The Clash - Give 'Em Enough Rope

I was probably in a minority in thinking that "Give 'Em Enough Rope" was a better album that the first album by The Clash. Producer Sandy Pearlman received a lot of criticism for smoothing some of the raw edges and placing Joe Strummer's vocals lower in the mix so that a lot of the trademark anger and energy were reduced. Personally I thought it made for a better album to listen to, also helped by there being fewer songs so less dross had make it onto the track listing. Unfortunately, "White Man At The Hammersmith Palais", which was recorded during the same sessions and is perhaps my favourite Clash song of all time, was not included on the album as it has already been released as a single.

At the time I thought Side One was particularly strong, with the first three tracks retaining a lot of the expected rawness before the jaunty, melodic "Julie's Been Working For The Drug Squad" featuring, shock, horror, a piano ! However, the only song on Side Two that I really remembered was "Stay Free".

The opener "Safe European Home" is the best song on display here, starting with frantic guitars and a furious vocal, ending with ska beat and almost rap outro before the guitars and drums come crashing back in and then suddenly stop. Rush must have listened to this when recording "Spirit of Radio". Although The Clash were one of the major proponents in popularising reggae/ska in the late 70's leading to the emergence of The Specials, The Selector,  and various Two-Tone bands, the song describes the dangers they experienced during a visit to Jamaica, in a not too dissimilar fashion to 10CC's "Dreadlock Holiday". "I went to a place where every white face is an invitation to robbery". For all their willingness to be soulmates and brothers, The Clash decide they are safer off back home. I'm not sure what the reaction would be if it was written today !

Back home though they have the "English Civil War" to look forward to ! The song is a furious, punk reworking of the American Civil War song "When Johnny Comes Home" updated for England in the 1970s. "Tommy Gun" follows musically in a similar vein but deals with terrorism and hi-jacking of aircraft.

"Last Gang In Town" is a lively top-tapper at the same pace as "English Civil War" and "Tommy Gun" although with a slight hint of melancholy in the chorus and there is a yearning guitar solo.

Side Two rarely hits the same heights, with "Stay Free" still the highlight. A tender tale of Mick Jones looking back on his relationship with a schoolmate who has been jailed for an attempted bank robbery.

"Drug-Stabbing Time" is a routine roll and rock song and features some saxophone. "Cheapskates" is OK but "Guns On The Roof" is fairly forgettable.

The closer "All The Young Punks ( New Boots And Contracts )" is reminiscent of "Last Gang In Town", and there is a lovely guitar solo. Its a decent end to the record.

40 years on and "Give 'Em Enough Rope" has aged a lot better than "The Clash".

Track Listing :

1. Safe European Home
2. English Civil War
3. Tommy Gun
4. Julie's Been Working For The Drug Squad
5. The Last Gang In Town
6. Guns On The Roof
7. Drug Stabbing Time
8. Stay Free
9. Cheapskates
10 All The Young Punks ( New Boots And Contracts )

Released 1978
UK Chart Position : 2

Singles :

Tommy Gun ( No 19 1978 )
English Civil War ( No 25 1978 )