Review: Album number five from legendary British post-punk and New Wavers The Clash was first unveiled on 14th May 1982. 40 years on it finds itself the centre of attention once more, re-released both in this original version and an extended edition with bonus record The People's Hall. Sticking to this outing, fans will likely already know that the record as it was first intended remains the band's most successful of all time, outselling all that came before or after and charting higher than any other in the US and UK alike.
Respectively hitting number seven and number two in the charts of the day, and spending 23 weeks in the top 40 albums in Britain and a mammoth 61 weeks in the LP league tables Stateside, today it's a double-platinum testament to just how potent the combination of Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon was. The last record to feature that iteration of the outfit, tracks like 'Rock the Casbah' and 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go' remain utterly timeless.
Review: Like owning a little piece of history with a bonus memoir, The Clash's Combat Rock was - is - the band's best selling album of all time and highest charting in both the US and UK. This was also the last time Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon would record together before the lineup changed, and the track list contains at least two of the outfit's most recognised songs - namely 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go' and 'Rock the Casbah'.
The original version of the LP was less expansive than this special edition released to mark 40 years since the long-player went on sale. The addition of The People's Hall offers fans a chance to relish in no less than 12 extra tracks, including collaborations with the legendary Ranking Roger - 'Rock the Casbah' and 'Red Angel Dragnet' - the iconic late-frontman of The Beat more than ideally suited to the crew's sound.
Review: 1982's seminal fifth and final album from the classic lineup of Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon needs little introduction, but will now receive some additional sonic context in the guise of 'The People's Hall.'
Compiled by the living members of The Clash, this expanded edition features 12 previously unreleased rarities and outtakes including a version of 'Know Your Rights' recorded at The People's Hall on The Rolling Stones' Mobile Studio.
Offering greater insight into the recording, demoing and ideas process behind arguably the last definitive Clash album as well as one of the all time punk-rock greats, these additions are essential for any true Clash cultist.
Review: On September 21 1979 The Clash took to the stage of The Palladium in New York City and performed one of the most significant gigs of their lives. At that point they'd released their self-titled debut and Give 'Em Enough Rope, and their position as vital progenitors of the British punk explosion was assured on an international level. This particular performance was broadcast on the radio and subsequently became one of the most widely bootlegged of all Clash gigs, but it attained an even more legendary status as the gig where Paul Simonon smashed his bass into the floor, captured on camera and subsequently used as the iconic cover for London Calling.
Review: Given The Clash's wholehearted embrace of dub and reggae in their sound, it was significant when they came to Jamaica for the World Music Festival in 1982. Now you can relive that momentous gig thanks to a high quality sound board recording which captures the energy of the performance and the band when they were riding high off the back of Combat Rock. The hits are non-stop, from 'London Calling' to 'The Guns Of Brixton', 'Bankrobber' to 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go?'. The kind of band who truly made their songs come to life on stage, no one did it like The Clash - stick this on and you'll have no choice but to agree.
Review: Whilst it's now impossible to view Leonard Cohen's final album outside the context of his passing, the fact of the matter is that this lugubrious sage had been ruminating on the nature of endings and goodbyes for much of his near half-century of artistry, and it's hard to think of a figure who's been quite so eloquent and wise in this endeavour. 'You Want It Darker' seem may a fitting way to bow out, but moreso it bears testimony to the fact that Cohen's questing spirit remained undimmed right until the last, and his travails in the exploration of faith, romance and the human condition were never to lose their finesse and bite.
Review: If there was ever an artist suited to a posthumous release it's Leonard Cohen. The gravel-voiced baritone never made light of situations in life, so "voice from grave" fits him down to the ground. Moreover, if there was ever an artist we needed more music from it must be Cohen, one of the most gifted songwriters of the 20th Century, poet laureate of the human condition and the good and evil men and women do. This collection of leftovers from a relentlessly incredibly career has been pieced together with a little help from friends and family still cursed to walk this troubled Earth. Son Adam Cohen led on the project, with former-collaborators such as Beck, The National's Bryce Dessner and Feist called in for services. Not that you'd tell. The finished product is timeless Cohen business - a gentile and humble powerhouse you can't help but feel profoundly moved by.
Review: This September 21st, Leonard Cohen hit 80 years of age, and what better way to enter his ninth decade on earth than with another reliably dark and insightful series of grave reflections on the human condition. And indeed, with his stark ruminations backed with skill and taste by arrangements from erstwhile Madonna collaborator Patrick Leonard, he arguably hasn't sounded better in around half that time. Popular Problems is as witty, as wry, and as eternally affecting as we've come to expect from this troubadour. Indeed, while Cohen continues to make records as fine as this one, balancing out taste and refinement with gravitas and humour, we'll be forced to agree with his assertion herein: 'The party's over, but I've landed on my feet'.
Review: They're the biggest but most hated band on the planet, but that will never stop Coldplay. The band has long been at the top of the pop-rock world and once again Music of the Spheres is likely to keep them there. It is an album rather less wrought with emotional tension than they are known for but still has one eye firmly on the cosmos, like much of their material. In fact, there is a loose concept here that revolves around a distant solar system. The lead single, 'My Universe,' features K-pop kings BTS and is already a number one, and the rest of the tunes are so unashamedly big they will likely follow.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.