Couldn't wait for this one in 1978. We'd read the bad things being said about the Clash and how they'd sold out using an American producer, Sandy Pearlman, whose claim to fame was Blue Oyster Cult. It was a time of supposedly rotten second albums by The Jam, The Stranglers and The Damned. Nothing from the Sex Pistols. It seemed punk was already starting to fizzle. So I put this on the turntable with quite low expectations.
But then it starts off with one of the best songs The Clash ever did. Who cares what else was on the record. This was just magic. It blew everything else away. And the production was magnificent. Topper's drums sound like explosives going off. Great tune, great lyrics..great backing vocals.
Alright, the album got a bit patchy from then in. Some of it seems very forced especially tunes like Tommy Gun and English Civil War. At the time. Now I can appreciate the album a bit more, No expectations to cloud my judgement. And we did like to have a singalong to Stay Free.
Anyway, Safe European Home is worth the price of entry for this one. Off to see bands in the city with the cassette player turned up really loud singing along to Joe Strummer and co. Tiger Lounge or Martinis or the Collingwood Town hall. To see great bands in small venues which is always the best way to see them. What a time!
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