London Calling - The Clash

Released in December of 1979 this double album cemented The Clash’s place in Rock and Roll lore. It is layered with a diversity of style which showed not only where Punk came from but where it could go. Reggae, Rock, R&B, Ska, Lounge and even Pop can be found in this phenomenal milestone in music history.

As you would expect from a Clash album it is a volatile mix of themes, from social decay, unemployment, racism and police brutality to political and social repression, militarism and, wouldn’t you know it, sex.

Proof of the bands anti-establishment Punk credentials can be found in the way they managed to convince their record label to release a double album - they simply asked them if they could include a free 12 inch single. Once the record execs agreed they filled a second full length record with material.

Legendary photographer Penny Smith photographed bass player Paul Simonon smashing his guitar on stage in New York. An image, which is as iconic now as Elvis shaking his pelvis it adorns the cover of the album.

Stand out tracks on the album, to name but a few, are London Calling, Lost in the Supermarket, Spanish Bombs, The Guns of Brixton and Revolution Rock. They even cover a Vince Taylor song from 1958 Brand New Cadillac. (Vince Taylor was an English rock and roller who had a breakdown on stage after consuming copious amounts of acid and amphetamines)

The title track London Calling is a post apocalyptic vision of the English capital. Its lyrics reference the nuclear incident on Three Mile Island, and its title is taken from the BBC World Service broadcasts from WW II. Rolling Stone has named this the 15^th greatest song of all time. It is the archetypical Clash song.

Spanish Bombs is a song about the Spanish Civil War. Its intelligence shows the lyrical ability of the band, even referencing obscure Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca.

Lost In The Supermarket chastises the world of commerciality and predicts the new climate of the 80’s "I came in for that special offer - guaranteed personality" It was written by Joe Strummer but is sung by Mick Jones. It really should have been a hit single.

The Guns of Brixton had its finger on the pulse, another song by Mick Jones, it predates the race riots of the 80’s and depicts the atmosphere of the time and the general perception of Police heavy handedness.

The influence of London Calling on rock music has been huge. It dissolved the barriers for Punk, showing how diverse it could be and indeed how mainstream it could be without losing any of its edge or indeed its message. It also proved that punk musician’s could actually play. London Calling has aged extremely well, most bands today struggle to recreate the sound produced by these three musicians in the late 70’s. It is one of the greatest albums of all time and possibly the greatest double album. London Calling is everything rock stands for and more.

Track Listing

1. London Calling
2. Brand New Cadillac
3. Jimmy Jazz
4. Hateful
5. Rudie Can't Fail
6. Spanish Bombs
7. Right Profile, The
8. Lost In The Supermarket
9. Clampdown
10. Guns Of Brixton, The
11. Wrong 'Em Boyo
12. Death Or Glory
13. Koka Kola
14. Card Cheat, The
15. Lover's Rock
16. Four Horsemen
17. I'm Not Down
18. Revolution Rock
19. Train In Vain