Best Clash Album

[bayano]

i saw one like this for the rolling stones, and since i dont like more than two rolling stones songs and know a lot of people love the clash

[Bandito]

Where is "Cut the crap" of '85?

[Cencus]

Where is "Cut the crap" of '85?

In the bin, well my copy anyway.


I always thought there was some good stuff on Sandinista but it was just too long they shoulda cut it down to a double.

[bayano]

well, i specifically opted to not include 'cut the crap'. its not the clash without jones. its like Clash II or something. and honestly, who the fuck is going to vote for that one?

[Lector Malibu]

I've been a fan of The Clash for decades now. I really like all there albums including Cut the Crap even though the only two songs worth spinning on it is This is England and We are the Clash. On a side note I have a immense respect for Joe Strummer and even though The Clash fell apart and wearied from their politics I was deeply saddened when Joe Strummer passed away.

[which doctor]

s/t

then combat rock followed by london calling

[Pawn Power]

I prefer Combat Rock.

[Comrade Nadezhda]

I love The Clash, but I voted 'London Calling'.

[Bandito]

"Cut the crap" is a good album.
Of course Mick Jones is essential for The Clash,but if that is the only reason for not mentioning it,that is plain stupid.
My favourite is Combat Rock,but i love the whole thing. Including "Cut the crap" and even some stuff from Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros.
And you can't tell me that Dictator,This is England and We are the Clash aren't worht mentionig. This is the Clash,best leftist band of all times,and maybe a best band that existed.

[Pirate Utopian]

I voted London Calling but The Clash is their best punky album.

[Gitfiddle Jim]

Definitely London Calling, but The Clash is a bloody good album too.

[bayano]

damn, if i knew this was how the vote was going to go, id have voted sandinista. i just love'em all, and sandinista needs at least one vote. as for poor old 'give'em enough rope', thats a great album too.

and when i said original clash album, that meant, for example, no boxsets, best ofs, or black market clash. and it could be taken to mean no cut the crap cuz that was without one of the three main original band members. hows that for an explanation. that and i figured nobody could vote for it over the other five.

[Bazza]

Sandinista for me. I love most The Clash albums. But for my money Sandinista is the best of the lot with all the various musical styles on it.

As for 'Cut The Crap', while I don't think it is a great album or even good for that matter it does include 'This Is England' which was the song that got me into The Clash in the first place.

[Miss Mindfuck.]

I'm the only person who voted for Give 'Em Enough Rope...
That's not really surprising; but that's what got me into the Clash.

[bayano]

its a great, and definitely underrated, album

[Devrim]

It is a tough call, but I think it has to be London calling.
I saw the Clash once in Manchester.
Devrim

[A_Ciarra]

I agree with Bazza, I like Sandanista the best for it's musical variety! Of course I like 2 Tone music (the combo of ska and reggae with rock) better than plain punk styles. They had brought in Don Letts, the Jamaican Reggae DJ to play with them on the album.. And I love the length, their manager was trying to prove they could do it, and of course the boys pulled it out!

[Lector Malibu]

I agree with Bazza, I like Sandanista the best for it's musical variety! Of course I like 2 Tone music (the combo of ska and reggae with rock) better than plain punk styles. They had brought in Don Letts, the Jamaican Reggae DJ to play with them on the album.. And I love the length, their manager was trying to prove they could do it, and of course the boys pulled it out!


Right on man I was a huge 2 tone fan when they exploded in 80's. My whole life I have listened to Ska , Reggae, Dub, Blue beat, Rock steady, and so on! I love the British reggae, and the original Jamaican stuff as well:cool:

[A_Ciarra]

Yay 2 Tone and it's fan's! ;)

[Lector Malibu]

Yay 2 Tone and it's fan's! ;)

Totally! I've seen most of the 2 tone bands , I used to think Jerry Dammers was the coolest guy ever! :lol:I will say someday I'd like to see Madness there the one's I didn't get to see:(

[bezdomni]

I've been listening to sandinista! a lot lately....

london calling is a fucking classic though.

[Bazza]

Totally! I've seen most of the 2 tone bands , I used to think Jerry Dammers was the coolest guy ever! :lol:I will say someday I'd like to see Madness there the one's I didn't get to see:(

2 Tone was the first scene I ever got into. I was a bit young at the time so I didn't get to see any of the bands during the 80s except Bad Manners (although not signed to 2 Tone they did have a few songs on the Dance Craze album). Could of seen Madness at the Dock Rock Festival in Hartlepool which proved to be their last gig in England until they reformed for the Madstock gig in Finsbury Park. But by then I had gone off Madness a bit after finding out about Suggs and his right wing past. :confused:

During the 90s I ended up playing in a Ska band and even got to support a reformed Selecter at one gig. That night they had ex-Specials drummer John Bradbury in their line up who is a great bloke and very friendly. The other year I DJ'd at a gig by Specials guitarist Roddy Radiation. He seemed to spend the whole gig slagging off Jerry Dammers. :ohmy:

Have heard some very strong rumours that The Specials are due to reform this year. Although it looks like Jerry Dammers won't be joining the (gravy) train to Skaville.

[Lector Malibu]

2 Tone was the first scene I ever got into. I was a bit young at the time so I didn't get to see any of the bands during the 80s except Bad Manners (although not signed to 2 Tone they did have a few songs on the Dance Craze album). Could of seen Madness at the Dock Rock Festival in Hartlepool which proved to be their last gig in England until they reformed for the Madstock gig in Finsbury Park. But by then I had gone off Madness a bit after finding out about Suggs and his right wing past. :confused:

2 tone was my first scene as well. There used to be this great record shop in my old hometown that had a huge Ska collection . I always tried to get what I could, it actually was a hobby of mine. Dance Craze was a great album, I love every track on there from The English Beat to the Body Snatchers, I still have the record but someone made off with the live video cassette tape arrggh. Actually a random fact for you Bad Manners got there start because of the Dance Craze concert, it was there first gig.


I love Madness I always will but you are correct when you touch on Suggs past. It's fact he was buddies with Ian Stuart. I find that odd , and still to this day a little un-nerving but never the less they are an amazing band and it's nice to see them still plugging away.



During the 90s I ended up playing in a Ska band and even got to support a reformed Selecter at one gig. That night they had ex-Specials drummer John Bradbury in their line up who is a great bloke and very friendly. The other year I DJ'd at a gig by Specials guitarist Roddy Radiation. He seemed to spend the whole gig slagging off Jerry Dammers. :ohmy:

Oh cool, The Selectors another fave. Actually when I saw The Selector play I went backstage and Pauline Black was joking around with me because she thought I resembled Roland Gift from The Fine Young Cannibals :lol: Roddy and Jerry don't get along. He touched on that on his myspace not to long ago.


Have heard some very strong rumours that The Specials are due to reform this year. Although it looks like Jerry Dammers won't be joining the (gravy) train to Skaville.

That would be really cool, and even though Jerry backed out on a lot of people it would be nice if he did change his mind to hop back on board. I will say though from what I heard about Jerry is he burned a lot of bridges with people financially, that's one of the reasons Madness broke away from 2 Tone. Madness never got paid for the Dance Craze gig and that's why newer re-pressings of the album they don't appear.

[Bazza]

That would be really cool, and even though Jerry backed out on a lot of people it would be nice if he did change his mind to hop back on board. I will say though from what I heard about Jerry is he burned a lot of bridges with people financially, that's one of the reasons Madness broke away from 2 Tone. Madness never got paid for the Dance Craze gig and that's why newer re-pressings of the album they don't appear.

I think that Madness don't appear on the USA pressing of the 'Dance Craze' CD because of their American label which I think at the time was geffen. Madness appeared on the UK CD of 'Dance Craze' but this pressing is hard to get hold of now and isn't even listed on the 2 Tone website - http://www.2-tone.info

As for The Specials reunion see my other thread. ;)

[Lector Malibu]

I think that Madness don't appear on the USA pressing of the 'Dance Craze' CD because of their American label which I think at the time was geffen. Madness appeared on the UK CD of 'Dance Craze' but this pressing is hard to get hold of now and isn't even listed on the 2 Tone website - http://www.2-tone.info

As for The Specials reunion see my other thread. ;)


Yes I have the original Dance Craze vinyl record and it is very rare after all these years indeed. Madness was on Geffen but for along time they where on Stiff records. At the time of the Dance Craze gig they where still on Jerry Dammers 2 Tone label after all Dance Craze was a documentary of the 2 Tone bands

[bayano]

i like that a thread about the clash moved swiftly towards a discussion of two tone. i dont like how much london calling is winning by (great f-ing album, except brand new cadillac, which ive always hated)

[Bazza]

Yes I have the original Dance Craze vinyl record and it is very rare after all these years indeed. Madness was on Geffen but for along time they where on Stiff records. At the time of the Dance Craze gig they where still on Jerry Dammers 2 Tone label after all Dance Craze was a documentary of the 2 Tone bands

The Dance Craze vinyl isn't as hard to track down as the original CD release. This is the UK CD release which includes Madness and not the USA pressing which features The Specials live EP rather than the Madness tracks.

I'm sure that at the time of the gigs on Dance Craze video that Madness had already left 2 Tone. In fact they left 2 Tone for Stiff Records while their debut single 'The Prince' was still in the charts. Madness along with The (English) Beat only ever signed up to 2 Tone on a one single deal.

[Bazza]

i like that a thread about the clash moved swiftly towards a discussion of two tone. i dont like how much london calling is winning by (great f-ing album, except brand new cadillac, which ive always hated)

There's a big connection with The Clash & The Specials in that Bernie Rhodes used to manage both bands. Also Jerry Dammers wrote The Special AKA debut single 'Gangsters' on Joe Strummer's guitar while they were on tour with The Clash.

[Lector Malibu]

The Dance Craze vinyl isn't as hard to track down as the original CD release. This is the UK CD release which includes Madness and not the USA pressing which features The Specials live EP rather than the Madness tracks.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v301/Nateskin/dance_crazef.jpg


This is the album that is hard to get and the one that I have that is hard to find as I bought some odd twenty years ago.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v301/Nateskin/41RGGXJYN5L_AA240_.jpg

This is the repressing witch is very easy to come by and doesn't feature Madness. I had this as well but on cassette tape


And whether Madness had gone over to Stiff at the time of the concert, They where featured on a 2 Tone label compilation and yes after the albums release Madness had a falling out with The Specials..

[Coffee Mug]

Self- Titled

[bayano]

with the recent omission of the Clash from a 'best leftist punk band' poll, this thread and poll is needed now more than ever. bump. (hey, i know its cheap, but this poll deserves more voters, con o sin Cut the Crap)

[bayano]

just went to a monday clash night at a local bar. thats enough reason to remind people of the only band that mattered

[thejambo1]

the first self titled album was the best. im not a great clash fan tho.

[Joe Hill's Ghost]

It's close, but I'm gonna go with London Calling, however I really like Give em Enough Rope. Safe European Home anyone?

[Mala Tha Testa]

voted for the self-titled

[Bazza]

voted for the self-titled

Is the self titled one the UK issue or the American one? As they are 2 different albums. The one that came out in the USA is more like a compilation.

UK Issue:


1. Janie Jones
2. Remote Control 3. I'm So Bored With The USA 4. White Riot 5. Hate And War 6. What's My Name 7. Deny 8. London's Burning 9. Career Opportunities 10. Cheat 11. Protex Blue 12. Police And Thieves 13. 48 Hours 14. Garageland


USA Issue:
1. Clash City Rockers 2. I'm So Bored With The USA 3. Remote Control 4. Complete Control 5. White Riot 6. White Man In Hammersmith Palais 7. London's Burning 8. I Fought The Law 9. Janie Jones 10. Career Opportunities 11. What's My Name 12. Hate And War 13. Police And Thieves 14. Jail Guitar Doors 15. Garageland

[IAmLeviathan]

i prefer the US version of The Clash, even though its not really the cool thing to say (especially not in the UK).Its got (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais, I Fought the Law, and Complete Control on - reason enough.

The Clash is definitely the most "political" record they made, but London Calling is my favourite. They strayed from the politics on it (kind of - Clampdown always puts the hair on end when im at work) but its got such a great spirit about it - a real joy to listen to. Almost relentlessly upbeat.

The Clash are my favourite band of all time - to me they are the total embodyment of everything RockNRoll was ever supposed to be about - They were anti-establishment (in a proper way - it dominated their songs, rather than a Mick Jagger-taking-drugs-oh-so-outrageous way), the tunes were explosive, the lyrics were always a cut above, they were full of positivity and they looked fantastic.

[JimmyJazz]

Since Sandinista! is the greatest album ever made, I'm gonna have to go with it's also the greatest Clash album.

The Street Parade, Washington Bullets, Charlie Don't Surf, Police on My Back, Somebody Got Murdered, The Magnificent Seven, Broadway, Kingston Advice...fuck that album is good.

Super Black Market Clash is pretty amazing too, even if it's not an original album.

And London Calling basically goes without saying.

[Fawkes]

1. The Clash
2/3. London Calling and Combat Rock tied

[Comandante]

Definitely London Calling. The band at it's best.

I never listened to Combat Rock and Cut the crap because I thought it would destroy my picture of The Clash as godlike band. :(

[Pirate Utopian]

Cut The Crap, maybe.
Combat Rock is actually pretty good.

[JimmyJazz]

Combat Rock is actually pretty good.

Meh...no Topper.

If you listen to "Rudie Can't Fail" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go" back to back, the difference in drumming is absurd. The timekeeping on SISOSIG sounds like a kid off the street beating an upside down metal trash can. Combat Rock may be OK but it sucks by Clash standards.

[Pirate Utopian]

Yeah but when I first listened to it at first I expected it to be really shit, but it wasnt.

[Bazza]

Meh...no Topper.



No Topper? :confused:
As far as I know Topper played on all the tracks on 'Combat Rock'.

[communard resolution]

No Topper? :confused:
As far as I know Topper played on all the tracks on 'Combat Rock'.

He did.

Best Clash album = Sandinista! Especially the hip-hop tracks are mesmerizing. I wonder which white band did the first rap, The Clash or Blondie? Blondie's Rapture single and Sandinista both came out in 1980. Which one appeared on the market first?

At #2 Give 'Em Enough Rope, probably because it was my first exposure to The Clash.

[Y Chwyldro Comiwnyddol Cymraeg]

The Clash...so roar, powerfull and amazing

London calling second

[Killfacer]

Got to be give'em enough rope:

Safe European home is the greatest song ever.

[JimmyJazz]

No Topper? :confused:
As far as I know Topper played on all the tracks on 'Combat Rock'.

Well damn, you're right. I've only listened to Combat Rock maybe 5 times, and all of them were a long time ago.

Why did Topper's drumming suddenly start to suck I wonder?

[communard resolution]

Why did Topper's drumming suddenly start to suck I wonder?

It's not a big secret: heroin. There's a reason they got rid of him.

[JimmyJazz]

Yeah, I figured. I read Joe Strummer and the Legend of the Clash by Kris Needs a while back so I knew that heroin was why they sacked him. I never pay much attention to timelines though. (And I definitely don't pay much attention to Combat Rock...all of the Mescaleros' stuff is better imo).

Hell, even "This is England" is a better song than anything on Combat Rock, I think.

edit: except "Ghetto Defendant". "Sean Flynn" is OK too but sounds like a Sandinista reject.

[communard resolution]

Hell, even "This is England" is a better song than anything on Combat Rock, I think.Really? I think 'Know Your Rights' is one of their best songs. Just listen to that Ennio Morricone sounding guitar solo. Or the bass bit when Strummer says "it has been suggested in some quarters..." . It's amazing.

I don't think Combat Rock is half bad. 'Straight To Hell' is a pretty good tune too. The only song that always annoyed the hell out of me was 'Rock The Casbah'.

[JimmyJazz]

I like the lyrics of Know Your Rights but I just think it's a pretty crappy song by Clash standards. I only enjoy listening to it when it's on youtube, paired with images of rioting anarchists. :p Though I do have "This is a public service announcement--with guitar!!" as one of my favorite quotes on facebook.

I do have a new appreciation for Straight to Hell since MIA ripped it off for "Paper Planes".

[cop an Attitude]

I stand in defense of Combat Rock, It’s my third favorite (London Calling and the Clash being my first and second) and worthy of being held as one of the Clash's better albums. Combat Rock has some amazing songs that often go overlooked. Straight to Hell captures the emotions of its lyrics perfectly, being one of their most touching songs to date (and my favorite). I've played Know Your Rights as a PSA before on my school radio show, it’s a great song and very blunt about its politics. I love Ghetto Defendant, most find the spoken word as corny but I think it’s just another well thought out innovation by the clash. Rock the Casbah may be pretty radio friendly but it’s pretty damn good song none the less. Relaxing, listening to Sean Flynn, really soothing. The Clash is known for their diversity, covering many different music mediums and Combat Rock is one of the most experiential albums by them. Some may say it’s their "sell out" record, others may say this is when they "stopped being punk” but putting those aside, its very well made album. It tend to find that it turns most off due to the fact that it really doen't sound like the classic clash of Give em Enough Rope days, with faster, rawer and slightly more energetic songs. Some songs are hit or miss off of Combat Rock but In general it’s an often over looked album. Thats just my 2 cents on it.

[Killfacer]

Straight to hell is one of their best songs. Combat rock is good, just not up to their otherwise sublime standards.

[AngelCity Neo-Stalinist]

Sometimes I feel like London Calling is a bit overated but it's got some damn good songs on it. You know I hadn't listened to the clash in a while and I blew the dust of it and was blown away. I had a few shots and I was dancen around in front of this big poster of Ho Chi Minh in my living room. Good times. My favorite off the album is Guns of Brixton.

[JimmyJazz]

I love Ghetto Defendant, most find the spoken word as corny but I think it’s just another well thought out innovation by the clash.

Anyone who thinks it's corny must either not get the frickin' awesome references (it mentions the Paris Commune--name me another pop song that does that!), or doesn't realize/appreciate that the spoken word part is done by Allen Ginsberg. Either fact alone makes the spoken word part of that song, and the song overall, extremely cool.

[communard resolution]

I heard the Rat Patrol From Fort Bragg album yesterday. I think it's a bootleg (not sure though) and features outtakes, alternative takes, and rough mixes of Combat Rock. It's fun to listen to, and it made me appreciate all the songs once again. I recommend it.

[Bazza]

I heard the Rat Patrol From Fort Bragg album yesterday. I think it's a bootleg (not sure though) and features outtakes, alternative takes, and rough mixes of Combat Rock. It's fun to listen to, and it made me appreciate all the songs once again. I recommend it.

'Rat Patrol From Fort Bragg' is the original Mick Jones mix of 'Combat Rock'. The Clash weren't happy with the album so they got Gly Johns to remix it. The album has been bootlegged a few times the best of which is a 2 CD set.

[lombas]

I'm gonna pick London Calling but I'm not that much of a punk fan.

[Bazza]

I'm gonna pick London Calling but I'm not that much of a punk fan.

There's more than just punk on 'London Calling' as you've got ska, reggae, rockabilly, etc. It's not as good as 'Sandinista' but it's still a decent album.

[Pawn Power]

I voted for Combat Rock, but that was before I heard all of Sandanista! which is by far their best record. It's a great blend of reggae, early rap, and funk.

[Riot11]

London Calling for sure

[JimmyJazz]

I heard the Rat Patrol From Fort Bragg album yesterday. I think it's a bootleg (not sure though) and features outtakes, alternative takes, and rough mixes of Combat Rock. It's fun to listen to, and it made me appreciate all the songs once again. I recommend it.

RPFFB has definitely made me appreciate Combat Rock a lot more. The RPFFB version of "Know Your Rights" isn't very good, but most of the other songs I like better or at least as much in the Rat Patrol version. Like both versions of "Inoculated City" are cool, and before I didn't even like the Combat Rock version. And "Kill Time" and "The Beautiful People Are Ugly Too" are really good songs (growers for sure).

[brigadista]

best album - the clash
best ever song the guns of brixton - but really you should move on...

[Picky Bugger]

I voted The Clash, it has a vibrancy that something such as London Calling doesn't.

Personal favourite - Career Opportunities

[Invincible Summer]

I like pretty much all their stuff, but I chose "Combat Rock"

[Killfacer]

Give em enough rope, mainly because of Safe European home. Shortly followed by London Calling then The Clash.