The Clash - London Calling

London Calling is the third studio album by British punk rock band The Clash, originally released in December 1979 via CBS Records.

The Clash formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska and rockabilly. For most of their recording career The Clash consisted of Joe Strummer (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Mick Jones (lead guitar, lead vocals), Paul Simonon (bass, vocals) and Nicky "Topper" Headon (drums, percussion). Headon left the group in 1982, and internal friction led to Jones's departure the following year. The group continued with new members, but finally disbanded in early 1986.

The Clash achieved commercial success in the United Kingdom with the release of their self-titled debut album in 1977. Their third album, London Calling, earned them popularity in the United States. It was declared the best album of the 1980s a decade later by Rolling Stone Magazine. In 1982 they reached new heights of success with the release of Combat Rock. Their final album, Cut The Crap, was released in 1985.

The Clash's politicised lyrics, musical experimentation, and rebellious attitude had a far-reaching influence on rock, and alternative rock in particular. They became widely referred to as "The Only Band That Matters", originally a promotional slogan introduced by the group's record label. In January 2003, shortly after the death of Joe Strummer, the band - including original drummer Terry Chimes - were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked The Clash number 28 on their list of the 100 greatest artists of all time.

Double-album London Calling was a remarkable leap forward for The Clash, incorporating the punk aesthetic into rock & roll mythology and roots music. Before, The Clash had experimented with reggae, but that was no preparation for the dizzying array of styles on London Calling. There's punk and reggae, but there's also rockabilly, ska, New Orleans R&B, pop, lounge jazz, and hard rock; and while the record isn't tied together by a specific theme, its eclecticism and anthemic punk function as a rallying call.

While many of the songs - particularly "London Calling", "Spanish Bombs", and "The Guns Of Brixton" - are explicitly political, by acknowledging no boundaries the music itself is political and revolutionary. But it is also invigorating, rocking harder and with more purpose than most albums, let alone double albums.

Over the course of the record, the band explore their familiar themes of working-class rebellion and antiestablishment rants, but they also tie them in to old rock & roll traditions and myths.

Yet the album never lacks focus and their willingness to experiment is never let down by a lack of great songs. They're even confident enough to leave possibly the best song of all, "Train In Vain", un-credited on the original sleeve when any other band would be screaming its presence from the rooftops.

The result is a stunning statement of purpose and one of the greatest rock & roll albums ever recorded.

Colin Larkin the editor of The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music assigned a 5 star (out of 5) rating to this album - "outstanding in every way, a classic".

This remastered double LP on 180 gram audiophile vinyl with reproduced original artwork is pressed in Europe.