Review of The Clash [UK] (The Clash)

The first album-length release by The Clash, this eponymous album was produced twice, once in 1977 in the United Kingdom, and once in 1979 in the United States. The 1979 version includes songs not on the original album as well as having some of the songs cut due to not being "radio friendly". The Clash are Joe Strummer (Guitar, Vocals), Mick Jones (Guitar, Vocals), Paul Simonon (Bass), and Terry Chimes (Drums).

The Clash deliver more than two-chord punk on this album, though there is a fair share of that if you're interested. Songs like White Riot and Janie Jones blast through you, with a certain power and fury that takes some getting used to. The song London's Burning, with the lyrics "Black or white turn it on, face the new religion/Everybody's sitting 'round watching television!", and "London's burning with boredom now" show the aggressive style of music, which for the era and genre are entirely appropriate.

There's more, however, to the album than raw power and furious lyrics. Songs like What's My Name and Police and Thieves show a somewhat more refined musical ability than other songs on the record might suggest. This refined sound adds to the punk sound without removing its power, which is quite an accomplishment in its own right. Police and Thieves, written by singer Junior Murvin, is performed in punk/reggae style, which is a nice counterpoint to the rest of the album with a laid-back attitude about it.

As with any album, and especially with a first album, not everything worked out as intended. Some songs like Remote Control, I'm So Bored With The U.S.A., and Deny have energy and passion, but seem to be lacking something that takes it above the status of melodic noise.

There's something about the raw energy of punk that gets me every time, and The Clash is no different. The edge of experimentation and newness apparent on this first album definitely adds to the experience. I'm personally a big fan of this album, and the critics of the day certainly agreed that this album is a bedrock on which to build a punk collection.

Note: I had originally written this review for Music Emissions, but I didn't check carefully to enough to see if one had been written. Thus it will be posted here, but not there.