The Clash - London Calling

YOURZ

I never got the opportunity to see The Clash live.  But in the last couple of weeks, I was able to see two of the original members performing together live when we saw Gorillaz live.  Sure, both Mick Jones and Paul Simonon aren't the young men they were when they made London Calling, but it didn't matter to me.  Seeing them on stage with Damon Albarn was something I'll never forget. 

As I stated in the review we did of their greatest hits earlier this year, if we lost our collection tomorrow, London Calling would be the first album I'd replace.  It is absolutely indespensible, a stunning album that expands itself well beyond its limited 'punk' label. 

I can't name a single track as a favourite.  I find it impossible.  How can I pick Rudi Can't Fail over Hateful or Train In Vain (Stand By Me) over Clampdown?  See my dilemma.  The Mick sung tracks over the Joe sung tracks.  It aint gonna happen, not ever. 

VERDICT: TURN IT UP - what are we gonna do now?

MINE

I can't imagine ever being without this album.  It's been with me since the moment it came out, when I'd sit on the floor of my best friend's living room, playing her brother's copy and listening to every note, singing along with the songs from the the lyrics on the inner sleeves.  I've had it on vinyl and now we have this brilliant Deluxe Edition.  Which reminds me, we've got so many of these editions and we never take out the DVDs and watch them.  Aha!  A mission for the Christmas break!

In my youth, before I owned the album myself, I recorded my best friend's brother's copy on cassette.  On a 90 minute cassette, so the double album could fit on both sides.  Anybody remember those?  The C90s that left a tiny bit of room on the end, so you'd search around for another song or two to fit?

Re-listening to London Calling today, I've been stunned by how fresh and sharp it still sounds.  From the distinctive twangs of the opening number, it puts you on notice that this is music to be listened to.  My favourite? Lost in the Supermarket.  Yours?

VERDICT: TURN IT UP guaranteed personality

For more information: http://www.theclash.com/

The Good, The Bad & The Queen - The Good, The Bad & The Queen

YOURZ

I've made my love of Damon Albarn apparent in previous posts so there's no need for me to rehash it here.  Suffice to say, though, this is yet another piece of musical genius by the former Blur lead vocalist.  The double bonus is The Good, The Bad & The Queen is produced by one of my favourites as well, Danger Mouse, whose deft touch proves as potent here as it does on anything else he handles. 

But the bonuses just keep happening.  Ostensibly a super group, TGTBTQ also has Paul Simonon (former bass player for The Clash), guitarist Simon Tong (formerly of The Verve and various other bands) and afrofunk pioneer, Tony Allen on drums.

All the tracks on the album were co-written by Albarn and Simonon and sound something like a cross between latter Blur tracks and the pop of Albarn's other band, Gorillaz.  But there is no mistaking Simonon's influence and his blending of dubby lines with more straight-forward bass riffs.  It is perfectly suited to Tony Allen's simple but sharp drumming. 

The most enjoyable thing about this album is that it sounds like a band who've been playing together for some time, not cobbled together for this session.  It could have easily been a Damon Albarn solo record but the man is a serial collaborator with the results speaking for themselves.  Personally, I'd like to see this lineup continue but of course, this depends on whether Albarn can stop long enough for the others to catch up to him.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

MINE

It's really good, but even after several plays there isn't one song or moment that remains with me.  I mean, it's Damon, so I could listen to him sing the street directory.  And of course all the songs are beautifully put together and produced.  It's an album I could cheerfully listen to at home, in the car, or anytime, but there was no "Wow" moment in it for me.  Not that it's background music, it definitely rewards the careful listener, with hints of the Kinks among other trace elements in this semi-supergroup musical melange. 

Maybe it's because I'm so used to musical excellence from Damon that I find this altogether beautiful but with no particular piece that calls to me.  Not that that's a bad thing, you understand.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

For more information: http://www.thegoodthebadandthequeen.com/