The weirdest thing about this CD, the 25th anniversary re-release of The Clash's London Calling, for me was realizing that my Dad was eight years older than I am now when I brought home the original double album which still sits in my closet. Mom was only four years older. Tonight, playing it through once during dinner, I watched the four and six year old jump up and dance, I only winced at one bit of bad language [the Jesus Christ in "Brand New Cadillac"]. I don't think that I would do that with, say, the Sex Pistols or the Strangler's No More Heroes both of which I owned for a couple of years before London Calling came out. I was quite surprised how much ska was on it - at least 4 or 5 songs owe a lot to the second wave of ska happening at the time. Finally, I was surprised when it was over and the CD player rotated to Streetcore, the posthumous release by Strummer's band the Mescaleros. It was not far off, the voice of Joe, the issues and the dynamic acceptance of many forms of sound.

I will probably add to this review. There is much both in the music and the re-release version of the album to discuss.