How does a band follow up London Calling, one of the greatest records of all time? On Sandinista! The Clash chose to push their songwriting and production even further, indulging their weirdest ideas and taking influence from almost every genre imaginable. With 36 tracks spanning across 3 LPs, Sandinista! is perhaps the most daunting listen in the group’s discography, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. Album-opener “The Magnificent Seven,” the famed cover of The Equals’ “Police on my Back,” and the political reggae anthem “Washington Bullets” are among the best Clash tracks of the ‘80s. Taking heavy influence from Lee “Scratch” Perry and disco producers of the late ‘70s, the album also features more experimentation with tape delay and synthesizers than on other albums in their career. Financially, this album was a disaster–the band famously gave up all royalties on the first 200,000 copies sold in the UK–but it’s far from the worst (that would be Cut The Crap). It’s gone on to influence many popular artists including The Beastie Boys, Vampire Weekend, M.I.A., and the Chilean group Los Prisioneros. Bridging the gaps between London Calling and Combat Rock, Sandinista! is a must-have for fans of The Clash. 36 tracks on black triple vinyl.

• 180g black triple vinyl pressing
• remastered audio
• original release year: 1980
  
• music label: Columbia 2017

reviewed by SHH! 05/2023