GIVE 'EM ENOUGH ROPE

A must for Clash fans.

Answer: Break up if you are The Sex Pistols; but if you are The Clash you go on to produce arguably punk rock's best "difficult second" album.Now admittedly the field of punk bands' second albums, let alone good second albums is pretty limited, but even so "Give 'em Enough Rope" is a strong contender for the title of punk rock's best "difficult second" album with its excellent singles "Tommy Gun" and "English Civil War" as well as the superb "Safe European Homes" and the sublime "Julie's Been Working For The Drug Squad". OK so it's only 10 tracks long, but this was from a time when album length was limited by vinyl capacity and all bands knew that their best policy was to leave you wanting more (this was before The Clash sacrificed quality control for length with the over long "London Calling" and even longer "Sandinista" albums), and yes the production is poor with the Strummer's vocals too low in the mix, and yes they were tipping their hats to the American market with a harder rock feel; but this is still a strong set of songs from one of the few bands that was keeping the original flame of punk burning.Buy it you already own The Clash's eponymous debut and want to hear more punk rock from them before they came over all reggae, rockabilly, ska, New Orleans, pop, and jazzy.

Great album

Over produced but have some great tracks.

Always my favourite Clash album, the current vinyl version sounds superb. I played my original from 1978 and then the new one - there is little comparison as the new version sounds so much better (to my ears).

Great quality re-press of a classic album.

A favourite since it was released in 1978. This copy is in great condition and plays well.

For me, the best Clash LP. Great to have it on vinyl again.