Steve Genge

The Clash's defining moment and the bridge between their punk origins and the eclectic sounds that would dominate their final two albums (Cut The Crap doesn't count). This album quite simply is one of, and in my opinion is the, greatest rock album of all time. From the opening chords of the title track to the last, recorded too late to be on the original sleeve, notes of Mick Jone's Train in Vain the album takes you on a expansive journey mixing the then more familiar Clash guitar sound with ska, lovers rock and acoustic guitars of Spanish Bombs. Lyrical themes included urban psychosis (Lost In The Supermarket), the ever present specter of racism (Working For The Clampdown) and the tension of inner city London at the time (the reggae sounds of Guns Of Brixton). Released as a double album, at the band's insistence single album price the album was also their breakthrough in the US, leading to the major influence the country had on their remaining releases.