This is the UK version of The Clash's self titled album, their debut. The differences between this and the US version are some different songs, track listing and was released two years earlier.
The Clash-The Clash (UK)
Brief History
As most people know, there was an explosion of punk bands to come out of United Kingdom during the mid to late seventies and The Clash were one of them as well as one of the first. But they stood out from the rest and you'll notice that with one listen of this self titled debut disc. The band formed after Joe Strummer left his pub rock band The 101'ers after being asked to join The Clash with Mick Jones and Paul Simonon. Soon enough, The Clash recruited Drummer Terry Chimes and were playing gigs around town starting in mid 1976, even though they weren't yet sighed to a record label. But when the record companies started catching on to what was happening, they started flashing their cheque books. So The Clash were then sighed to CBS records for a deal worth 100,000 pounds. Some fans were beginning to call them sell outs and an editor in a local paper was even quoted for saying:
"Punk died the day The Clash sighed to CBS". But in fact, that was not as much money as it seemed like; a support tour and some new gear could easily cost about three quarters of that. This album was recorded in the winter of '77 and just prior was The Anarchy Tour along with the Sex Pistols, Johnny Thunders & The Heatbreakers, and The Damned. The Clash still didn't have a permanent drummer seeing how Terry Chimes had just finished the tour and recording but eventually quit the band. After over 200 drummers auditioned to be in the band in April '77, Nicky "Topper" Headon (who was an old friend of the band and played briefly with them in the old days) was chosen to be the permanent drummer although he didn't play on this record. Finally the album was ready to be released in mid April. The album came as somewhat of a disappointment to record execs and the general public (though not the people on the punk scene) because of the muddy sound quality, which is the reason it was not released into the US market (CBS thought it wouldn't receive any FM airplay). Micky Foote, the sound technician, had no prior experience, so it didn't surprise the band at all. However, the record did do well in the UK, managing to sell over 100,000 copies with some time. Now on to the album itself...
The simple drumbeat of
Janie Jones opens the record. It is a classic Clash track that Joe sings very well. The fast verses and catchy beat all in just over two minutes basically tells you what you are in for on the record. An excellent punk rock song and a great way to start off a great record.
Remote Control is a bit slower paced as compared to Janie Jones but just as good. Mick and Joe share lead vocals on this song and complement each other well as their voices are so different. It was this song that CBS released as a single behind the band's back, inspiring the song
Complete Control (the term also derived from manager Bernie Rhoads' actions), which was included on the US version.
I'm So Bored With The USA a song that explains its lyric subject matter in the title, although the title came off as a spinoff of the phrase "I'm so bored with you", about Mick and a girlfriend in 1976. Throughout the song, Joe sings lyrics such as:
"Never mind the stars and stripes/ Let's print the Watergate Tapes/ I'll salute the new wave/ And I hope nobody escapes". Instrumentally, it's not the heaviest or fastest on the album. Mick plays a catchy guitar riff during the verses, while Paul keeps a steady bassline. The group vocals work well in the chorus as they sing the title.
White Riot is one of the Clash's more famous songs and deservingly so. This is a different version then the one that you will find on the US version and in my opinion, the better of the two. The main differences are the siren noises taken out before the song in exchange for Joe yelling 1234! and some guitar parts are a bit messier but just make for a more raw sound. The song is one of the fastest on the album (as well as one of the shortest at 1:52) as Mick plays the same two chords very quickly. Joe wrote the song after being at the Notting Hill Carnival Riots with Paul in 1976 when a riot abrupted. White Riot was one of the very first Clash songs recorded as it was first played in September of 1976 along with the song
1977. Overall a short but effective fast punk rock song and a definite standout track.
Hate & War is another standout track with again some meaningful lyrics referring to the problems in society at the time as Mick sings in the verse:
"I'm gonna stay in the city/ Even when the house fall down/I don't dream of a holiday/When hate an' war come around". This song has one of the best chorus' on the album as Mick shouts
Hate & War! while Joe is singing back up vocals.
What's My Name is the only Clash song to be given a writing credit to former Clash guitarist Keith Levine. This song in my opinion is the only let down of the album, however it is not terrible by any means. The verses are sung well by Joe but the chorus I feel is slightly annoying and repetitive as Joe just yells the title over and over. The lyrics are also nothing special as compared to the rest of the album. At least it's a short song, being under two minutes.
Deny is the first track on the album that you won't find on the US version. From the building up guitar riff in the intro to the verse where Joe sings some dark lyrics like:
"Deny; You're such a liar; You won't know the truth if it hits you in the eye", this song is excellent. Mick does a great job backing up Joe's vocals in the song. However, the song does get a little repetitive towards the end of the song.
London's Burning is one of The Clash's best punk songs as well as most energetic. This song is very fast paced all the way through as Joe sings about a night driving around London as well as boredom in London. London's Burning also features a great guitar solo from Mick Jones.
Career Opportunities is another great punk song and one of The Clash's more popular songs. The lyrics range from the unemployment issues in London at the time to personal experiences from Mick.
Cheat is another song that was left off the US version. This song is also found on the original
Black Market Clash EP released in 1980. The song has the fastest intro on the record and has a chorus that sounds like The Ramones could have sung it. The lyrics are fun as the song basically is about cheating as Joe sings:
"Don't use the rules; they?re not for you; they're for the fools". The song is a solid punk song but fairly average as oppose to the rest on the record and understandable to see why it was left off the US version.
Protex Blue is very fast song that Jones sings very well. It has a sing a long verses and weird lyrics that are hardly comprehendible. Though, if you read the lyrics, you can probably guess what Mick is singing about. Overall a very fun punk rock song and nice and short and only 1:46, but easy to see why it wasn?t included on the US version.
Police and Thieves shows an early sign of The Clash experimenting with Reggae music and showing their their reggae influences. The song was originally recorded by Reggae artist Junior Murvin in 1976. Police and Thieves is also by far the longest on the album coming in at just over six minutes. The song does a good job at incorporating punk with Reggae, something that The Clash do quite well. Joe takes lead vocals on this one although Mick does provide backing vocals, as he often does. The thing that keeps the song flowing is Paul's consistent and catchy bass line that he repeatedly plays throughout the song.
48 Hours is the shortest song on the album at 1:36, but still an enjoyable one. It consists of some cool guitar parts by Mick and the group vocals in the chorus. It is everything you could want in a track so short. The album closer
Garageland is one of my favorite Clash songs and has some of the best lyrics on the album. The song was inspired by a critic's take on the bands early live shows, saying they should have "stayed in the garage". It has a somewhat softer feel to it then most of the album during the verses, but gets heavier in the chorus when Joe yells:
"We're a garage band!, we come from garageland!" The song is basically about being in a garage band and not wanting to be playing for anyone with lyrics such as:
"I don't wanna hear about what the rich are doing/ I don't wanna go to where the rich are going/ They think they're so clever; they think they're so right/ But the truth is only known by guttersnipes". Garageland is an excellent song and a fitting way to end a classic album.
This album is essential to any fan of punk rock and was highly influential to many bands to follow them. I'm not saying this was the very first punk album, but it definitely helped develop the genre. The Strummer/Jones combination do a great job on the song writing ranging from intelligent political and social lyrics (White Riot, Hate & War, Career Opportunities), to just funny lyrics (Protex Blue, Cheat), it has it all. It shows why they were one of the best song writing duos at the time, and would even get better from here. The record as since been remastered so the sound quality is perfect now. This record is obviously much different from their later releases (London Calling, Sandinista!, Combat Rock) as it shows them in their most punk form musically. A classic album that was a start for great things to come.
5/5
The Clash on The Clash (UK):
Joe Strummer: Vocals/Guitar
Mick Jones: Lead Guitar/Vocals
Paul Simonon: Bass
Terry Chimes a.k.a. "Tory Crimes": Drums
Recommended Tracks:
White Riot
Hate & War
London's Burning
Career Opportunities
Police & Thieves
Garageland
