I probably heard this before the first album (but not before the early singles), and confess to being disappointed at the time. Classic second album syndrome? It tends to be forgotten between the debut and London Calling, but on seeing it in a sale (Our Price - CDs without cases for £1 each), I snapped it up and made my own insert.
It starts off well - Safe European Home, English Civil War and Tommy Gun all rock along with the band's political edge, before the jangly, poppy Julie's Been Working For The Drug Squad, and the more ordinary (but still enjoyable) Last Gang In Town wrap up the first half.
Guns On The Roof and Drug-Stabbing Time really aren't Clash classics, and I doubt would have made this album's predecessor or successor, but the more mellow Stay Free brings some quality listening to the second half. But that's about all - Cheapskates and All The Young Punks (New Boots and Contracts) - you're on CBS, lads - aren't likely to make any 'Best of The Clash' compilations.
This really does feel like a second album. A few strong tracks and a lot of filler. London Calling might well support my "third album theory".
3* - enough great tracks to merit three stars, but they're in the minority.
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