“THE CLASH” (1977)
The Clash’s debut album is what righteous angry punk should strive for. Joe Strummer and Mick Jones’ angular guitars fight each other over lyrics about oppression, riots and living on welfare. Even here, the band is already beginning to dabble in reggae, with “White Man in Hammersmith Palais” and a “Police and Thieves” cover.
“GIVE ‘EM ENOUGH ROPE” (1978)
Another punk album, though with cleaner guitars, slicker production and less of a point to prove. The album is solid and strong, but misses out on the anger of the first album. A good buy for Clash fans, but its not recommended for the casual listener.
“LONDON CALLING” (1979)
With this album, the band took a giant musical leap forward, tackling R&B, rockabilly, jazz, pop and more reggae. Every one of the albums 19 tracks is solid. This double album is essential for anyone with even a passing interest in The Clash.
“SANDINISTA!” (1980)
The old joke about “Sandinista!” is that somewhere on this triple album is one great album. The Clash get seven more musically adventurous this time around, diving head first into hip-hop, disco, dub, gospel, instrumentals, sound collages and even throw in a waltz. While the album should be admired for its ambition, it could have done without a few songs (a children’s choir rendition of “Career Opportunities” stands out). “Sandinista!” remains the only album I would ever compare to The Beatles’ “White Album.”
“COMBAT ROCK” (1982)
This album produced the two songs most listeners will recognize (“Rock the Casbah” and “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”). While touching on arena rock and funk, this album is less ambitious and more personal, including odes to Travis Bickle of “Taxi Driver” and tales of the Amerasian Blues. Watch out for the lost masterpiece “Straight to Hell,” which was recently sampled by M.I.A. in her song “Paper Planes.”
“CUT THE CRAP” (1985)
After firing guitarist Mick Jones and drummer Topper Headon, Strummer and bassist Paul Simonon hired three unknowns and created this mess. If the band had done as the album title suggests, all that would be left is the track “This is England.” I wouldn’t advise buying this – even to complete your collection. This is not The Clash.
“SUPER BLACK MARKET CLASH” (1994)
This is a fun compilation of singles, b-sides and alternate cuts (like a dub version of “Rock the Casbah”). Not a recommendation for the passive listener, but great fun for a Clash aficionado.