For some reason, “trash metal” is a common term in European metal discussions. :shrug:
Huh. Wrong perhaps I have had it all these years. The first time it would be not.
I don’t think of the Police as punk simply because it was pretty clear - even from the beginning, before I heard it was true - that Andy, Stewart and Mr. Sumner were clearly accomplished musicians who were putting on a punk vibe. Don’t get me wrong - I love their music and what they mixed together style-wise to make it - but punk, to me, is more raw.
My take on why London Calling is considered great is because it took punk to the next level. It is a double album, when most punk albums were about 25 minutes long - but it doesn’t seem self-indulgent or pretentious, it takes a variety of styles, invests them with a punk vibe and pulls them off pretty well. It covers both political and emotional points of view. And the songs stand the test of time - now that punk has been woven into the basic foundation of music today, many of these songs just sound great.
It’s very easy to forget the time… in 1978 The Police were definitely weird. And people who knew no better (which was the vast majority of people at that time) actually did consider The Police to be “punk”. A friend of mine was refused entry into Disneyland in the late 70’s because he was wearing a Police shirt.
In regards to the OP, I’ll have to say that I support those who have said that what makes London Calling special, is that is was the first punk album to really get any widespread respect from critics and the general public.
But… I also like the first Clash album (UK version) better.
No, it’s a European mistake.