MUSIC
London Calling — The Clash’s Apocalyptic Vision of Today
Psychic liberation for today’s zeitgeist
As I prepare to return to my hometown, London, the sound of “London Calling” by The Clash resurfaces in my psyche.
It’s like entering a parallel universe where the sounds and words of 1979 reverberate with prophetic relevance in today’s world.
Rebellious Youth
Back in 1979, that iconic piece of vinyl spun ceaselessly on my turntable. It was an apocalyptic anthem — instant karma for us renegades thumbing our noses at the establishment.
The Clash embodied our rebel spirit. They broke free from the constraints of their punk origins like Renaissance masters transcending their artistic boundaries.
They concocted an intoxicating blend of hard-edged guitars, clever lyrics, and pseudo-reggae rhythms that created a masterpiece of psychic liberation for outliers like us.
This is ‘London Calling’
It’s a clever homage to the ‘BBC World Service’s’ iconic wartime broadcasts during WWII, forewarning the world of the imminent peril from the German front.
The driving beat and punching guitar in the intro even mimics the sound of an…
