The Essential Clash demonstrates once again how superior the Clash were to any of their punk peers. It's striking that, while the effects of the movement continue to resonate decades later, most '70s punk has dated badly. Even the great singles of the Sex Pistols, perhaps because they encapsulated the time so perfectly, do little more than remind one of 1977.
But this fine 40-track double-disc collection demonstrates that the Clash's sound maintains its vitality, whether in the apocalyptic foreboding of "London Calling" or the sulking "I'm So Bored with the USA." When frontman Joe Strummer died in December 2002 at age 50, much was made of the political conscience he'd brandished throughout his career; it must be noted that appearing to be a great thinker in comparison to other rock singers is no great accomplishment. Appearing a great rock singer in comparison to other vocalists is a much more impressive achievement, and this retrospective provides irrefutable evidence of the genius of Strummer and the band he led.
- Andrew Mueller

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. White Riot (single Version)
2. London's Burning
3. Complete Control
4. Clash City Rockers
5. I'm So Bored With The U.s.a.
6. Career Opportunities
7. Hate & War
8. Cheat
9. Police & Thieves
10. Janie Jones
11. Garageland
12. Capital Radio One
13. White Man In Hammersmith Palais
14. English Civil War
15. Tommy Gun
16. Safe European Home
17. Julie's Been Working For The Drug Squad
18. Stay Free
19. Groovy Times
20. I Fought The Law

Disc 2:

1. London Calling
2. The Guns Of Brixton
3. Clampdown
4. Rudie Can't Fail
5. Lost In The Supermarket
6. Jimmy Jazz
7. Train In Vain
8. Bank Robber
9. The Magnificent Seven
10. Ivan Meets G.i. Joe
11. Police On My Back
12. Stop The World
13. Somebody Got Murdered
14. The Street Parade
15. This Is Radio Clash
16. Ghetto Defendant
17. Rock The Casbah
18. Straight To Hell
19. Should I Stay Or Should I Go
20. This Is England