The Clash
by The Clash

A classic punk record full of energy and urgency. It's not quite The Clash of, London calling, a few years down the line, this is a much more rawer and looser band. Good songs, but I don't think there's anything spectacular, but that doesn't really matter, it's an album, and it does exactly what it needs to do - make people sit up and take notice. Good debut.

Cough sweets sometimes lie. They are not getting that tickle out your throat no matter how hard you try. The government also lie. Well not so much as lie but more beat up the populace in the streets as much as the people they are supposed to arrest. Yes, I'm homing in up on 'Police & Thieves'. Some of the guys in The Clash has just promoted themselves from playing the pubs. On this album, their very first I may add, they not only cover a new song for the time but also one which is a totally different genre! Such a step into alien territory should be a beacon to all that this band would go onto much more ambitious projects. I don't mean to like... spoil the ending but yes... they record some great stuff on their run. Meanwhile, this laid back 6 minutes of social observation perfectly encapsulates what this album is about. The working class, trouble, the police, the rich and poor and "The Clash" between which they are named after. Funny that though, this is the most laid back song here. Elsewhere we have the riot immanent 'White Riot' with its brick in the window guitars. There's a claustrophobic yell along named 'What's My Name' which harkens back to The Who's singles heyday if they were having a rather bad nightmare... The Who not The Clash. Plenty more to keep you occupied. And you know what these songs say? They say these are your working class guys. They want a pint and no hassle. Short songs like 'Hate & War' and 'Career Opportunities' you are getting. No beating around the custard bowl, they say what they want and they are done. A loud guitar driven album of protest songs and spit that you won't want to miss.

My rating is for the US version as well, which is a great improvement over the UK one.

They removed the weakest track (Cheat) and replaced the second weakest song (Protex Blue) with the rather similar yet far better sounding Jail Guitar Doors.
More than that tough, they added two of their greatest numbers, White Man in Hammersmith Palace, a reggae inspired mellower yet still angry protest song, and the fantastic I Fought the Law, easily one of the greatest covers of all times.

Clash City Rockers is not as great of an opener as Janie Jones, but then again few songs are, and together with Complete Control and the above mentioned White Man, they add more needed complexity and diversity to the track list, thus linking their debut better musically with the soon to come London Calling.

You still have the punk bangers intact tough, with the exception of Deny, one of my favorites from the UK version and the super catchy 48 Hours, which were removed. :(

Overall tough, while their UK version is one of the better punk debuts, the US tracklist turned this into punk's first genuine masterpiece.

A solid punk album that demonstrates how good the Clash are and is a great starter album for anyone looking to get into punk. It is 35 minutes of classic punk with a slight intermission for the slower, but excellent, Police & Thieves. You really can't go wrong with this record and it is tough to not fall in love with its rawness and also its energy. It was the first Clash record that I connected with and while it may not be their best it is definitely still a great record and has some Clash classics on here. Overall, this is a must listen album full of great music and it is thoroughly enjoyable. (Edited)

Hits you like a tornado. This is what rock sounds like when it's pushing all the barriers. Scorching guitars , snarling vocals , and very very intelligent lyrics which were a Clash trademark. They would equal this album a couple of times but never surpass it.