Clash Heresy

Just bought a copy of the first 2 clash albums in supermarket as only £4.00 as a double set. Have got everything clash ever did and been fan from day one. Bought just to be nerdy completist to be honest then realised was the usa version of first album. as played it in car realised that it is actually much better as an album than the original UK version. I remember at the time sneering at the 'watered down' USA record co approach but now seems like the perfect clash album. Anyone else agree?

Should have put song titles down for comparison!

UK Version

"Janie Jones" –
"Remote Control" –
"I'm So Bored with the USA" –
"White Riot" –
"Hate and War" –
"What's My Name?"
"Deny" –
"London's Burning" –
"Career Opportunities" –
"Cheat" –
"Protex Blue" –
"Police & Thieves"
"48 Hours" –
"Garageland

US Version

"Clash City Rockers" –
"I'm So Bored with the USA" –
"Remote Control" –
"Complete Control" –
"White Riot" –
"(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais" –
"London's Burning" –
"I Fought the Law"
"Janie Jones" –
"Career Opportunities" –
"What's My Name?"
"Hate and War" –
"Police & Thieves"
"Jail Guitar Doors" –
"Garageland" –

USA tracks in bold

as the resident clash nerd around here, I'll chime in on this one.

The US version is indeed a more rounded and cohesive record, the addition of songs like 'white man' and 'complete control' added another dimension to the record. But it's not truly their first album anymore. And my personal opinion, I'd rather have seen 'cheat' or 'protex blue' on the US version as opposed to 'jail guitar doors' which is a revved up 101ers song. good song, but not really up to par with the rest of the record.

I also much prefer the more raw mix on the UK versoin.

g

You see Jail Guitar Doors has always been one of my favourite songs particularly the breakdown at about 2 mins into it so that is big factor for me! Plus always liked 101ers anyway pre Clash.