Give 'Em Enough Rope review

The second album from the British punk rock band The Clash. Expect more wonderfully raw, punchy instrumentals and angry, politicised lyrics about society.

Tracks:

1. Safe European Home: 9/10 there's no warning or build up. The heavy instrumental kicks in immediately and continues hitting the listener like a knuckleduster for nearly 4 glorious minutes. The song's message isn't clear, but the lyrics as usual are thought provoking and were written with care.

2. English Civil War: 9/10 with its hard hitting, enthusiastic instrumental and intelligent lyrics this is a typically awesome Clash song.

3. Tommy Gun: 8/10 it's still samey but it remains highly effective and both its intro and final verse are brilliant.

4. Julie's Been Working For the Drug Squad: 8/10 this track quietens down a bit to tell a very interesting story, and mostly it's very effective although occasionally you find yourself yearning for some of those explosive guitar chords.

5. Last Gang in Town: 7/10 an entertaining if overextended and somewhat simplistic rock song.

6. Guns on the Roof: 8/10 a gleefully unsubtle song with a powerful message.

7. Drug Stabbing Time: 7/10 it admittedly seems mediocre at times but it's speed and energy propels it to above average.

8. Stay Free: 8/10 this represents Clash storytelling at its strongest and even finishes with an awesome guitar solo.

9. Cheapskates: 9/10 more run of the mill Clash material, but since it's unexpectedly melancholic and has a lot of heart beneath all the noise, it stands out.

10. All the Young Punks (New Boots and Contracts): 7/10 it's skilled enough to get a pass, but it's uninteresting and a bit ugly.

Best song: Safe European Home
Worst song: Drug Stabbing Time


Summary: One thing that sets the Clash apart from other groups is how raw they sound. They don't sound as polished or as carefully rehearsed as other groups, which makes them relatable and ensures their music never sounds artificial or hollow. What sets them apart from other groups even more is, despite this rawness, how much art and soul they fit into all of their music, and how thought provoking and intelligent it actually is. They continue to show these qualities in their second album. It's not as good as The Clash and it's definitely not as good as London Calling and with it's slight lack of truly striking songs it slants towards a 7/10 rating. This is an entertaining album though, with plenty of edge, anger and enjoyable rock instrumentals. The songs feel samey, but they always find interesting ways to convey their messages.



Final rating: 8/10