TheeEssFo t1_j932b2e wrote on February 18, 2023 at 9:31 PM

Their first two albums are archetypal punk rock. Third album is a crossover masterpiece. Sandinista divides the fanbase. Then they mailed in Combat Rock. The ouster of Mick Jones (who sang/wrote Train In Vain, Should I Stay Or Should I Go?) had the effect of turning their music to shit. So if you like Train In Vain, you should really listen to Big Audio Dynamite, because that's what Jones did next.

moremoremoredead t1_j93jhei wrote on February 18, 2023 at 11:40 PM

Sandinista is a banger. Listen to it probably more than any other clash record.

Josh100_3 t1_j93t3by wrote on February 19, 2023 at 12:55 AM

The Clash are one of my favourite bands but Sandinista just never clicked for me.

moremoremoredead t1_j93xmaw wrote on February 19, 2023 at 1:32 AM

It is definitely the fuck you albums to the commercial successes. It was my window into dub music.

TheeEssFo t1_j96k8rk wrote on February 19, 2023 at 5:18 PM

There's so many ways to look at it. It's as bloated or overstuffed as any classic rock double album (if not more), and songs like Hitsville definitely are very commercial. Almost like a distant cousin to The Who Sell Out.

I wonder if it were released today that its dub/reggae elements would be accused of blackface or cultural appropriation. We'll never know.

moremoremoredead t1_j97jbq8 wrote on February 19, 2023 at 9:20 PM

I can see that point of view too

TomSwirly t1_j95r30o wrote on February 19, 2023 at 1:34 PM

I relistened to Combat Rock and I had to say that by any other band, it'd be a masterpiece.

I just don't like "Rock The Casbah" is my big issue with that.

TheeEssFo t1_j96j2ag wrote on February 19, 2023 at 5:10 PM

I've tried going back to it, and I always come out with the feeling that it's, "We're the Clash, baby, yeah! Dig it!" I think I was overly swayed by a documentary that made them look like a bunch of bellends. Surrounded by sycophants, believed they were divine, emperor's new clothes and all that.