Red Mosquito

Lament wrote:
(White Man) In Hamersmith Palais

the bass

Paul Simonon is a beast. Not to mention the subject of maybe the greatest photo ever taken in popular music history...



(Fuck, I'm gonna go start a favorite music photos thread...unless there already is one)

Lament wrote:There's a difference between favorite and greatest. The Holy Bible is my favorite album of all-time, but I have no delusions about it being the greatest of all-time.

Oh I know - I was just being a dick.

And I must say I 100% agree with your original sentiment about the Clash.

Carry on.

.

Lament wrote:I refuse to believe that there's a single post in the entire history of RM that Stip hasn't read.

I've been saving some for retirement

Make the case for the Clash being the greatest. I so rarely get to hear someone say anything other than the Beatles

stip wrote:Make the case for the Clash being the greatest. I so rarely get to hear someone say anything other than the Beatles

They were a band that started out punk (there first gig was support for the Sex Pistols) and stayed true to that ethos, but weren't at all afraid to explore new musical territory, and managed to be rooted in rockabilly, blues, dance, ska and reggae as well. All that lead to some amazing hooks that stand the test of time.

London Calling is rightly considered one of the greatest albums of all time by most, and they then followed that up with a total left turn in Sandanista (a triple (!) album that was more dance than 'punk') that happens to be my personal favourite of theirs. They were iconic in so many ways (see Lament's comments re: the cover of London Calling), their look on stage was flash, and they had the chops to match it. They existed in an important era and were part of great musical change. They lead, didn't follow.

But in the end it has to come back to the music, and the songwriting and arrangements are just top class. I'd put their overall discog up against anyone's. Take out 'Cut the Crap' and it approaches perfect. So many great songs, so many great tunes, with lyrics that actually often meant something. When they were on song together Joe Strummer and Mick Jones were an amazing musical force. Mick Jones did some great stuff with Big Audio Dynamite afterwards, much of which to me was an extension of the Clash's work.

Joe Strummer was cool as fuck, a great front man, Mick Jones had the musical vision, Paul Simonon was "a beast" on bass, and in Topper Headon they had a jazz trained drummer to hold it together and able to take them where they wanted to go. Great band. And to be honest I can't think of any other that I would rank above them.

I still remember the first time I heard London Calling. I was like, what the fuck is that shit, then brought it back to the shop.

The Rolling Stones - Sweet Virgina

They've gone up in price a bit, but The Clash Before and After is an incredible book of photographs, all from the same photog who snapped the cover of London Calling (it's in here). Almost every photo is that good, that iconic. Probably my favorite book of rock photos ever. For fans of photography or the Clash, it's well worth hunting down a copy.

DeLima wrote:The Rolling Stones - Sweet Virgina

Love this song

i think the only clash album I ever had was the greatest hits. I liked a few things here and there but it didn't inspire me to look further. I am not a fan of punk though, or that sloppy aesthetic in general (of course there are exceptions here and there)

stip wrote:punk or that sloppy aesthetic

I honestly don't think either of those words describe the Clash. The first album could probably be labeled punk but there was really nothing sloppy about their playing. They were a super tight band, beginning to end. That said, they aren't for everyone and definitely require some work to delve into (triple albums and all).

PryTo wrote: The first album could probably be labeled punk

And the second. And the third. And a good chunk of the fourth. Yes, The Clash was a punk band through and through. It's silly to say they weren't because they were eclectic or tight. A lot of punk music is.

But they definitely weren't sloppy apart from that first year or so when they still couldn't play their instruments.

how would you describe the sound and feel of the song Lament picked?

raw
unhinged
so full of vital urgency and pure punk energy

theplatypus wrote:

PryTo wrote: The first album could probably be labeled punk

And the second. And the third. And a good chunk of the fourth. Yes, The Clash was a punk band through and through. It's silly to say they weren't because they were eclectic or tight. A lot of punk music is.

Eh, different strokes. I think slapping is a label like punk on a band whose range was so broad is somewhat limiting.

PryTo wrote:

theplatypus wrote:

PryTo wrote: The first album could probably be labeled punk

And the second. And the third. And a good chunk of the fourth. Yes, The Clash was a punk band through and through. It's silly to say they weren't because they were eclectic or tight. A lot of punk music is.

Eh, different strokes. I think slapping is a label like punk on a band whose range was so broad is somewhat limiting.

are you saying they were proto-post-punk?

terry reid - to be treated