*The Clash!*

They started out pure punk, but by the time of Sandinista they'd developed a more "Roling Stones" apporach to their music. I remember at the time that some thought they'd sold out, and that Mick Jones' influence had become too strong.


BTW Were you aware that Mick Jones' group after the Clash, Bid Audio Dynamite, evolved into Dreadzone after Jones moved on to other things?

Well, after you mention such things nick , there are elements of dub in the clash album which got me all confused, so what did Big Audio manage to get out?

I find it amazing how music evolves the way it does, you can hear elements from so long ago in todays offerings that young wipersnappers like myself assume are cutting edge.

Am lisening to the equinox album of jarres now, I probably lose lots of cool points for saying its rather nice.

Hey ho.

B.A.D. were very dub influenced, and were one of the first acts to introduce sound-clips from films interspersed with the music (much like Dreadzone do).

My favourite album of theirs is "Megatop Phoenix", which you see cheap all over the place. The vocals come across a bit weedy, but the music's great, especially towards the end of the album.

I'm not a huge fan of Jarre (Equinoxe is OK), but by far and away his best album is "Zoolook", which is well weird by his standards. It's truly excellent and a fine piece of electronica.

Cheers for that Nick, there goes a load more money! Do you remember when I said I wasn't buying anymore music for a few months......

Just played the Jarre one through, (I like to try to do this where possible) and I recognise the best part of it, am playing the Oxygen one now (part of the double back album) but I think this was the favorite of the last owner as it is trashed, ah well 50p can't moan to much.

Will look out for your recces. I never seem to give you anything back though.

quote:

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Originally posted by garyi:

I never seem to give you anything back though.

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It's cool. My 5 Fila Brazillia albums are down to you, and between you and Peter Stockwell, you got me listening to Yes again (Both a good and a bad thing!).

Garyi,

Didn't think to mention it 'cause it seemed the entire world knew about it.

But if you like Sandinista I also recommend *London Calling*. Very worthwhile.

Markus

Good stuff garyi. The first two albums "The Clash" and "Give 'em enough rope" are both fantastic and together with "London Calling" essential when exploring their music. If you want to go further down the minimalistic and yet highly energetic road, get Wire's "Chairs Missing" and "Pink Flag". Simply punk rock at its very best.

Cheers
Carl

Garyi,

You should immediately be aware of two things:

1) The Clash are one of the greatest bands ever

2) "Sandinista" is their worst album

The first album is merely brilliant, London Calling is an all-time classic and Combat Rock is not far behind the latter. "Give 'em Enough Rope" is the poor relation of the first album but worth having nonetheless. If you like Sandinista (which I think is a great double album trapped in a triple album) then you should buy them all the others immediately and without reservation.

As to their style -- it varied greatly but note that the first album (mostly punk) ended with a brilliant cover of Lee 'Scratch' Perry's "Police and Thieves" and that by "London Calling" they were the acomplished masters of every type of American music since 1950 (which is probably why it was named album of the decade for the 80s by Rolling Stone). They were always far more than a punk band.

Matthew

[This message was edited by Matthew Robinson on SUNDAY 12 May 2002 at 23:35.]

Never mentioned The Clash? You really should try searching on The Clash, sir.

PS - congrats on Sandanista. The CD isn't half as satisfying cover-art wise.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

PS - although widely bagged at the time as a complete commercial sell-out, Combat Rock is a fantastic listen, full of great music and songs.

Well if this is their worst offering I am in for a treat!

I have been listening to the clash without getting tired of Sandinista for the best part of 20 years, a true classic.

Recent discovery I made was Joe Strummer& The Mescaleros "Global A Go-Go", double vinyl LP 180gm for £15. Multistyle influenced as is Sandinista. Very good pressing.

D'you know, I've never [as Dame Edna would say] ever really got the point of The Clash. For some reason I religiously bought all their albums at the time, and true, there are truly fab tracks along the way [London Calling itself, being I think the thing that makes their entire existence worthwhile] but it's all rather patchy, and the whole Situationist thing got up my nose then and now. Being charitable, I think that they never managed to properly translate their true selves onto vinyl. The first album was close, but the appalling production quality makes it very difficult to listen to, and as for the second, well I'm sure Sandy Pearlman seemed a good idea at the time.... but B.O.C. and The Dictators suited his approach much better, I'd say. B.A.D. give me the same feelings as well - the sampling thing is undoubtedly a landmark, and I wouldn't detract from that, but it was quickly snatched by outfits who brought it off much more elegantly [Colourbox, K.L.F. et al.]But with Dreadzone I have no complaints whatsoever, so I suppose in the end it was all worth it.

I agree with Nick's comment about B.A.D.'s weedy vocals, and if they disturb you, then I'd say avoid Joe strummer's eforts with the Mescaleros, which positively demand a dose of Paraquat.

And if you do follow Nick's tip about 'Zoolook', and like it, then I'd say give 'Chronologie'a go - 2nd best, & v. seductive.

grumpy post-punk Throbnorth

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"Sandinista" is their worst album

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Cut the crap!

Hmm, that works as an instruction and an argument!

Phil

Joe Strummer was a public school bully, who tried to pass himsewlf off as 'street'.

I know one of the people he bullied.

So I don't buy into his image.

Having said that, I was them in concert a few times, and they did have a lot of energy and charisma.

Sell out = "I'm so bored with the USA" followed by wearing a cowboy hat and driving around in a cadillac.

DS

OTP - Le Tigre - Decepticon

I think the Clash were probably the best band of their type at the time (I am not sure whether I would call them punk) but I do feel that there music hasn't aged that well. This is not an overt criticism as a lot of music from that era has a political slant (anarchy etc) that now sounds rather quaint (as does some 60's music with it's 'love' ethic). I am too young to have 'been there' and find it difficult to get too enthusiastic about there music - sorry.

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Originally posted by Ferox:
Recent discovery I made was Joe Strummer& The Mescaleros "Global A Go-Go", double vinyl LP 180gm for £15. Multistyle influenced as is Sandinista. Very good pressing.

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An enthusiastic +1 on Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros - "Global A Go-Go" is an excellent album.

Marc.

Just heard Guns of Brixton for the *first* time while driving home and it nearly blew my off the seat.
I really dig the reggae aspects of this album, but I was 3 when London Calling came out.

So, can anyone suggest other whiteboy/punk/ska/reggae artists???

The Specials, The Beat, The Selector. That should get you started on the Ska side of tings!

Mike, you really oughta wind that sub down a little - it might derail your truck from the now icy roads of your hometown winter!

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

quote:

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You should immediately be aware of two things:

1) The Clash are one of the greatest bands ever

2) "Sandinista" is their worst album

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Fully Agree on 1)
Disagree on 2)
"London Calling" however is their best LP (and was awarded in France as the best LP over the 1975-2000 period !!)

Sandinista is different, but is really a gold mine!!

The "sandinista tour" in 1981, was brilliant, a mix of LC & S tracks, the Sandinista tracks were played faster than on the LP, with more energy, and wow!! one of my best attended gig!!

the 1st & 2nd albums worth the buy as well...
"Combat Rock" is the start of the decline IMHO

and don't forget the "clash live" as well!!

Jean-Christophe

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Originally posted by Matthew Robinson:
...ended with a brilliant cover of Lee 'Scratch' Perry's "Police and Thieves"

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I think you mean Junior Murvin's (Perry was on production duties) 'Police and Thieves'. An awesome track, well worth buying the album of the same name for alone, but also available on Rockers OST, which is my favourite soundtrack of all time. If you've never seen the film, it's well worth getting.

Greatest band ever. Period. No Argument.

Put on Westway To The World. PLay very loud.

Has anyone seen this film. It was on TV a few months ago and I taped it. Crap in a nice sort of way.