Top tracks — play these first
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This Is England — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of disillusionment, using vivid imagery to comment on contemporary society while blending anthemic choruses with somber undertones.
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Do It Now — This track features driving rhythms and a call to action that highlights urgency amidst social decay, showcasing the band's punk roots while embracing a more melodic approach.
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Sex Mad Roar — With its raw energy and provocative lyrics, this song captures the chaotic spirit of the era, reflecting both personal and societal tumult through its frenetic sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The single showcases varied tempos and themes while maintaining a political edge, reflecting The Clash's evolution.
What we noticed
- The title track features a slow build with layered instrumentation, gradually introducing strings and percussion that create a haunting atmosphere.
- The second track, 'Do It Now', shifts to a more upbeat tempo but retains the reflective lyrical content, contrasting with the opener.
- The final track, 'Sex Mad Roar', employs a more aggressive punk sound, diverging from the previous two tracks and creating a jarring end to the single.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Marks a shift in sound and themes, diverging from earlier punk roots.
- Themes
- British socio-political turmoil· post-industrial disillusionment· 1980s urban decay
- Career context
- Released on September 30, 1985, This Is England marked The Clash's final studio album before their disbandment in 1986. Following the commercial success of Combat Rock, this album reflects a shift towards deeper lyrical content amidst evolving musical landscapes. It showcases the band's grappling with identity and societal issues during a turbulent period in British history.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Jam· Buzzcocks· Joe Strummer
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 This Is England 3:37
- 2 Do It Now 3:07
- 3 Sex Mad Roar 2:59
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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