Cut The Crap [Original recording remastered]

This isn't underrated at all. It really IS that poor!!!

The Clash would never EVER work without Jones and Headon, and this proves it. Bernie Rhodes got involved with making it, making it even worse....

There is genuinely only one song worth having on this album. That is "This is England". That is available on "The Essential Clash" (It hasn't appeared on any other Clash compilations because Mick was involved inmaking them for one, and for two, because the Clash that realeased this weren't considered to be THE Clash as such) The rest should have followed the albums title and been removed.

Looking back, Joe said that he hated this album, and sacking Topper was the beginning of the end. By the time this came out, the clash were long dead.

Three long years after the Clash's last appearance, an album that could be perceived as a worst case scenario Clash album was released. It pretty much is a worst case scenario, anyone who's taken any interest in the group would have realised that Mick Jones' song writing and Topper Headon's drumming made everything possible, sure Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon had tastes and ideas as diverse, but with 'Cut the Crap' as evidence they couldn't put them into practice.

First, the worst things. It's one of the most horribly produced albums I've ever heard. The tuneless guitars squeak and squeal, the slap funk bass seems to be from totally different take. The drums are awful, utilising a cheap drum machine in the nastiest sense. The Clash's forays into to dance were always fun because of the Topper's soulful funky drumming. Drum machines just don't sit right, especially ones that are programmed to be as moronic as these - even Carter USM applied them better. Joe, as ever sings it and tells it well, but the backing vocals/chants drown him out, add to that some terrible keyboards which are lame when compared to 'Overpowered By Funk' from 'Combat Rock'. But what's worst of all is that this is the Clash. On Cut the Crap they seem to set out that they can't do punk ('Dirty Punk', 'Life is Wild'), rock ('Cool under Heat', 'Fingerpoppin''), or experiment ('Dictator', 'Play to Win'). It's sad when the 'same band' gave us so many memorable songs across so many genres.

Second, the better moments. 'This is England' may be a second rate 'Straight to Hell', but its a gutsy, messy song that hits the mark, mainly down to its stripped production and a great Strummer lyric. 'We Are The Clash' has moments of greatness, a guitar part that sounds straight from off of 'Give 'Em Enough Rope' (until the hideous solo appears) and a ramshackle rock 'n' roll confidence to it. 'Are You Red..Y' isn't all bad, its totally over-cooked, but enjoyable. 'Three Card Trick' is the furthest the album goes from punk, and is a sort of mangled 'Rock the Casbah'. Its bouncy and funky, and the shame is that of all the songs it is the one I think could have been a classic had the original line recorded it, or at least Topper on drums.

Overall many of these songs have potential (maybe there are some demos out there for someone to dig up) but it is a poor second-rate album from a poor second-rate Clash. I love the Clash and its sad to see it end like this, but thankfully Joe redeemed himself with the Mescaleros, and Mick has given us some great stuff (admittedly not all of it) with Big Audio Dynamite. Big Audio Dynamite's second album 'No.10 Upping Street' makes for a better Clash swansong to try. Joe writes half of it co-produces it with Mick, while dated, its certainly competent, for starters.

......were the last words of Ned Kelly, the Australian folk legend outlaw as the noose was pulled around his neck on the gallows. A similar expression of the acceptance of the inevitable surely must be applied to the sixth and final album by the British punk rock band The Clash released in 1985.

There had been a progressive build up of bad feelings within the band, and very poor communications between the guys which led to this album being recorded under a great deal of tension and bitterness, hardly the ideal circumstances for the expression of artistic output, and indeed this was shown to be the case. "Cut The Crap" was going to originally called "Out Of Control", which was a far more accurate commentary of the state of the band at the time of the recordings. The Clash disbanded in a tsunami of acrimony in 1986.

I am not alone in nominating "Cut The Crap" as the band's weakest album, which is not really surprising considering the tumult surrounding its recording, but having said that it does have the occasional reminder of The Clash's talent and huge contribution to the UK and USA music scene. Their third album "London Calling" had a big critical success in the United States, and 'Rolling Stone' declared it a decade later as the best album of the 80's. Their politicized lyrics, musical experimentation and rebellious attitude had a far reaching effect on rock and alternative rock in particular, leading to the band being widely referred to as "The Only Band That Matters".

And the glimpses of their old selves? Certainly "This Is England" set against the backdrop of the turmoil emanating from Mrs Thatchers draconian policies, "Life is Wild", and the 'anthemesque-join-in-the-chorus', "We Are The Clash", and perhaps "Cool Under Heat".

If this album is your first and only exposure to The Clash, do not let it permanently put you off this band, go out and buy one of their earlier albums such as "London Calling" or their first album "The Clash".