The Clash's 'London Calling': overused advertising slogan or definition of an era?

Although The Clash's 'London Calling' is forever being overused as an advertising slogans, keen to get tourists into London (which is the opposite to what the song is actually preaching) I have to argue that it is on the list of songs that defined an era, an era that was full of uncertainty and collective depression. This song will forever go down in Punk history as it contains everything a punk song should have; raw energy, crackling vocals, a message of impending doom and the dismissal of society as 'phoney' (phoney Beatlemania has bitten the dust).

The ominous beat of the drums in the intro tells us that this song is a warning; a prophecy of nuclear disaster accompanied by the wailing warning sirens. Joe Strummer's husky, masculine vocals then suddenly explode into his tale of dystopia as he tells us that the positive ideology of the 1960s has gone for good.  London Calling is THE anthem of the 1970s, summing up the fear of nuclear technology and the decay of society. In fact, it would have been the ideal soundtrack to the government issued 'protect and survive' instruction videos as they are both acceptance of the grim situation. Strummer is preparing us for battle, telling us that the dream is over and we have to 'come out of the cupboard' to face the apocalypse. He isn't scared of London drowning and he lives by the river. 

The ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in....

Following the second chorus, Strummer caws like a bird of prey circling the city. Such a raw expression of anger and frustration that was felt by many in a time of mass strikes and unemployment before he assures us that we cannot tell anything new as he was there too. London Calling is still today a punk classic which gets pulses racing and as far of prophecies of doom go, this is my favourite.

.....and then 3 come along at once!

They say all good things come in threes and today certainly has followed that rule for me, so in no particular order here's what has made my day;

1] With the current fashion of nostalgia in the music world box sets are being released everywhere we look. However I was very excited to find out that The Clash are releasing a box set in the shape of a boombox (well, at least that's new!) which will feature the remastered versions of their first five albums and tapes from Mick Jones. In addition to this the box set will also include a DVD of  previously unseen footage.
Another jump on the remastering albums bandwagon for easy money? Perhaps!
Will I be caving into this blatant act of consumer exploitation? Shamefully yes!

2] I wrote an article a while back on the Manchester indie band Bauer with a review on their album 'Sleeping Giant'. As most of you know I always route for the physical release of albums and after pestering Bauer for a while, they announced on Twitter today that the physical copy of 'Sleeping Giant' will be out Monday, available from Townsend Records online.

3] One of my close friends (the fashion guru Becky Ferris)  is completely smitten with 'The Great Gatsby' and has been waxing lyrical about all things Gatsby for weeks now. So on her recommendation I gave the soundtrack a listen to. But while she so enamored with Lana Del Rey, she forgot to tell me that Jack White features also! 'Love is Blindness' is what Jack White does best, sexy moodiness which bursts at the seams with epic guitar lines. A track I could certainly listen to for hours on end.

I'm so content with all the above that I almost forgot I have a 3 hour exam tomorrow.....

This post is dedicated to all the dog tired, punk/indie/guitar loving students out there desperately attempting to reach their essay word limit while the outside world goes by in a sunny haze. If you, like me, are looking everywhere for an ounce of motivation while you're glued to your laptop and books, then fear no more. For I have carried out an experiment today in your name where I was seeking the perfect album playlist to motivate you through the long hours.

I started with THE CLASH - THE SINGLES (running time approx 63.89)

The opening tracks will explode you into a state of bewildered awareness as Joe Strummer caws his way through London Calling, infects you with his Duracell bunny energy with Rock The Casbah and stamps his feet through Should I Stay or Should I Go? However by the time you reach The Magnificent Seven with its whole 'white working class man smoking a spliff' vibe you will be bobbing along to the reggae beat as you plough your way through your work. But don't worry as White Riot may shock you back into alertness should you start drifting away.  

Next up was the MANIC STREET PREACHERS - GENERATION TERRORISTS

This album will certainly be an inspiration to any student studying a course of a creative nature as we are told to 'regard all art critics as useless and dangerous' (quote taken from the Futurists' Manifesto). But before you begin, make yourself a coffee, take a moment to ponder on where on earth Richey could be right now, press play and get back to your essay. The teasing guitar work to Slash n' Burn will encourage you to Slash n' Burn through your workload and as we reach Natwest-Barclays-Midlands-Lloyds you can shout along which will relieve you from all that frustration that Student Finance inevitably brings. Repeat (stars and stripes) is certainly not for Royal family lovers (but if you love the Queen then why are you even a Manics' fan anyway dumbass?) but singing along to this punchy tune will make you feel naughty and rebellious, thus relieving any stress at being so tied to an institution such as University. Although depending on how you are getting along with University, I would avoid Theme from M*A*S*H (suicide is painless) should you be feeling really depressed.

Third on the list was JACK WHITE - BLUNDERBUSS

By this point, depending on your concentration levels you may be procrastinating quite heavily. Although Sixteen Saltines is quite a heavy, shout along track, Blunderbuss should begin relieving you off stress with the lyrically violent but still quite calming Love Interruption. By the time that White's cover of I'm Shakin makes an appearance, let off some steam by shimmying your booty around the room. Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy is also a nice little track to hum along to as you polish of your paragraphs.

If you're not yet in an essay coma, next is THE STONE ROSES - SECOND COMING

If you've made your way through all the previous albums and you've made it this far, you must be feeling pretty sleepy by now. Fear not, the Second Coming will ease you through with the epic intro to Breaking into Heaven giving you a reason to carry on living. Tracks such as Ten Storey Love Song and Straight to the Man are gentle on the ears and head. Begging You however will remind you that you are on a very important mission and will get your heart pounding along to the amazing bass line more then a Red Bull could ever achieve.

If you've made you're way through all these albums and are still tapping away at the keyboard, then for the love of God - GO TO SLEEP! This is my final few months at university and there are many more out there who are in the same position as I, wishing there were more hours in the day to reach those dreaded deadlines. I hope this album playlist will get you through those endless days and nights which are ironically too short.