The Clash (U.K. Version) [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

The Clash

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 2000)
• Original Release Date: April 8, 1977
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004BZ04
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (88 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,118 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Alternative Rock > British Alternative > British Punk

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Clash's label didn't believe this debut would sell in the United States. By the time CBS got around to releasing a stateside version of the U.K. album, the British original had become an import hit. While the U.S. release contains outstanding tracks such as "Complete Control" and "Clash City Rockers," it's still missing "Cheat," "Protex Blue," "48 Hours," and "Deny." No matter which version you prefer, The Clash is a fearsome listen. Joe Strummer reviles the system at every turn, while Mick Jones wields his guitar like a switchblade. Yet even on their debut there are hints of future musical adventures. Junior Murvin's "Police & Thieves" is solid reggae, while "White Man in Hammersmith Palais" expertly interpolates the reggae groove into their punk attack. --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An argument for the U.S. version..., December 13, 2004

By	Michael Crowley (Albany, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First off, I have no respectable punk credentials (is that an oxymoron?). I did buy the U.K. version on vinyl back in the late 70s, when it was the only version, but that was kind of a fluke, although I did love that record.

Anyway, personally, I like the U.S. version.

For the U.S. release, Sony replaced Deny, Cheat, Protex Blue and 48 Hours, all worthy songs, with Clash City Rockers, Complete Control, (White Man) in Hammersmith Palais, I Fought the Law and Jail Guitar Doors (yeah, they threw in an extra song).

I agree that the U.K, version hangs together better. The U.S. version sounds a little more like a collection of singles, and in fact that's what all the substituted songs were. And the substituted songs are a little less hardcore.

But to their credit Sony picked some great, in fact indispensible, songs for the U.S. version. I Fought the Law is one of the Clash's signature tracks. Complete Control, besides being a great song, was produced by reggae god Lee Perry, the Upsetter himself. And (White Man) in Hammersmith Palais is a classic, perhaps the classic, punk-reggae tune. The other two substituted songs, while great, aren't quite as historically significant.

Yeah, sure, you could buy the more authentic U.K. version and then buy the Clash collection The Singles and get all the songs that were added to the U. S. version--and more. But that collection includes a couple of the songs already on this CD, so you have to ask yourself: Do you want two versions of White Riot or Remote Control? Are you interested in everything the Clash did throughout their career, including obscure B sides? How much of a scholar are you?

Or you could find the songs Sony added on the Internet, which might be the way to go if you're a completist.

But you're a cheap lazy sod and just want one version of the Clash's first CD, I would hesitantly recommend the U.S. version.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sony Music = CHEAPSKATES!, June 6, 2001

By	sully van (the land of chocolate) - See all my reviews

The one-star rating has nothing to do with what Mick, Paul + Joe were doing in 1977 and everything to do with the avarice shown by their record label in 2000. I have no intention of debating whether the US or UK version is better, either (although personally, I'll take "Clash City Rockers" and "...Hammersmith Palais" over "Protex Blue" and "Cheat" any day). The fact of the matter is, Sony should have put out one disc with all the tracks on it, rendering all such arguments moot.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the essential album ..., March 30, 2000

By	strummer (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

There's no denying that the UK version of The Clash's self-titled debut is the essential version. Anyone remotely familiar with The Clash or the UK punk scene can tell you that. It's all here - the snarling, cockneyed fury, the amphetamine-laced vitriol, stungun guitar chops, DIY musicianship and songwriting (though Strummer/Jones hardly deserve to be lumped into that category) and most of all satisfying, searing music played at a breakneck pace. After all, the album's barely 40 minutes long and by 2000's standards that's not a lot of music. Then again, when was the last time 'N Sync or any other band burst out of the gate with an album like this? 1976 or 1977 if memory serves ...

The arrangement on this CD is superior to the US version. It flows much better. The right songs are here (excepting, arguably, '(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais') and this is the way The Clash intended the world to hear their debut album. That last point is probably an important one in making the case for this version.

Perhaps most importantly, though, is the fact that this album truly defines punk. It's not just three chords and a disaffected chorus. That's going through the motions. It's about emotion - raw & pure. That's what The Clash has in spades. Take 'Police & Thieves' as an example. Is it punk rock? You bet it is.

Bottom line: If you're at all interested in punk music - or music period - you need to own this album.