Show #228: 04.09.10
Jim and Greg conduct a Classic Album Dissection of the landmark release London Calling by the Clash.

Hasn't held up well IMHO. A few choice cuts but stuffed full' a filla.

Holds up perfectly IMHO. Timeless, front to back. Almost every other Clash record is admittedly loaded with filler, with maybe the exception of the first record (UK). 'London Calling' though, I love every second of it.

Really looking forward to this show.

On a personal level, disregarding anyone else's review, valid or otherwise, 'London Calling' remains the most important record I've ever listened to. It was a gateway drug for me that led me to explore music in a more serious way. To understand the music, to understand and learn about the ideas and influences behind it. Hard rock had led me to Metal and classic rock as a kid. That, skateboarding and Thrasher magazine led me to punk rock (mostly the west coast / skate stuff in the early to mid '80s and of course The Ramones when I was around 13-14). The Clash, especially on 'London Calling,' was the first band that I listened to that defied categorization and I became obsessed with their music. I can remember checking out the vinyl at the public library and making a cassette tape of it. It was like nothing else I owned or heard anywhere else at the time. The Clash and this record opened up a lot of doors for me not only in music and my listening habits, but in my mind as well. While I can't point to some life changing moment when I heard 'London Calling' for the first time, I can definitely reflect and see how this record left its mark on me and, in some little way, helped to shape the person I am today. I've been listening to this record on a regular basis now for 25 years. I've never tired of it.