Review: London Calling - The Clash

The Clash's canon is peculiar in the fact that it doesn't particularly represent, critically, what you'd expect from 'one of the best bands of all time.' Conventionally, when that title is fitted to a band, you tend to see a relatively flawless catalogue, bequeathed with titles and accolades from critics and fans alike. What makes The Clash still so interesting is that much of their work is still contested to this day - the band produced six records - the material ranging from punk to reggae to even white rap and forays into dub. And while it is generally considered that the band's first effort The Clash is up their with the great punk efforts (and works of the 70s), it is the band's 1979 offering of London Calling that chronicles the most attention and praise.


The critics almost unanimously laud London Calling as a masterpiece, yet the work around it is met with a range of warmth and criticism. The answer for The Clash perhaps not lies in their studio efforts, though, and much of their continuing appeal is from the band's attitudes and grooves. The Clash are one of the most important bands of all time, but if you aren't convinced go and pick up The Essential Clash, the stellar tracklisting proves why over 7 to 8 years The Clash perhaps were the only band that mattered.

London Calling (1979)

And so begins another review that comments on the almost faultless giant that is London Calling.