London Calling [25th Anniversary Legacy Edition]
by The Clash
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Sep 21, 2004
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 200 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 180 out of 200
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 200
  3. Negative: 16 out of 200

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  1. Livy
    Nov 16, 2010
    10
    A true masterpiece by a great band working at its creative peak, which stands among the best rock albums of all time. It is possibly the greatest of them all. I believe it is. It is really not a true punk album, but a rock album laced with a good deal of reggae, country, pop, jazz, soul, rockability, and yes, punk. There is not one bad track on the album, which is rare, particularlyA true masterpiece by a great band working at its creative peak, which stands among the best rock albums of all time. It is possibly the greatest of them all. I believe it is. It is really not a true punk album, but a rock album laced with a good deal of reggae, country, pop, jazz, soul, rockability, and yes, punk. There is not one bad track on the album, which is rare, particularly for a double album.… Expand
  2. kylel515
    Nov 18, 2013
    10
    This album is just incredible. What's great is that The Card Cheat, not London Calling, is the best song. Each song is so unique that it feels like a different band could've written each one. It suits any mood and it shows just what kind of talent the Clash had. It is more than rock n' roll and is phenomenal. Everyone needs to listen to it.
  3. davim
    Oct 23, 2014
    10
    Pure genius. After the first two albums being solid in your face punk rock, this album explores a range of genres and instrumentation. At the core, there's still the punk songs 'London Calling', 'Death or Glory' and 'Clampdown'. Then there's the reggae/ska tracks 'Wrong Em' Boyo' and 'Revolution Rock'. With the piano based 'The Card Cheat' and the dub based 'Guns of Brixton' thrown inPure genius. After the first two albums being solid in your face punk rock, this album explores a range of genres and instrumentation. At the core, there's still the punk songs 'London Calling', 'Death or Glory' and 'Clampdown'. Then there's the reggae/ska tracks 'Wrong Em' Boyo' and 'Revolution Rock'. With the piano based 'The Card Cheat' and the dub based 'Guns of Brixton' thrown in there as well. A truly unique classic which will have an everlasting influential legacy.… Expand
  4. BryanS
    Jan 9, 2007
    10
    One of the best rock albums of all time. It also demonstrated how punk could deliver very powerful and meaningful messages.
  5. DanC
    Sep 23, 2004
    10
    In my top 10 of all time albums. The demos and DVD are great too.
  6. Matt
    Apr 27, 2007
    10
    The Perfect Album
  7. MurrayK
    Oct 1, 2004
    10
    THE best album of all time. Hands down!
  8. DocJ
    Dec 29, 2005
    10
    The Clash were one of the best bands in their era. This is a must have for any rock fan.
  9. RobW.
    Nov 24, 2004
    10
    Richard S- in future could you at least throw off the average for a really crap album...like the new used or simple plan CD's. This album is probably one of the greatest albums of all time. Today's so called punk bands should listen to it, then quit the music business in shame.
  10. EoinG
    Oct 8, 2004
    7
    Good album but overated. There are a few very skippble tracks on this (e.g "Lost in the Supermarket"), and this album would have been much better condensed to about 12 or 13 of the best songs.
  11. DouglasC
    Oct 2, 2004
    10
    One of the best rock and roll albums of all times....
  12. MusicMaven
    Oct 11, 2004
    10
    Absolutely a must-buy. Buy it now. Now.
  13. [Anonymous]
    Oct 14, 2005
    10
    Just listening to this recently, and I was amazed at the timeless greatness of this album. Through the dredge of shit that we have to put up with that is labelled at the heirs to the clash, such as babyshambles and the like, this album, although 25 years old, still sounds more modern than anything else being pushed by nme
  14. Pedro
    Jan 19, 2007
    10
    This album IS Rock'n'Roll. Listen to it, love it and live it.
  15. randys
    Nov 4, 2004
    10
    When I first saw these guys on SNL in '79, my so-called life suddenly snapped into focus. Whether singing about discontent across the pond or thrashing our beloved Ray-gun, everything they said hit home. Very little has changed in 25 years, and this album will resonate for many more decades.
  16. Farter
    Nov 29, 2004
    9
    Bunch of jerks 'round here.
  17. j30
    Sep 28, 2011
    10
    One of the best Rock records I have ever heard. Not just influential in punk rock, but for rock music in general. From the swooning (my favorite) 'Lost in the Supermarket', to the gangster ridden rap of 'The Guns of Brixton.' It's an album that builds from one song to another, making it feel neither dull or repetitive.
  18. Petrocelli
    Apr 4, 2015
    10
    I was in college when this album came out. It's hard to put in historical perspective, but this album changed music for the next couple decades. The scope of it is truly astounding. I would put this in my "top 10" all time best rock albums list. As an added, bonus, they were one of the best live bands ever. (I saw them 5 times.) Those were the days...
  19. knut
    Sep 23, 2004
    10
    best album ever
  20. johnp
    Oct 2, 2004
    10
    best album of all time
  21. Garry
    Dec 8, 2004
    9
    (Never gave it a 10 because it is possible something could be better.) London Calling was one of those albums that changed the way you think and feel. For me it became the benchmark for creativity and energy in music; it was a new sound. Actually it was a collection of old sounds that formed a new montage. It was brave and bold and bright and dark. It must be seen in the context of (Never gave it a 10 because it is possible something could be better.) London Calling was one of those albums that changed the way you think and feel. For me it became the benchmark for creativity and energy in music; it was a new sound. Actually it was a collection of old sounds that formed a new montage. It was brave and bold and bright and dark. It must be seen in the context of England in the 70's but is still relevant today. The orginal remains my favorite album of all times.… Expand
  22. shaftelMr
    Jan 3, 2007
    10
    Greatest rock album ever.
  23. dinamoz
    Mar 2, 2007
    10
    one of best albums of all time....very goood
  24. EwanK
    Sep 24, 2004
    10
    I think this one is maybe the best cd in the last 30 years. Better than any Sex Pistols album. If you don't have it, don't hesitate
  25. Ben
    Sep 29, 2004
    10
    I'm gonna be boring and give this a 10 as well. A life lived without hearing London Calling is a life all the poorer. On the Vanilla Tapes CD, check out the raucous instrumental version of 'Hateful' and the song 'Heart and Mind' - with a bit more work, that would have been a classic.
  26. michaelk
    May 1, 2005
    10
    this album changed my attitude towards music...a big turning point for me. the clash at their peak. it still sounds great but for it's time it was a sensation, especially coming from a musically underrated "punk band"
  27. mars88
    Apr 26, 2006
    9
    pretty awesome. there debut was more hard rocking then this one tho.
  28. JordanT
    Jan 15, 2007
    10
    Basically the best album ever.
  29. LawrenceP
    Sep 26, 2004
    10
    The best LP of the 70's and 80's. Anything less than a 10 rating would be a major crime.
  30. DonnyDon't
    Sep 29, 2004
    10
    Well... what can you say about the Clash which you haven't heard a hundred times before? From the opening impending doom of the title track, to the brilliant pop of Lost in the Supermarket, this is one of the best albums of all time, and rightfully given an expanded release. It certainly belongs upon everyone's shelf. And as far as a landmark goes in punk music, it's hard Well... what can you say about the Clash which you haven't heard a hundred times before? From the opening impending doom of the title track, to the brilliant pop of Lost in the Supermarket, this is one of the best albums of all time, and rightfully given an expanded release. It certainly belongs upon everyone's shelf. And as far as a landmark goes in punk music, it's hard to approach this... save for Nevermind the Bollucks and All Mod Cons (which probably belonged more to the mod revival). I don't know if the expanded release is worth it for fans who snapped up a previous copy... but for die hards? Why are you reading this when you should be buying it at your nearest retailer and thanking the clerk in fake-cockney accent?… Collapse
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
100

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Blender
    80
    The demo versions... sound like an incompetent Clash cover band rehearsing in a sock.... If you're considering buying this glorious record for the first time, save 20 bucks and go for the basic version. [Oct 2004, p.136]
  2. Rolling Stone
    100
    A serious, ridiculously ambitious punk album. [14 Oct 2004, p.100]
  3. Q Magazine
    100
    What burns from the music is The Clash's defining characteristic: the fact that they were insatiable omnivores. [Oct 2004, p.136]
See all critic reviews »