'm Not Down

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Mar 03 2025
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5

300/1001 Uno de los discos de mi vida! 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗

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Feb 24 2025
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5

great example of punk rock and brilliant writing

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Feb 24 2025
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5

The Clash were never really just a punk band. Aside from the opening track which anticipates the nuclear paranoia of the 80s with a howl of despair, the music here is diverse and literate, covering jazz, ska, dub, Americana (with a nod to Staggers Lee) and good old rock ‘n’ roll. Even that iconic cover pays homage to Elvis Presley’s debut album, and rightly so. This is a band paying their dues and saying things that need to be said, as well as having a lot of fun with bouncy songs about the drudgery of shopping alongside political bangers about fighting fascism. As relevant now as ever.

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Feb 19 2025
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5

London Calling is one of my favorite albums of all time. 10 albums to have on a deserted island? This definitely makes the cut for me. Love this album front to back, there’s no sense in listing my favorite tracks because it would be more than have of the track listing.

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Feb 18 2025
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5

Epic Album, I Was never a clash fan, but I'm on a constant upward trend toward being a superfan!

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Feb 16 2025
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5

One of the best albums ever. All time. No doubter a 5 star

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Feb 15 2025
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5

Started doing this to find new favourites. Knew some would be completely new discoveries and others would be ones I was v aware of and knew (and liked) the famous songs but for whatever reason never actually gave a proper listen. This is the latter. Wow. Exactly what I am doing this.

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Feb 11 2025
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5

I feel like anything I could say about this album would have been written 10,000 times before. It’s a masterpiece, a solid album from start to finish and an experience the first time or the hundredth.

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Feb 11 2025
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5

I don't know, I think this lil ditty is a classic.

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Feb 11 2025
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5

Classic album by a great band that is outgrowing its punk roots and experimenting quite a bit. Most of it works. I miss the stripped-down garage style sound they started with, but this still maintains that same energy, just focuses it on expanding their horizons. In fact, even more so on this album than previous, the band seems to be writing songs that (intentional or not) are anthems. Very powerful stuff here.

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Feb 10 2025
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5

Amazing album. I would probably agree with those who would say this is the best album to come out of the punk scene. Their adventurousness is pretty impressive, and the conviction with which they play is palpable. Must Listen #77

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Feb 07 2025
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5

I grew listening to this album and it’s an easy 5 stars. Not every song is a gem but more hits than misses and Spainish Bombs and Lost in the Supermarket alone deserve the top score! A great mix of musical styles and lyrics, an absolute winner all day long!!

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Feb 07 2025
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5

This is such a great album -- the Clash is so much deeper and so much more rooted in music history than we ever imagined.

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Feb 06 2025
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5

I already loved this before the challenge. So Of course, 5 stars from me.

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Jan 30 2025
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5

I bought this on CD from the Virgin Superstore in Union Square in the winter of 2000. It blew my mind and was the perfect antidote to the shitty pop-punk that was saturating the airwaves at the time. Fast forward 25 years and it still sounds as fresh as it did in 2000 - hell probably as fresh as it did in 1979. This is a timeless masterpiece.

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Jan 30 2025
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5

4.5 - Man this was a huge surprise. I thought it was gonna be a bit meh after the well known stuff, but it had so much musical depth. Some great song writing, the only thing I would say it I wanted a bit more aggression sometimes

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