Customer Reviews

Story of the Clash 1

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Basically this collection can be summed up this way: If you are only going to buy one Clash album and you don't feel like shelling out for the "Clash on Broadway" boxed set, this is the one to get. 28 songs that show why the Clash were so important for an extremely low price.

The album itself is a bit of a mess with all the songs out of chronological order, but if anything, it proves just how eclectic the band really was. Most of their albums are well represented (except "Sandinista" - two songs from a 36 song album??) and there are a few important non-album tracks like "Armagedion Time" and "This is Radio Clash" thrown in for good measure.

Collector's Note: If you're a Clash completist, "Story" has the 12" single version of "The Magnificent Seven," the single mix of "Rock the Casbah," and an otherwise unavailable version of "Capitol Radio One" with the original three-minute interview tacked onto the beginning.

If you have visions of spittle-spewing, tattoed and pierced, odd-haired miscreants who have as much facility on their instruments as the average zoo monkey when you hear the phrase "punk music", this collection will likely be quite a surprise. The dirty truth is this: Underneath the exterior image and the left-leaning politics, The Clash are really, at heart, a great pop/rock band (albeit an "edgy" one). Listen to "Stay Free" and you'll hear echoes of Merseybeat bands. The faux disco beat underlying "This is Radio Clash" and "The Magnificent Seven" dare you not to dance. The handclaps slathered throughout "Rock the Casbah" are straight out of bubblegum. Reggae also pops up in "Straight to Hell" and "Armagideon Time" among others. Most of the stereotypical "punk" numbers are found on Disc 2, but there's quite a bit here if you aren't necessarily a fan of scream/shout raveups.

HIGHLIGHTS:
"Rock the Casbah" makes the case that Middle Eastern rockers are revolutionaries and took it to the charts while doing so with its irrestible "Shariff don't like it!" chorus. "This is Radio Clash" is "aural ammunition" against the status quo, while "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" poses that eternal question of troubled relationships. "Train in Vain" recounts the aftermath: once she's decided to "go". ("All the times/When we were close/I'll remember these things the most/I see all my dreams come tumbling down/I won't be happy without you around..")Despite the dark subject, it rides a brisk harmonica/guitar rhythm. "I Fought the Law" is a nifty remake of the 60s rabblerouser, while "White Riot" is their own anthem of unrest. "Career Opportunities" are hard to find for the working class of England. "Stay Free" is their "Glory Days", a reminiscence of their days of youth and not-so-innocence. "London Calling" is a punk "The Times they are A-Changing". ("Engines stop running but I have no fear/Cos London is drowning and I live by the river..") "English Civil War" appropriates the ancient military ballad "When Johnny Comes Marching Home", turning it into an anthem for the angry English underclass young.

LOW SPOT:
"Capital Radio" suffers from a roughly 3 minute long (and not particularly interesting) "interview" with the band prior to getting into the song. The song itself is only average, making it completely anti-climactic.

BOTTOM LINE:
You don't have to be a "punk" fan to like the Clash. Give 'em a try if you like basic bare bones rock and roll.

I always liked the Clash when I was a boy, and then they broke up. Later, I bought this compilation of hits and non-hits. I think it's an excellent conglomeration of a great punk band. To be sure, disc two is somewhat tedious, but the two disc set works nicely. Now that it's been digitally remastered, the sound quality is even better. If you want individual Clash cds, then London Calling and Sandanista would be places to start. This collection is a must have for any rock collector.

If you're only buying one Clash album, buy this one. It has all the great songs on it, including the hard-to-find Armagideon Time, my personal all-time favorite Clash song. Plus most all of the great hits -- Radio Clash, Should I Stay, I Fought the Law, London Calling, Police & Thieves -- too many to name. The production quality is fantastic - sounds GREAT at high volume (which you should use of course). I was lucky enough to see the Clash live twice -- this is the album that brings it all back for me.

This is the collection that introduced me to the band many years ago. Consequently I got all their albums. Now I don't listen much to that type of music anymore, but recently I decided to buy this album here to refresh some of my sonic memories. And no doubt, The Story of the Clash still is very enjoyable.

Also I can see now some obvious strategy in this packaging: DISC 1 represents the Clash's most adventureous sonic efforts of 1979-82, while DISC 2 contains the classic punk rock arsenal from 1977 on.

Please note that this collection is heavily stuffed with tracks from their 1979 double album, London Calling. So if it's your first Clash album and you enjoy it, it's a good choice to pick that album next.

This is indeed the first Clash CD I purchased about 12 years ago. I already owned some tapes and albums but this was really the first recording I spent a lot of time with. I'm happy to say that, unlike most GH compilations, this actually encouraged me to purchase original albums. To be sure, if you want to truly explore a band, don't start with greatest hits... but the albums, especially with a band so great and so IMPORTANT as The Clash. Their style varied greatly over the years and treat them objectively - if you approach them expecting rotten-teeth-spitting punk, you'll be disapointed with alot of their work - which really transcends the genre. THEY WERE MUSICIANS.

Specifically, this album is superior to any other GH compilation of The Clash (Crucial, Essential, etc., etc.) because it has MORE MATERIAL. It's roughly split between the old and new and contains an interesting, amusing interview track on one disc. Also note, the Rock the Casbah is a slightly different mix than on the original album, you wouldn't notice unless you knew the original well.

The Clash didn't release too many albums in their short time - but don't waste your money trying on any GH of them with only one CD!!!

Recently I have been digging back into my punk roots. I have been wanting to get some music by The Clash for some time now but I wasn't really sure where to begin so I opted to get the two cd compilation "The Story of the Clash Vol.1". I thought this would be a good start, a lot better than their singles or best of compilations. I have always loved "Rock the Casbah", "Should I Stay Or SHould I Go?", and their version of Bobby Fuller's "I Fought the Law". Well needlesss to say I am so glad that I bought this album. It is a great collection of songs from one of the great punk bands of the late '70s, early '80s. A lot of bands nowadays could use a lesson or two from this great band. The Clash had lots to say unlike The Sex Pistols I think (as good as they were). They were definitely far more dangerous than The Sex Pistols here in the US with their socio-political lyrics. Rock 'N Roll has always been considered dangerous back in its early days until it started to become flaccid with bland, boring classic, corporate rock bands like Grand Funk Railroad and Kansas. Then came disco, and finally came punk which bit the music industry in the rear end where it deserves. The Clash, The Ramones, and The Sex Pistols pretty much revolutionized punk music for me. The angst of most bands today are a total joke to me. The Clash however will always remain timeless with classics like "London Calling", "Rock the Casbah", and "Should I Stay or Should I Go?". Punk lives on!

What a superb band and how well captured. The fantastic white reggae of 'Guns of Brixton', the rap-influenced 'Magnificent Seven', the punked-up version of Bobby Fuller's 'I fought the Law'- it's all on here. This is a must for anyone who likes punk but the Clash were always open to other influences and managed far better than almost any other punk band to move out of that genre. So even if you don't like punk check this one out. This was one of the most influential and significant bands of the late-70's/early-80's. A must for any record collection. And if you like this check out Stiff Little Fingers and Mano Negra.

I recommend this without reservation. The selection is great. I had previously owned two other Clash albums, but was not as charmed with them as I am with this collection. The only omission here as far as I see it is "Rudie Can't Fail." But you could cover your bases by getting the Grosse Pointe Blank soundtrack or the London Calling album, both of which have Rudie on them. YOU'LL LIKE THIS CD.

The first song I heard of the Clash was Rock the Casbah. And I bet I was not the only one who thought they were singing F**k the Casbah. I think that may be the reason I paid so much attention to the Clash.
They are such a "fun" band. Seeing them in concert, it always looks like they are having fun. It has to be fun singing "Lost in the Supermarket". This album is full of classics, and drips nostalgia with songs like "Straight to Hell", "Capital Radio", and "Somebody Got Married". Go buy it!