Comments on: The Over/Under: The Clash http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/05/05/the-overunder-the-clash/ Real Music Alternatives Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:12:51 +0000 hourly 1 By: Annette Weatherman http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/05/05/the-overunder-the-clash/comment-page-1/#comment-17104 Annette Weatherman Sun, 06 Sep 2009 06:37:44 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=26578#comment-17104 No rating of Clash songs will ever have any meaning. The Clash is a whole and the songs are all of one piece. The Clash play one long symphony that can never be picked apart. I'm American but even I know how to say "You're daft -- leave it out!" No rating of Clash songs will ever have any meaning. The Clash is a whole and the songs are all of one piece. The Clash play one long symphony that can never be picked apart. I’m American but even I know how to say “You’re daft — leave it out!”

]]> By: Dan Bridgeman http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/05/05/the-overunder-the-clash/comment-page-1/#comment-15007 Dan Bridgeman Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:08:31 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=26578#comment-15007 No doubt Jones was a great songwriter, but he didn't write "Police On My Back". It's an Eddy Grant cover. No doubt Jones was a great songwriter, but he didn’t write “Police On My Back”. It’s an Eddy Grant cover.

]]> By: Tim Cooper http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/05/05/the-overunder-the-clash/comment-page-1/#comment-9079 Tim Cooper Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:14:34 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=26578#comment-9079 Overrated: 1) Train in Vain--a nice little throw in on London Calling (remember it didn't make the original track listing), but it shouldn't have the position that it does as one of the "classic" radio tracks that define the Clash to those who don't take the initiative to explore a band's catalog. 2) Should I Stay or Should I Go--yes, I like the song too and it is catchy, but the Clash at their best delivered a visceral impact that was both physical and mental. Nothing to think about here, and it is their biggest (or second-biggest( hit. 3) Clash City Rockers--The Clash usually played this live and I like it too, but you could argue (and I do) that it is formulaic with chords from the Who's Can't Explain and forced rhymes for lyrics. Not even close to a definitive anthem. 4) Tommy Gun--I like this one too, and this was also in the live setlist, but the Clash wrote much better songs and lyrics. 5) Bankrobber--yes, I like the Clash doing reggae and dub, but this was not their best effort, despite it being a single and all. Overrated:
1) Train in Vain–a nice little throw in on London Calling (remember it didn’t make the original track listing), but it shouldn’t have the position that it does as one of the “classic” radio tracks that define the Clash to those who don’t take the initiative to explore a band’s catalog.
2) Should I Stay or Should I Go–yes, I like the song too and it is catchy, but the Clash at their best delivered a visceral impact that was both physical and mental. Nothing to think about here, and it is their biggest (or second-biggest( hit.
3) Clash City Rockers–The Clash usually played this live and I like it too, but you could argue (and I do) that it is formulaic with chords from the Who’s Can’t Explain and forced rhymes for lyrics. Not even close to a definitive anthem.
4) Tommy Gun–I like this one too, and this was also in the live setlist, but the Clash wrote much better songs and lyrics.
5) Bankrobber–yes, I like the Clash doing reggae and dub, but this was not their best effort, despite it being a single and all.

]]> By: sharvey http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/05/05/the-overunder-the-clash/comment-page-1/#comment-6921 sharvey Sat, 23 May 2009 21:40:32 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=26578#comment-6921 "“The Magnificent Seven” plays a historical role as the first recorded example of a white rock band writing/performing in the hip-hop genre" Apparently you've never heard Guns of Brixton. Geez. The first half of this is so amateurish, I'm not even going to read the rest. ““The Magnificent Seven” plays a historical role as the first recorded example of a white rock band writing/performing in the hip-hop genre”

Apparently you’ve never heard Guns of Brixton. Geez. The first half of this is so amateurish, I’m not even going to read the rest.

]]> By: BugsMeany http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/05/05/the-overunder-the-clash/comment-page-1/#comment-6369 BugsMeany Mon, 18 May 2009 03:58:08 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=26578#comment-6369 I think you guys nailed the Underrated section, 5 out of 5 great picks. I'm just a little disappointed by the implication that "Death or Glory" isn't everyone else's favorite Clash song too. I think you guys nailed the Underrated section, 5 out of 5 great picks. I’m just a little disappointed by the implication that “Death or Glory” isn’t everyone else’s favorite Clash song too.

]]> By: BR http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/05/05/the-overunder-the-clash/comment-page-1/#comment-5800 BR Mon, 11 May 2009 19:37:25 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=26578#comment-5800 if I am a casual Clash fan but my two favourite songs of theirs are "Straight to Hell" and "Janie Jones"...then they are not under-rated. if I am a casual Clash fan but my two favourite songs of theirs are “Straight to Hell” and “Janie Jones”…then they are not under-rated.

]]> By: Glenn Boothe http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/05/05/the-overunder-the-clash/comment-page-1/#comment-5533 Glenn Boothe Thu, 07 May 2009 23:07:55 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=26578#comment-5533 "Death is a Star" - caught that as soon as I hit post comment. “Death is a Star” – caught that as soon as I hit post comment.

]]> By: Glenn Boothe http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/05/05/the-overunder-the-clash/comment-page-1/#comment-5532 Glenn Boothe Thu, 07 May 2009 23:06:59 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=26578#comment-5532 JJ, yes, Sandinista is Top 5 all-time for me as well...and agree, still sounds great today! I also agree with your take on 'Straight to Hell' - beyond all the accolades it's gotten over the years, it's the foundation for M.I.A. "Paper Planes." That alone suggests it might not be quite that under-rated. I'd go with 'Death of a Star" or maybe "Overpowered by Funk" from that album. JJ, yes, Sandinista is Top 5 all-time for me as well…and agree, still sounds great today! I also agree with your take on ‘Straight to Hell’ – beyond all the accolades it’s gotten over the years, it’s the foundation for M.I.A. “Paper Planes.” That alone suggests it might not be quite that under-rated. I’d go with ‘Death of a Star” or maybe “Overpowered by Funk” from that album.

]]> By: Jersey Joannie http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/05/05/the-overunder-the-clash/comment-page-1/#comment-5458 Jersey Joannie Wed, 06 May 2009 23:18:23 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=26578#comment-5458 To Sarge and Glenn Boothe: YOU NAILED IT!!! I agree with you both; kudos for standing up for Sanidnista! It's not only my favorite Clash album, it's definitely one of my top 5 albums of all time. I cannot put it briefly into words any better than you 2 did. This list is RIDICULOUS!!! (And not in a good way.) How could you possibly call English Civil War overrated? Have you actually listened to the song with an open mind? Or are you letting your son sing The Ants Go Marching over the top of it? This song gets better every time I listen to it!!! And have you heard the live version from the Shea Stadium cd? Check it out and THEN tell me it sounds "average" and "mainstream"! Bollocks I say! And as much as I love "Straight to Hell", and agree that is one of Joe's lyrical masterpieces; I find it laughable that it's on an underrated list when it is so clearly not. Every book, about Joe/Clash, every article, every review of Combat Rock has touted this song as genius. I'm disgusted! I am always thrilled when I see The Clash get print, but not like this. To Sarge and Glenn Boothe: YOU NAILED IT!!! I agree with you both; kudos for standing up for Sanidnista! It’s not only my favorite Clash album, it’s definitely one of my top 5 albums of all time. I cannot put it briefly into words any better than you 2 did.
This list is RIDICULOUS!!! (And not in a good way.)
How could you possibly call English Civil War overrated? Have you actually listened to the song with an open mind? Or are you letting your son sing The Ants Go Marching over the top of it? This song gets better every time I listen to it!!! And have you heard the live version from the Shea Stadium cd? Check it out and THEN tell me it sounds “average” and “mainstream”! Bollocks I say!
And as much as I love “Straight to Hell”, and agree that is one of Joe’s lyrical masterpieces; I find it laughable that it’s on an underrated list when it is so clearly not. Every book, about Joe/Clash, every article, every review of Combat Rock has touted this song as genius.
I’m disgusted! I am always thrilled when I see The Clash get print, but not like this.

]]> By: Glenn Boothe http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/05/05/the-overunder-the-clash/comment-page-1/#comment-5443 Glenn Boothe Wed, 06 May 2009 18:48:27 +0000 http://www.magnetmagazine.com/?p=26578#comment-5443 Sure, Sandinista seems messy with the inclusion of more genres of music than you can find on your entire radio dial, but it's actually my favorite Clash album for that very reason. You could do an entire under-rated list of songs from that album (starting with Rebel Waltz!) I will admit that "Police on My Back" was the Clash song I took to most when I first bought that album but I've longed moved on to the buffet platter of amazing songs that album has to offer. Sure, Sandinista seems messy with the inclusion of more genres of music than you can find on your entire radio dial, but it’s actually my favorite Clash album for that very reason. You could do an entire under-rated list of songs from that album (starting with Rebel Waltz!) I will admit that “Police on My Back” was the Clash song I took to most when I first bought that album but I’ve longed moved on to the buffet platter of amazing songs that album has to offer.

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