What’s Spinning This Week At The Water Tower HQ

Published September 17, 2007

By Anya Brodrick

Okay, so you probably ‘discovered’ this album in high school, but the only difference now is you know everyone else has heard it, and you can’t pretend otherwise. London Calling was my introduction to punk music of the late 70s/early ‘80s, the “classic punk” scene. I thought to be the purest and, in turn, best. I’m not quite sure how I got my eighth grade-hands on this album; it was probably looking through my dad’s huge box of CD’s and being immediately drawn to the pink and green block letters.

Listening to The Clash is delightfully rebellious; you can feel their dissent, but it still is incredibly easy and enjoyable to listen to. I put this album on when I need to get energized; it’s perfect to get ready for class, especially if you can sing along and look in the mirror while doing so (I know for a fact I’m not the only one who does this). If I hear a song from this album (say “Jimmy Jazz” or “Lost in the Supermarket,” my all time favorite) at a party, I immediately feel an affinity for whomever is in control of the music. Track after track, which almost routinely alternates punk with reggae with straight rock, London Calling is basically flawless. I think this album is ultimate proof that one band can churn out a successful variety of sounds within numerous genres and also be widely liked, even 28 years after it was released.

Even though a handful of friends will give me a lot of guff for choosing this album I know they’re lying if they say they have absolutely no like for this album or any history at all with it. An album that can simultaneously get your aggressions out, make you feel good and possibly impress that certain someone is a good album to have around during these music-filled four years.

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