Founded in 1976 and one of the first bands to come to mind when talking about punk, The Clash’s third album, London Calling, dated December 14, 1979, was an album that summarized the understanding of time beyond being a cult.
They asked Bob Dylan, “Do you consider yourself a musician or a poet?” If he was a megalomaniac person, we wouldn’t be angry at Uncle Dylan, but look at how he answered the question: “I only consider myself a guitarist.” We’re sure Joe Strummer, the brainchild of The Clash, would have given the same answer if this question had been asked to him. But he wouldn’t have shown humility like Dylan, because he really was no more than an angry young guitarist.
So how did The Clash manage to make it one of the biggest bands in rock history?
Appearing in the punk band in 1977, The Clash’s self-titled debut album preceded Sex Pistols’ “Never Mind The Bollocks …” contrary to what most people think. The band released “Give ’em Enough Rope” right after a year with the acceleration provided by this album. “London Calling” is the 3rd album of The Clash. The first two albums of the group received very good reviews, and even both are still considered masterpieces. However, “London Calling” had such a superior musical expression with both its melodies and the words of a rebellious cry that the critics had to bring a new approach to the definition of the masterpiece.
The opening song “London Calling” is a simple and effective introduction and is at a level to outshine London’s burning from the Mars songs of their concerts, which were featured on their first album. “Jimmy Jazz” is not so unexpected from The Clash, which has always been open to black origin music such as reggae and blues; the vocals of soloist Joe Strummer (rip) in this song are very funky. The album originally begins with Hateful. The next “Rudie Can’t Fail” is a great rock’n’roll song with very simple chords. You are now warm to the album; there is no harm in waiting for a while for the doorbell ringing or a message to the mobile phone. Spanish Bombs is a pretty pop song, but this is Clash pop, not Michael Jackson or Madonna pop. The Guns of Brixton is one of the most melodic songs of the album and is the favorite of the author of these lines.
Wrong ’em Boyo, a piece of very sweet ska music, surprise you what you’ve been through: yes, no punk album you’ve heard so far has been this easy to listen to, right? The same atmosphere continues in Death or Glory and Koka Kola. Let’s get to The Card Cheat, the saddest song of the album. Hats off to Joe Strummer’s vocal performance in this song. It almost sings the song in a cry, and you now make your final and best decision about “London Calling”: this album is too complex, emotional, orderly, and even level to be described as a simple punk work!
Members of The Clash were not very special people
They were neither guitar virtuosos, nor could they write poetic lyrics. However, this did not diminish the expressiveness of their music; on the contrary, we always felt closer to the music of these ordinary people somehow. They were too simple to be a rock star, too emotional to be average, and too sincere to be called bad. The members of The Clash were “human,” not rock star spoils with swollen ego. And the highest point they reached, “London Calling,” was the best form of music called punk and it still is. What does “London Calling” mean to you in the 37th year of its recording? Just punk? Rock’ n’ roll? Reggae, blues, soul, or funk?
“London Calling” is a classic that combines all the genres mentioned. What they tell me is more than “music,” something more abstract, and if you’re a rock listener, it should be for you too. Many groups tried to imitate The Clash, but none of them could give people what they felt. The reason was simple: The Clash members weren’t very good musicians. Let me be more honest: in the beginning, they couldn’t even manage to play any instrument properly. But they were genuinely enthusiastic about making music and were more sincere than perhaps any band in history. Aside from their latest studio album, Cut The Crap, which caused their crash, they never repeat themselves. That’s why they affected so many people.