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Rating: WARNING: To avoid misunderstandings, I want to clarify that this review does not refer to the compilation "Super Black Market Clash," but to the original extended-play edition released in 1980.
The Clash is often seen as the classic "dirty and rude" punks (too disrespectful for them), or as refined minds of sound and experimentalism (oh, please!!). In reality, we are talking about four guys full of energy and creativity who have always sought to break free from the reputation of mere provocateurs, demonstrating to the whole world the versatility of their music (and thus their superiority over the Sex Pistols). A bit snubbed and a bit overrated, the Clash was one of the most important bands of the punk era; unfortunately, they haven't always shown us the simplest and most spontaneous side of their art (just think of the ambitious sounds of "London Calling" and "Sandinista," versus the essentiality of the great debut album). "Black Market Clash" (which I discovered rummaging through my uncle's 10-inch records) is a very interesting collection of songs recorded between 1977 and 1980, unique in its own simplicity and independence from the musical trends of the time. The only musical influences present in the tracks (namely punk and reggae) are the original strains of the Clash's musical culture: free from the horns of "London Calling" and the relative pretentiousness of "Sandinista," the sound is bare, the arrangement is essential, there is nothing (except in particular cases) beyond the guitars, bass, and drums.
The energy of "Clash City Rockers" is found in the explosive "Capital Radio One"; Strummer's shout, the incisiveness of Jones once again create the typical Clash sound. On one hand, we have the old Joe barking at the world, on the other, Mick offers us delicate/distorted melodies in late '70s style (the splendid "The Prisoner" recalls the unforgettable "Remote Control"). "Pressure Drop" is yet another tribute by the band to the ska movement. The frenzy of "Cheat" and "City Of The Dead", the delicacy of "Time Is Tight" close the first side. Side 2 is pure reggae: the long medleys of "Bankrobber/Robber Dub" and "Justice/Kick It Over" and "Armagideon Time" display one of the most genuine sides of their music.
Although the group's more "sophisticated" albums are also the best works, "Black Market Clash" remains half fundamental in their career, the other half a mere curiosity.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 The Prisoner (03:01)
The prisoner meets the muppet hi-fi
North of watford junction
We get in but we don't have fun
An' we leave before the truncheons
So it's back to watch the day to day
Saga of working people
Hanging out the washing and clipping coupons
And generally being decent
Johnny too bad meets johnny be good
In the charing cross road
That's the only thing that happened today
Says the west end jungle code
And all the germans and all the french
Jam themselves down the tube
And re-enact the second world war
While the rude boys get rude!
And i look to my left
And i look to my right
And i'm looking for a man
I'm looking for a sign
I don't wanna be the prisoner
The prisoner lives in camden town
Selling revolution
The prisoner loads his tracking arm up
With self-disillusion
Your mother does the washing up
Your old man digs the garden
You're only free to dodge the cops
An' bunk the train to stardom
03 Pressure Drop (03:30)
It is you, oh yeah
It is you, oh yeah
I said a pressure drop,
Oh pressure, oh yeah
Pressure's gonna drop on you
I said pressure drop
Oh pressure, oh yeah
Pressure's gonna drop on you
I said when it drops
Oh you gonna feel it
Oh that you were doin' it wrong, wrong, wrong
Now when it drops
Oh you gonna feel it
That you were doin' it wrong and how
I said when it drops
You gonna feel it
That you've been doin' it wrong
Now when it drops, drop
You gonna feel it
That you've been doin' wrong
Now when it drops, drop
Feel it
You make the wrong move
Now when it drops, drop
You gonna feel it
That you've been it doin' wrong
I said, pressure drop
Oh pressure, oh yeah
Pressure's gonna drop on you
Pressure drop
Oh pressure, oh yeah
Pressure's gonna drop on you
Now when it drops on your dirty little head
Where you gonna go?
It's you, you, you
When it drop on, oh you're gonna feel it
What you're doing is wrong, wrong, wrong
Pressure, pressure, pressure, pressure...
I said a pressure drop
04 Cheat (02:06)
I get violent when I'm fucked up
I get silent when I'm drugged up
Want excitement
[I] Don't get none
I go wild
I don't know
What can be done about
If you play the game
And you get nothing out of it
Find out for yourself
Screw being goody-goody
You better
Cheat cheat
No reason to play fair
Cheat cheat
Or don't get anywhere
Cheat cheat
If you can't win
Nobody knows
What they are doing
Beyond your control
Finding life's a ruin
If you want to survive
You better learn how to lie
You better
Cheat cheat
No reason to play fair
Cheat cheat
Or don't get anywhere
Cheat cheat
If you can't win
Don't use the rules
There not for you
There for the fools
And you're a fool
If you don't know that
Use the rules you stupid fools
08 Armagideon Time (03:52)
(W. Williams/J. Mitoo)
I stayed around don’t played around
This old town too long
Seems like I got to… travel on!
A lotta people won’t get no supper tonight
A lotta people won’t get no justice tonight
The battle is getting harder
In this iration, Armagieon time
A lotta people running and hiding tonight-ah!
A lotta people won’t get no justice tonight
Remember to kick it over
No one will guide you – Armagideon time
Oooh-oooh-ooh-ooh
Ooooh-oh-oh
Oh
This ol’ town!
Ivan and Fu-Manchu
They both are coming through, yeah
Yay
A lotta people &%*%*&*%*$&%*
A lotta people &^&^^&^*%&£^£*
Oh remember to kick to it over
No one will guide you, through Armagideon time
It’s Armagideon
It’s not Christmas time anymore it’s Armagideon
A lotta people
- All right, time’s up, let’s have you out of here –
Okay, okay, don’t push us when were hot!
A lotta people wont’ get not a-justice tonight
A lotta people sitting down, by the light – ah!
A lotta people a-wont get no a-supper tonight
A lotta people a-wont get no a-justice tonight
Remember, a-kick it over
No one will guide you through armagideon time
Armagideon
*Intentional gibberish features in some Clash ad-libs, including Complete Control and The Right Profile, this is a case of it*
09 Justice Tonight / Kick It Over (07:00)
Stay around don't play around
This old town and all
Seems like i got to travel on
A lot of people won't get no supper tonight
Justice tonight
Runnin and a hiding tonight
Justice tonight
Remember to kick it over
No one will guide you through armegideon time
It's armagideon
It's not christmas time
A lot of people
A lot of people use a calculator
A lot of people won't get no supper tonight
A lot of people sittin' down by the light
The battle is gettin hotter
Armagideon time
Armagideon
Remember to kick it over
Armagideon time
A lot of people ain't got no supper tonight
A lot of people got to stand out back
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By claudio carpentieri
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