The CLASH - Albums Rated and Top 25 Songs

        

The Clash produced three outstanding, innovative albums in my opinion.

Their debut Clash record was like a cannon firing into the punk wilderness heralding their arrival on the scene.  Brass, angry and political, it would help elevate them as the 'Only Band that Matters'.

After a similarly sounding second LP, it was the break-through masterpiece London Calling that entrenched their standing in rock history. Released in the last months of 1979 but receiving airplay in early 1980, this diverse album ushered in the wide musical influences affecting the band at the time. Elements of jazz, reggae, rockabilly, R&B and ska blended incredibly well with the punk setting. Revolution rock with no boundaries!

How to follow-up a masterpiece?  By venturing into deeper musical soundscapes! Sandinista continued on the Clash's political theme, with some stand out songs, but the music was so experimental (and over three records) that it was easy to see why this record was reviled. Fans and critics were were confused and upset! The music was meandering and intoxicating at the same time, adding rap, dub, soul, gospel and choir to their expanding world music repertoire according to Joe Strummer's tastes in particular.  Today it sounds so fresh and relevant.  Musical genius decades ahead of its time.

Albums

London Calling            5          (7 songs)

Clash                           5          (4 songs)

Sandinista                   4.5       (4 songs)

Give ‘em Enough Rope  4      (3 songs)

Combat Rock             3.5       (3 songs)

Black Market Clash    3.5       (3 songs)

Cut the Crap.              1.5       (1 song)

Top 25 Songs

1. Clampdown
2. Guns of Brixton
3. White Riot
4. I Fought the Law
5. London Calling
6. Brand New Cadillac
7. Police on my Back
8. Magnificent Seven
9. Lost in the Supermarket
10. Should I Stay or Should I Go
11. Rock the Casbah
12. Train in Vain
13. Charlie Don't Surf
14. Stay Free
15. Bank Robber
16. Police + Thieves
17. Pressure Drop
18. This is Radio Clash
19. Straight to Hell
20. This is England
21. Career Opportunities
22. Safe European Home
23. Somebody Got Murdered
24. Tommy Gun
25. The Call Up

WINNER - Battle of the New Wave Bands

Drum Roll please .....  and the Winner of the New Wave Bands contest ..... by the closest of margins...... is THE CLASH!

The outcome was always in doubt and not determined until the final vote was cast.

Two distinct camps were forged throughout the contest, the synth-goth-emo crowd up against diehard punk rockers.  Depeche Mode, New Order, Cure and Smiths crowd vs. the Ramones, Sex Pistols, Clash and Undertones fanatics.  Kinda like Disco vs. Rock in the 70s.

New Wave music is a vibrant diversified genre, and in light of the narrow victory, I am comfortable recognizing the Finalists as Winners in distinct sub-genres as follows:

The CLASH - Winner in Punk Rock category
The CURE   - Winner in Goth Pop category

Thanks goes out to all the loyal fans of New Wave music who cast votes in every Round!  Without your regular participation this contest would not have been possible!!


P.S.  I am currently ON VACATION but will amend this post with additional materials on the Clash upon my return, i.e. Ranking of their albums and Top 25 Clash songs.

Battle of New Wave Bands - Finalists (Round 5)

The final championship match-up has been confirmed!  The voting was equally split until the very end!!

The two Final Bands standing are:

The Cure (58%)                                   vs.                           The Clash (58%)




The Cure Studio albums

 (courtesy Wikipedia)

• Three Imaginary Boys (1979)
• Seventeen Seconds (1980)
• Faith (1981)
• Pornography (1982)
• The Top (1984)
• The Head on the Door (1985)
• Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (1987)
• Disintegration (1989)
• Wish (1992)
• Wild Mood Swings (1996)
• Bloodflowers (2000)
• The Cure (2004)
• 4:13 Dream (2008)

The Clash Studio albums

 (courtesy Wikipedia)

• The Clash (1977)
• Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978)
• London Calling (1979)
• Sandinista! (1980)
• Combat Rock (1982)
• Cut the Crap (1985)

Simply select the ONE band that is best representative of the New Wave genre and ethos.


Deadline:    Friday April 25th 5pm EST.

Thanks for your ongoing participation throughout the Battle of the Bands!

Make this Final Vote Count.  I suspect a Winner will not be evident until the final submission!