Compilations... The thought alone triggers a grimace upon my face. The only reason these things are made from the beginning is to garner more dough from money-hungry executives. Hell, Guns n' Roses released a Greatest Hits album not too long ago just to try and pay off some of the money they owed Geffen Records. So I figured that when The Clash had a compilation coming out a couple years ago that it would suck because 1)More than likely, I'd have heard it all before, 2)Again, it's a compilation album and 3)Several of the bands best songs would likely be neglected in the end. When it came down to it, I was more correct than I would have liked to be.
Should I stay or should I go now?/
Should I stay or should I go now?/
If I go there will be trouble/
An' if I stay it will be double/
So come on and let me know/
Should I stay or should I go?
The Essential Clash is a two disc set, with fourty of the bands most well known songs. The songs span throughout the guys' career, from their self-titled effort to the lackluster Cut The Crap that eventually proved the downfall of the band. Because I'm such a fan of The Clash, however, I felt more than obligated to at least check the record out. In doing so, I was kind of let down. Everything on the album is stuff that I already know. Seven of the songs, nearly half of the second disc, are songs that just about every casual listener of The Clash will know - - they are all from London Calling. So with this in mind, it's already half pointless wanting to purchase this. HOWEVER, for new fans of The Clash, I could definitely seeing someone enjoying what is to be heard. On the other hand, this is from my point of view and not a newcomers.
Yankee detectives/
Are always on the TV/
'Cos killers in America/
Work seven days a week
Never mind the stars and stripes/
Let's print the Watergate Tapes/
I'll salute the New Wave/
And I hope nobody escapes/
I'm so bored with the USA/
But what can I do?
One thing that I can't complain about on The Essential Clash, though, is the packaging. It is no cheap affair by any means. Then again, that also brings me to the cost. I believe I paid around twenty five dollars, which is ridiculous. I would have been better off just buying another Clash compilation album, or even pulling out all my Clash CD's and forming my own "Best Of" burned disc.
The ice age is coming/
the sun is zooming in/
Engines stop running/
and the wheat is growing thin/
A nuclear error/
but I have no fear/
London is drowning-and I/ live by the river
Overall I would not recommend die-hard or maybe even casual Clash fans to buy this. If you're new to the group, you would be better off buying either another compilation.
