Great band! I'd consider them the best lyricists of the first wave of Punk. I also find their ability to grow, evolve and incorporate a vast array of musical influences in their music really impressive. London Calling might be my most favorite double album ever.
I think punk is really versatile. It's simple in its origins though. The Clash, eh? May have to check them out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGIFublvDes
To fully understand the Clash, you had to be 20 in the UK in 1977. I think they were one of the best British bands ever. Esp the 1st album (get the UK version as the US release omitted 'I'm so bored with the USA). Generally not a fan of punk, but they were one big exception.
I have to agree with the OP. I think the Clash are vastly overrated, and I think London Calling is one the most of overrated albums of all time. I struggle to call them "punk," but rather more like pop-punk. Their sound has always been too polished for my liking, which isn't to say I don't like some of their songs. Overall, I just think they receive way too much attention. When it comes to late 70s music from the UK, I have always preferred the post-punk genre. Bands such as Joy Division, Wire, Public Image LTD, Gang of Four, The Sound, etc. These bands seem to have a lot more depth and substance. But to each their own.
My introduction was in a speeding Jaguar on the road from Amsterdam to London via the chunnel with a mad bald man at the wheel showing off at 150 mph in Belgium. As we approached the chunnel entrance he stopped for petrol, the motorcycle police were politely waiting for their cash payout so he could proceed. Meanwhile 'London Calling' was played at loud levels the entire time - enough to burst one's eardrums. The driver was depressed after paying e300 for his freedom, so he finally turned it off. Whew! https://youtu.be/EfK-WX2pa8c
At the time they were rather "new" as far as what they were doing which gave them a lot of play. Not the best band but not the worst by any means. I did like london calling probably the most at the time but have not really played it a lot in years. Nice to see you back jmt.
I'm not into punk and I am not sure how overrated or not they are, but I know I never digged them and see them get the credit and attention they get... well, it's just not for me. It's that simple. I'm the same with David Bowie though. Classic pop artist but I never really appreciated his kind of pop music. I appreciate punk the most when it is stuff like Cock Sparrer, the Business or the Pogues. I also love some Exploited songs. The clash... not my kind of punk/pop/whatever obviously..
Might not be a band you like necessarily but if you listened to some stuff I think you could appreciate it at least. They actually had quite a bit of reggae and dub influence in some of their music and one of the pioneers in crossing punk and reggae. http://youtu.be/h6fC69D-wlY http://youtu.be/wqcizZebcaU
How do you think I came to my conclusion? I listened to more than London calling. I am fairly selective in reggae and dub as well, and only interested in crossovers/fusion stuff if they happen to do something I'm interested in. Mixing punk with reggae is not one of those things (it can be an intriguing experiment but its not something I like to listen to at all. Besides, the clash is not the kind of punk I appreciate...). Same with rap and metal. I can dig both (terribly selective in both genres though... ) but the combi is just not spend well on me. Debut album of Ratm is an exception.
^ It's like the british Green day from the 80's This is the best/most memorable they get (for me!). But the dub/reggae sounds are done to death in their own genres and other crossovers so I don't come to the Clash for that.
I don't bother with people who base their opinion of a genre or a band's repetoire on something else than their own listening experience and when they claim to have a specific opinion of a band I at first instance assume it is based on the band's sound. Unless it is implied it is based on an image, or a subculture etc. etc. Then I don't bother with their opinion of the sound exactly, but have a hard time resisting pointing out the obvious (that their opinion of the sound they have not listened to themselves is useless ) That's ok. I'm just sharing how I find it sounds.
Like I said before, it kind of resonated with the young and disaffected back in the late 70's. Since that was me, I liked it - although I was never a punk. Back then it all sounded new, fresh, uncompromising and different - a change from the 70's 'super-groups' like Supertramp and Genesis.
