The Clash

The Clash began with the concentrated guitar attack and social frustration of British punk, while an early reggae interpretation already suggested a broader musical curiosity. Give ’Em Enough Rope changes the scale of the recording sound; London Calling then opens the arrangements to roots rock, ska, rhythm and blues and other styles. Sandinista! extends that range through dub, rap and a much longer, more exploratory sequence. Combat Rock brings diverse interests into a tighter album, before Cut the Crap introduces a substantially changed lineup. Comparing these records means weighing immediacy against exploration, and individual songs against the flow of a complete release. Changes in production and personnel also make the catalog more varied than its earliest punk image suggests.