Sandinista! [CD]

Well, here it is. The album that divided the Clash audience. 2 hours 25 minutes of everything! I have played this record over and over more than any other and it still never fails to entertain. Even the so called 'filler' tracks have crept into my heart over the years.It embraces rap,soul,rockabilly,reggae,dub,gospel,jazz and theres even the odd punk tune thrown in.
OK,there are some mistakes - "Ivan Meets G.I. Joes'" childish chorus hasn't improved with age, is it imperative that Joe Strummer's old busking buddy Tymon Dogg really sing and play shrieking violin on "Lose That Skin"?, and why sequence the album so that so many down-tempo things show up at the end?
But maybe thats why its all the more endearing. As far as musical exprimentation goes this makes Radioheads 'Kid A' look like a walk in the park.I would strongly recommend this even if you aint a Clash fan,just as long as your a music fan.

In my youth I was a big time Clash fan - my memories of them as a live band are still vivid, they had an energy and commitment that I had not before seen, nor have I seen since.

Sandinista was not well received on release - it wasn't punk, it was too long, and people wanted another London Calling, not a near psychadelic dubbed up triple album that mixed everything from the (then) brand new sound of New York rappers, through to a kiddies version of Career Opportunities.

I loved it and its unique sound, played it to death for several years, and then put it away, and haven't listened to it again until the last few weeks. After hearing of the death of Joe Strummer just before Xmas I had to hear this again and re-bought all the missing Clash LPs on CD. I have to say that this record will blow you away. Hearing it again now I have so much admiration for the band that could even try an album like this, even when it doesn't quite work (which is often) their ambition and musical ability shine through. If you have never heard this record buy it, but keep your ears and opinions open, and it will reward you for the effort.

If you want a Clash album to be noisy and fast then this will not appeal on first listen, but it is an album that certainly deserves a second, third, ..... ninety-ninth listen (or how ever many listens it takes to appreciate just what an insanely wonderful piece of work this really is).

When it was originally relased, it was hated by many fans and critics alike, only reaching number 19 in the UK top-twenty. BUT, I believe this is arguably their greatest masterpiece...

We all know that London Calling was "the best album of the eighties" (according to Rolling Stone magazine) and that Combat Rock was their million seller, but it was Sandinista that had much of the most exciting lyrics and music from their post-punk era. There are so many different styles, so many great tunes and so many amazing songs on this album that had it been released as a single LP with just the best 12 tracks then Rolling Stone magazine would have had to call it "the best album of the century". Below I have listed the 12 tracks that would have IMHO, quite probably, made up the best album ever released.

-------------------

THE VERY GOOD: (the 12 tracks that should have formed a single album)

01. WASHINGTON BULLETS

Best Clash lyrics ever. This should have been a single. Absolute classic.

02. CHARLIE DON'T SURF

Stunning anti-war song, with slightly disturbing lyrics. Beautiful guitar. Another classic.

03. SOMEBODY GOT MURDERED

Another great song, and one that should have been a single. Sung my Mick.

04. THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

Probably the best-known track on the album, being the most successful of the three singles released from it. Over five minutes of Joe's attempt at rap. Good lyrics and very catchy song.

05. UP IN HEAVEN (NOT ONLY HERE)

This track tends to not get the attention it deserves. OK, it is a cover, but such hypnotic guitar work from Mick. Mainly sung by Mick.

06. POLICE ON MY BACK

The closest we get on this album to their early punk sound. Another cover and a little reminiscent of "I Fougth The Law". Another song sung by Mick.

07. LET'S GO CRAZY

The ultimate party song, but with lyrics that touch on violence and rioting.

08. ONE MORE TIME

A reggae masterpiece. The Clash always did reggae well, but this was up there with their best.

09. HITSVILLE UK

Sung mainly by Mick's girlfriend of the time. Failed completely when released as a single, since it sounds nothing like you'd expect a Clash song to sound. Even so, after accepting that it is a throwaway pop-song, it should be noted that it is a very good pop-song with some amusing lyrics.

10. THE CALL UP

First single released from the album, only reaching number 40 in the UK charts. The message in the song is a good one, about refusing the call up to go to war, and the tune pleasant enough, but probably better as a good album track than as the debut single from the album.

11. MIDNIGHT LOG

This weakest of my 12 choices. There are 4 other songs that are all good (in their own way), but I chose this over "IVAN MEETS G.I.JOE" (too over-produced), "THE SOUND OF SINNERS" (great song, but I am not a fan of gospel), "LIGHTNING STIKES" (too much the poor cousin of MAGNIFICENT SEVEN) and "VERSION CITY" (a great song, but it never really gets going).

12. SOMETHING ABOUT ENGLAND

Not the strongest of the 12 songs, but a great song to end any collection. Both Joe and Mick do vocals.

=====

Add to the above mentioned 16 songs "THE STREET PARADE" and "JUNCO PARDNER", and you could argue that half of the 36 tracks were good. Any album that can boast 18 good tracks must be a "must have" for any serious music fan.

--------------------

THE BAD:

36 tracks is too many, and this album has more than its share of fillers or failures. I can't imagine anyone could listen to this album without hitting the skip button on at least a third of the tracks. Watch out especially for tracks sung by children (or one sung by Paul Simonon). The child-sung remake of "Career opportunities" will make anyone who loved the original version cringe.

-----------------

MY GRUMBLE:

Why was their cover version of "Louie Louie" not included? It was recorded for inclusion on the album, and sounded really gritty and good. I cannot understand why some of the fillers were put on the album at the expense of their brilliant cover of "Louie Louie". I can only guess that their version of "Louie Louie" was too punk to fit in with the direction they were taking the album.

Without a doubt, "LOUIE LOUIE" would have been in my selection of 12 tracks for a single LP release (instead of MIDNIGHT LOG).