The clash

[Guest evenflowDDT]

I was at Virgin Megastore today, and looking for something I could actually afford, came across The Clash.  Suddenly remembering I owned no Clash albums and feeling a little embarrassed because of that, I decided to buy the self-titled album since it was only $12.99.  I picked up the "UK Version", noting that it featured 5 tracks not on the U.S. version so it must be better.  Then, I saw the U.S. version with a sticker noting it featured 5 tracks not on the UK version! I ended up buying neither, not knowing enough about The Clash to make "the right choice".

 

I'm not gonna be at Virgin for a while, but for next time... What gives? Which one should I buy? Or should I just get London Calling instead?

[Guest Dr. Wrestlingphysics]

The reason there are two "Clash" albums is because the record company thought the original UK version was too raw and not "produced" enough for the US market.

The slightly different track listings on the US version is due to CBS polishing up the production by dropping the rawest and most badly produced songs in favour of the band's singles and songs recorded after the album's UK release.

It took them so long to sort it out, it was released in the US after their second album "Give 'em Enough Rope"!

As for which one to get, as an introduction to the Clash, go for the US version (I have both).

[Guest goodhelmet]

Get London Calling regardless. Best punk album EVER!

[Guest Kinetic]

Which is which, as far as the U.K. and U.S. versions are concerned?  I'm pretty sure the U.S. version has "White Man In Hammersmith Palais" on it, which is worth 13 bucks by itself.  Get London Calling, too, obviously.  If you see a discount copy of Sandinista!, however, just keep walking.

[Guest]

$12.99? That's a bit expensive, I bought London Calling the the Singles album for $7 a pop.

[Guest evenflowDDT]

$12.99? That's a bit expensive, I bought London Calling the the Singles album for $7 a pop.

Remember, this was Virgin Megastore, one of the huge chains that actually charges the MSRP of CD's... I was gonna get the new Elvis Costello too but on SALE it was $16.99, so I went to see how much the older Elvis Costello's were and they were $18.99 (!)... and record companies wonder why broke teenage kids download and burn music...

[Guest muzanisa]

Get the UK version and London calling.

Too raw my arse.

[Guest Dr. Wrestlingphysics]

Too raw my arse

 

My thoughts exactly, but it shows what the record companies were used to after years of overproduced stuff like "prog rock".

 

Here we go, the track listings.

U.K. Version:

 

Janie Jones

Remote Control

I'm So Bored With The USA

White Riot (version with 1-2-3-4 intro)

Hate & War

What's My Name

Deny

London's Burning

Career Opportuniities

Cheat

Protex Blue

Police & Thieves

48 Hours

Garageland

 

U.S. Version:

 

Clash City Rockers

I'm So Bored With The USA

Remote Control

Complete Control

White Riot (single version with police siren intro)

White Man In Hammersmith Palais

London's Burning

I Fought The Law

Janie Jones

Career Opportunities

What's My Name

Hate And War

Police And Thieves

Jail Guitar Doors

 

Whichever one you go for, you get a lot of songs for your money (not like some rip-off 10 song albums).

 

I would recommend buying "The Clash" before "London Calling" as it makes the development of the band, and London Calling as a whole, more impressive if you've listened to, and appreciated "The Clash" beforehand.

[Guest converge241]

"calling" is my personal fave.

 

anyone interested in the clash can check out "the story of the clash" as well. Compilation of greatest hits that can be usually found pretty cheap