The Clash (these are in addition to the brilliant head of the troop Joe Strummer even Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon) are clearly the most musical punk band of all time - because if you want to specify the drawer "Punk" is. Sure, the rhythm is Punk (mostly), most of the songs stomp at breathtaking pace ahead. Irresistible is the urge to turn up the speaker until it stops.
But "London Calling" has much more to offer than what is generally understood by Punk: Reggae example always comes back to light dominant, even sometimes in harmonious interplay with jazz, ska, tough rock'n'roll and folk, and a touch of flamenco (eg in "Spanish Bombs") can also be connected with Punk. As for the lyrics - which are at least as intelligent as the music; because of "'demolition' till you drop"! Dealing with topics ranging from geharnischtem Thatcher insulting about the Spanish Civil War, drug abuse across the social classes, to homages to Montgomery Clift ("The Right Profile") and Stagger Lee.
According musically versatile album is - some examples: After tough opener ("London Calling", "Brand New Cadillac") followed by "Jimmy Jazz" the alternative program: A clever combination of reggae and jazz - but with big-band sound à la Clash, so highly minimalist and highly effective. So I leave it to me please! "Rudie Can not Fail" in turn is a quietschlebendiger Reggae / Ska mix. - Sometimes "Clampdown" and "Four Horsemen" again also, for example, in "The Right Profile", stomping punk rhythm à la Sex Pistols are combined with a slightly jazzy horn section ... feature refined minimalism, "the boss spits here "then suddenly zuzulegen middle of the song a transition, and" The Guns of Brixton "is a simply brilliant punk Reggae. "Wrong'em Boyo" is a reggae tribute to Stagger Lee, of course, with folk-rock overtones ... and "The Card Cheat" has nothing to do with punk, besides the rhythm, without this track, perhaps hard on the lard border would. But he is welcome to this rhythm, in which mitmuss everything.
Right after coming back a sharp contrast: Superbly supercooled "Lover's Rock". Then again, a reggae that sounds hard to Bob Marley, without a flat imitation to be (the drums!), Or "I'm Not Down" noble guitar rock, which also drummer and bass player to show what they have it all - and "Train in Vain" as brilliant epilogue is knotless Pop with minimal punk tracks (you can not let it stop, luckily!) ... As I said: This list is very, very incomplete.
Short: The Clash can be in every song with something new, and sound does it even after almost 30 years still like brand new out of the studio. No wonder that "Q" and the "Rolling Stone" expect the album among the best albums of all time.
