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Give 'Em Enough Rope

The Clash

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iTunes Review

Produced by Blue Oyster Cult guru Sandy Pearlman, the Clash’s sophomore album was a conscious attempt to give the band a more commercial sound. Although Give ‘Em Enough Rope doesn’t pack quite the punch or purpose of the band’s debut, “Safe European Home,” “Tommy Gun,” and “Drug-Stabbing Time” show a growing synergy in the songwriting partnership between Joe Strummer and Mick Jones. The rollicking R&B of “Julie’s Been Working For the Drug Squad” presages the stylistic breakthrough of London Calling, while “English Civil War” offers the band’s punk audience one last furious anthem. In addition to the chemistry they display here, Strummer and Jones also show how well they can do on their own. Jones’s “Stay Free” is a disarmingly sweet song about lost friendship, but as usual, Strummer’s songs act as the group’s conscience. “Cheapskates” and “All the Young Punks” address the illusory nature of success, and both songs function as bitter goodbyes to the band’s punk roots.

Customer Reviews

Among their best

The problem with this album is that it is so often overlooked and never heard or appreciated for what it is. Casual fans of the Clash will get the singles or, God forbid, Combat Rock. Hardcore Clash fans tend to prefer The Clash and London Calling. And then those who loved the Clash's experimental side pick up Sandinsta!. (Those who hate good music buy Cut the Crap...) Historically, this album never sold well and is a victim of timing and perception of the band losing it's hard edge. As a follow-up to The Clash, its production is too polished. Compared to their next album (London Calling), it's inferior. All good points, but not good reasons to write this off as a tide-me-over or an afterthought recording. Give 'Em Enough Rope blends the lyricism of their first album and gives a preview of their new direction musically. In truth, the songs on this album could stand in for almost any one of the tracks on London Calling. I'd dare any listener to give this album a few listens and see if you just don't get hooked. It's a listen-through album, something that none of the albums after London Calling can claim, and a feat not many bands can pull off. The second half is not slow or weak, though it does have a change in tempo compared to the sonic blitz of the first three tracks. The band is so tight and fresh sounding here, I'm amazed it's not considered one of Clash fans' favorites. Listen for the cowbell in Drug-Stabbing Time and remember it's produced by the same guy that worked with Blue Oyster Cult for Don't Fear The Reaper... The cowbell is the most underrated percussion instrument, and Give 'Em Enough Rope is the Clash's cowbell.

Not the best the Clash have to offer but worthwhile

This album was maligned mostly due to when it was released. Even though the Clash simply recorded the songs they had saved up they were accused of catering to the American market, especially since their producer was American. But in today's light tunes such as Safe European Home, Tommy Gun, and one of my favorite but less glamorous Mick Jones' songs Stay Free. This album might surprise you and if your listening to the Clash anyway means you got good taste in music.

The ONLY band that Ever Mattered...

...Or so it was said. Here's your reason why. More polished than the 1st album, but containing all of the explosiveness of their live performances, " Rope" finds Mick Jones firing off minimalist supercharged guitar licks, under Joe Strummer's primal scream political indictments, while Topper & Paul keep it nailed down tight while pushing it forward like a runaway locomotive out of hell. There is no fat on this album, and your adrenal glands will be spent after a thorough listen. NONE of this cuts would ever make it on a MOR playlist, which frankly was the point of Punk...wasn't it? Long, long, after the last copy of Combat Rock hits the bargain bins, this will still be around baring it's fangs for all to see. if you have any interest in punk music, this is essential for your collection.

Biography

Formed: 1976 in London, England

Genre: Rock

Years Active: '70s, '80s

The Sex Pistols may have been the first British punk rock band, but the Clash were the definitive British punk rockers. Where the Pistols were nihilistic, the Clash were fiery and idealistic, charged with righteousness and a leftist political ideology. From the outset, the band was more musically adventurous, expanding its hard rock & roll with reggae, dub, and rockabilly among other roots musics. Furthermore, they were blessed with two exceptional songwriters in Joe Strummer and Mick Jones,...
Full Bio

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