Clash - Cut The Crap CD

 classic punk rock
Don't believe half of what you hear regarding this album. What this album possesess are 2 things that most bands lose when their initial fire dies out: 1) Great melodies (This Is England, North and South, Three Card Trick, Movers and Shakers) 2) Energy - The Clash sound fully charged on this album. Forget all the negative reviews associated with this release - this album has character, fire, strummer is in great voice and the songs rock with a passion. Great.
Submitted by steve (northampton, england)
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 Not The Best Effort
I understand that change is good, but I have to say, not in this case. The experience of listening to a Clash album, (especially in the later years), was enjoying an eclectic collection of songs. Even earlier albums, while most of the songs seemed to all have the same raw riffage, contained some eclecticism of their own. This one was sort of monotonous and not as creative as I have heard the Clash in the past. I am a huge Clash fan and I honestly listened to this one with an open mind. If you want a genuine Clash experience, I recommend any other Clash album except this one. My personal favorite is "London Calling," but any other Clash album except this one.
Submitted by Donna (South Bend, IN)
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 WOT IF THEY NEVER PUT IT OUT
DONT KNOCK IT ITS ONLY R AND R,THANX TO BERNIE 4 THE INPUT,THANX TO JOE RIP,AND PAUL`S BASS NUFF SAID,AND CHEERS TO THE OTHERS GUYS WHO WERE ALWAYS ON A HIDING 2 NUFFIN,THE ALBUM IS LIKE FINE WINE GETS BETTER WID AGE. NO IM NOT THE DICTATOR,I ERD A GANG CRY
Submitted by tonygillespie1966 (BRISTOL IN ENGLAND)
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 A Worthy Addition
Cut The Crap is by far the most maligned Clash album. Clash fans are usually quite divided on their opinion of this album: they either hate it or appreciate it for what it is. I fall into the latter category - I think Cut The Crap is actually a decent album that has gotten better with age. If you are looking for another London Calling, you can forget it. If you are looking for the final chapter in the magnificent story of the Clash, this is it. People who ignore this part of Clash history are only cheating themselves. After parting ways with Mick Jones and Topper Headon, the Great Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon forged ahead. Any Clash fan that has heard the Clash "Mark 2" live knows what greatness they were capable of. When it was time to record a studio album, Joe and Co. bewilderingly allowed their egomaniacal manager Bernie Rhodes to produce Cut The Crap. Intended to be a "back to the basics" album, Rhodes almost managed to completely mutilate it into a over synthesized, campfire singalong. Almost. There are actually quite a few Clash gems on here that deserve more recognition than they have gotten. Most of the songs are well written and energetically performed, albeit poorly produced and mixed. Songs such as "This Is England" "Three Card Trick" "Dictator" "Are You Red..y"," Dirty Punk" and "Three Card Trick" are standout songs on this album. Shortly after Cut The Crap was released, The Clash were no more. It is a tragedy that Sony does not remaster this album along with all the other Clash albums and include the two b-side gems that were the least Rhodes mutilated songs of the whole bunch: "Sex Mad Roar" and "Do It Now". Perhaps the tragic loss of Joe Strummer will provide the impetus for Sony to dig up the original master tapes and remix Cut The Crap and give it the justice it truly deserves. Many people have misunderstood this album and perhaps have been a bit too unforgiving. Cut The Crap is most definitely a worthy addition to complete any Clash collection.
Submitted by a reviewer (Dallas, TX)
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 How remarkably sad
In 3 years The Clash went from being "The Only Band That Matters" to a horrible joke. This is honestly one of the worst records that I have ever heard from a major act that has produced a number of excellent songs and albums. It is poorly written, as the band's manager is given co-writing credit on all the tracks. It took two guitarists to replace Mick Jones, who had jumped ship, and between them there is not a memorable hook or a nasty riff. The production is awful, as the vocals are mixed either way too low or way too high. I am just saddened that Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon are still on this record, there is not a shred of the power and brilliance and heart that marked The Clash. This Is England has average lyrics, but is clumsily arranged, and We Are The Clash attempts to be a statement of purpose but comes off like a bad Quiet Riot song with a massed chorus that sounds like it is being shouted by soccer hooligans. Joe Strummer has since made some passable records with The Mescaleros, but as a last hurrah this is an awful record. The Clash appears to have been much more than the sum of its parts, and without Mick Jones (and Topper Headon) this is just a total disappointment.
Submitted by a reviewer (Ashville, OH)
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