London Calling

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!

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

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.

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"

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

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.

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.

10/10 Best punk album ever.

Most likely the greatest record on this list.

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.

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

It's London calling!

It really is as good as everyone says it is.

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-

The best album from the punk era.

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.

British shouting

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Incredibly boring and overly long.

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

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!

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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/

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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”.

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

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.

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"

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Good memories

This might be my favorite album of all times. I have listened to it literally hundreds of times. I can't give this anything less than 5/5

A classic!

Duh, classic album, only a 5.

a classic!

My favorite album by The Clash, and one of my all-time favorite albums by any band. I love the loose, live feel of their performances, as well as the ska influences. The track "Death or Glory" is one of my favorite songs.

Foundational punk album

One of the greatest albums of all time. Punk (and maybe post-punk) classic. 10/10 1. Death or Glory 2. Lost in the Supermarket 3. Spanish Bombs

a musical journey through many genres while the Clash avoid being pigeonholed into one sound

Never had listened to it in full... astoundingly good and resonant. Truly, a must on this list.

Oh so good

Another band/album ive been meaning to listen to for years. I really appreciate how varied this album is. There’s a reason this album and band are one of the most influential of all time.

I think one of the Cuddys did his SSSM part to a clash song, that was my first introduction, though they’ve been like a familiar friend since

Prefer some of their other albums but this is still stone cold 5

Love it. The beating British punk heart. Goddamn this album is good.

A gem from every point of view

Can’t not be 5

I love The Clash. Despite a lot of the songs on this album having similar compositions, if you dig into the lyrics they are pretty interesting/entertaining. And they are usually pretty fun to listen to as well.

Good from London calling to Train in vain

Great fucking album

Masterpiece. Absolute bangers on here, and each track is it's own journey. Love, love this album!

Love this album

This is one of my favorite albums. Love it!

Classic

Classic

NICE

Listenable any day of the year.

The Clash are my favourite band of all time. And while not my favourite album, this is definitely their most important one. Can i give 6 stars?

I liked it more than I thought I would, but that's probably just because I'm a sucker for the keyboard that's within most songs. It might also be because the songs have that high energy that I crave. My only main complaints were that it ran a bit long and that I wasn't a fan of the vocals, both the singer's and the backing's voices, but that's mainly just a personal thing. Favorite track: Train in Vain (Stand by Me)

Another classic punk album. To me, this lacks some of the rage and punk attitude of other punk albums of the time. I think this is more ska and mainstream, but its still one of my favorite albums of the 70s. The instruments and lyrics are incredibly catchy, and I could listen to "Lost in the Supermarket" on repeat all day. Highlights: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 19.

Absolutely awesome

Beautiful, precise, and tight punk album. Loved “Spanish Bombs” for the indie punk sensibilities, the jazz tinges of “Jimmy Jazz”, and the overall sound breaking the confines and conventions of genre.

Amazing

Punk-rock-ska. Espectacular.

Incredible. A classic.

Just an amazing album. Super varied with songs for almost any occasion. One of the best.

Excellent

A classic banger, that's all

The best punk album

Exactly the kind of album that should be in 1001 albums in my opinion. Beyond being incredibly influential this album just plain rocks. Plus it covers a wide variety of genres around punk and post-punk.

I just listened to this album last week, so it's pretty fresh for me, but I'm always happy to listen to it again. It's hot shit from the first notes of London Calling. So many classic songs. In between the classics are a pile of fun songs that span a massive array of different genre influences. It always amazes me the extent to which every song on this album is at least good, and then you have true brilliance like Lost in the Supermarket or Guns of Brixton or Train in Vain. What must it have been like to be part of the punk scene in the late 1970s and have revolutionary albums raining down every few weeks? 5/5

Unexpected feel good album

Me encnata este album, train in vain es de mis canciones favoritas, además de spanish boms

My favourite album. The Clash at their best.

The clash!! Nuff said

топ постпанк лайфловер

There are very few excellent albums from the punk era but this is one. Lots of variety even if it has a few too many tracks

My dad hates this album but what does he know

not a thing to dislike. transcends time and remains a top notch relevant album