Magnificent 1

Determined in their ambition, manic in their eclecticism, the Clash in 1980 offer a musical revolution of 36 songs, "Sandinista!" In tribute to the ongoing revolution in Nicaragua. Originally released as a triple album Sandinista is gargantuan. It is almost an endurance exercise for the listener, not because of an unsatisfactory musical material - unlike most of the tracks are exceptional - but because the Clash were bent to move from one style to the other ... and also because it is quite a long one listen. Some say Sandinista would have been higher if there had been a double album. There certainly has some songs that are not "essential". Was the joke version of "Career opportunitées" sung by children necessary? And the dingo and swingant "Look Here"? Timon Dogg came to sing as a guest on "Lose This Skin" ruin his boredom by what could have been a decent song. And yes the diversity of musical genres is often a good surprise but even so, the joke of the Gospel "The Sound Of Sinners" ... and even if it is to take second degree. But there will always be the best songs than others, especially on this album that size. In fact, the weakest songs are simply highlight the highs on the album and I would not trade for anything the initial slap I received when I listened to all these songs together against a possible "Best of Sandinista" truncated. Never! When the lifter up of musical challenges like the Clash have done, scars only contribute to shine jewelry more radiant. The only similar to Sandinista albums are the "White Album" of Beetles and work of the Beastie Boys on the Grand Royal label, which also produced pieces dispensable but constituted the best possible link with other stellar pieces. Nobody pinaillerait if those missteps had been assigned on B-sides, so why quibble here?

Personally I prefer too much than not enough. When you double album filled only half of songs that kill, it is much more impressive and also more generous. However, the Clash were super generous with Sandinista and we should be grateful. Grateful because they dared to experiment and they kept things exciting by expanding their musical vocabulary. Grateful that they were among the few groups that introduced political and social commentary to their musical work, while maintaining a sense of humor and fun - who else would dare to make a disco song on War Cold ("Ivan Meets GI Joe") and lyrics by illustrate his comics? And we should be especially grateful for their subsequent songs that achieve exceptional quality.

"The Magnificent Seven". The slap! As with Blondie "Rapture", the Clash show how they were connected by the hip-hop before most whites do know what it was. We must admit that at that time everybody was trying to imitate the bass line of Bernard Edwards (Chic group), but Paul Simonon did better than anyone. It is indeed a real funk here! The words of Joe Strummer too - its full dissection of mind from simple worker - approach the best Dylan puns. The guy still manages to rhyme "lobster" ("lobster") with "robster" ("Gangster"). The anti-war song "The Call Up" looks like a "Into The Groove" and slower and darker with a production - like the work of Brian Eno with Talking Heads - who helped shape the sound pop 80s "Junco Partner" is a piece of heady and joyous reggae. "Police On My Back" is a wild song, old school rock the Clash, but more settled and more focused on singing. "Kingston Advice" today still sounds like nothing that has been previously registered; I do not even know how to describe the song ... really weird is the best I can say. With purely experimental tracks like "Mensforth Hill" and "Silicone on Sapphire", the Clash resume the hand where the Beatles had stopped with "Revolution 9" and heavily electronic sound portend the last fifteen years. The stylistic influence prevails most is Jamaican, but unlike the white musicians who tried to cool ska (but really cheesy) - as too often happened in the late 90s - we offer the Clash a deep and even deeper dub reggae. One of the highlights of the album is the transformation of the great "One More Time" into a superb "One More Dub". Overall, the songs of Mick Jones are not as good as these creations placed on "London Calling" (there is nothing that reaches the level of "Train In Vain" or "Lost In The Supermarket") but his pieces are crispy and remain in the head. "Hitsville UK" approaches the Euro-pop style and makes me smile every time. Rocks and pieces "Somebody Got Murdered" and "Up In The Heaven" keep the album to a great look. A more important role given to Simonon and Headon possible to give the group greater strength rhythmically while Strummer reached its fiercest peak, the most charismatic as spokesman Clash.

Again I repeat: be grateful Sandinista! Yes grateful that at one time there were artists in the music industry who cared to be the best. The Clash cared about the world and their music - to the point that they are open to all. And so nothing nowadays, we could take a little of that all ... even if it comes from an old album 29 years.