Hey Rock and Roll (The Clash - The Clash)

Member Name: thehud

Product:	The Clash - The Clash
Date:	13/03/04 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliant, a classic

Disadvantages: A bit rough

IN 1977 I HOPE I GO TO HEAVEN
COS I BEEN TOO LONG ON THE DOLE
AND I CAN'T WORK AT ALL

DANGER STRANGER
YOU BETTER PAINT YOUR FACE
NO ELVIS, BEATLES, OR THE ROLLING STONES
IN 1977

IN 1977
KNIVES IN WEST 11
LENT SO LUCKY TO BE RICH
STEN GUNS IN KNIGHTSBRI DGE

DANGER STRANGER
YOU BETTER PAINT YOUR FACE
NO ELVIS, BEATLES OR THE ROLLING STONES
IN 1977

Now, they may have deplored the Stones (or claimed to do so) when they first emerged but The Clash quickly emerged from the shadow of The Sex Pistols to become both the darlings of the intellects of the New Wave and the true heirs of Mick Jagger and Co with their ballsy, big band rock and roll and outrage. They discovered the States and high fashion and suddenly found the big time very much to their liking. But when they first emerged they were vicious in their denuncia
tion of what came before, and their debut album released in 1977 brought them very much centre stage as the punk revolution took hold in the UK.

The recent death of lead singer and guitarist Joe Strummer was a poignant reminder of exactly how good the band were when they first burst on the scene with their high energy combination of thoughtful words and razor sharp rock and roll.

Formed by the merger of R'n'B guitarist Joe Strummer when he split the 101'ers and joine dup with the snotty young brats guitarist Mick Jones and bass player Paul Simonon, the Clash quickly got out their eponymously titled debut album with drummer Terry Chimes (credited as Tory Crimes on the brash album cover), although the nondescript skinsman was soon replaced by the jazz-influenced Nicky Topper Headon.

That album will always be one of the classic debut albums with its rage and noise and thoughtful anger, but has been reissued in a number of versions since its original release in 1977. The track listing on the CD re-release which came out in January 2000 read:

Clash City Rockers
I'm So Bored With The USA
Remote Control
Complete Control
White Riot
(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais
London's Burning
I Fought the Law
Janie Jones
Career Opportunities
What's My Name
Hate & War
Police & Thieves
Jail Guitar Doors
Garageland

While it was good to have a set that added in many of the early blistering singles, it was undoubtedly a shame to find that they'd decided to dispense with Protex Blue and Deny among others, and I always think it's a real shame when peop
le mess about with the original masterpieces in this way. I can understand it, but still don't appreciate the trick.

That gripe aside, however, The Clash is a wonderful album, a real belter of rebel rock, one which never lets up from beginning to end, although the mellow bump and grind of Junior Murvin's sublime Police And Thieves provides a welcome change of pace and a chance for the band to show a bit more control than elsewhere on a rather rough and ready album. That said the abrasiveness and fearsome amphetamine rush of the band's playing is what mad ethem so special and the magic is all about raw energy and fierce amateurism.

The Clash feels like a live show, a barbaric blast of two minute classics designed to punch you in the guts and punctuate your brain, it's a brilliant statement of all that was best about punk rock and should be in the homes of all right thinking adults everywhere ... it certainly brings back cherished memories to hear Strummer snarling and Mick chopping out those orthodox rock licks ... perfect and timeless rock and roll.

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