Sandinista! was my first exposure to the Clash. As a teenager, I was blown away by the variety of music on this triple (!!!) album: punk, pop, jazz, rockabilly, reggae, gospel, psychedelia, calypso, new wave, blues, rap, military marches, show tunes, cutsie kiddie choruses, and some things that defy description. It's truly an amazing album; a tour de force, full of contradictions and challenges; at once a thought-provoking piece of political commentary and a musical schmorgasboard of styles and textures.
Due to the instrumental reprises that comprise much of side six; the entire album often gets dismissed. It's unfair to say that it could've made an amazing single album when the first five sides all have vibrant and exciting music. Despite the serious, politically-charged lyrical content, (they named the album after the Nicaraguan rebels at a time when Iran-contra was still a big secret) the music throughout is exuberant.
Of course, some of the songs are more fulfilling than others; but there is something for everyone here in the vast musical palate. Who would have thought that your Mom could enjoy the Clash? The lyrics throughout are food for thought: tales of corrupt secret police, inner city blues, third world violence, wartorn desolation and poverty, and everywhere the dirty hand of politics. It's a bit of a mindfuck. They hook you with the joyous worldbeat groove and the dark lyrical visions sneak up on you. There is nothing like the experience of Sandinista! . It's a great way to spend two and a half hours.
http://www.theclash.com/
Sandinista!
full album:
All tracks written by the Clash, except where noted. Lead vocalist listed.
Side one
1. "The Magnificent Seven" Joe Strummer 5:28
2. "Hitsville UK" Mick Jones, Ellen Foley 4:20
3. "Junco Partner" ("writer, at present, unknown" on liner notes) Joe Strummer 4:53
4. "Ivan Meets G.I. Joe" Topper Headon 3:05
5. "The Leader" Joe Strummer 1:41
6. "Something About England" Mick Jones, Joe Strummer 3:42
Side two
1. "Rebel Waltz" Joe Strummer 3:25
2. "Look Here" (written by Mose Allison) Joe Strummer 2:44
3. "The Crooked Beat" Paul Simonon 5:29
4. "Somebody Got Murdered" Mick Jones 3:34
5. "One More Time" (written by the Clash and Mikey Dread) Joe Strummer 3:32
6. "One More Dub" (dub version of "One More Time"; written by the Clash and Dread) Instrumental 3:34
Side three
1. "Lightning Strikes (Not Once but Twice)" Joe Strummer 4:51
2. "Up in Heaven (Not Only Here)" Mick Jones 4:31
3. "Corner Soul" Joe Strummer 2:43
4. "Let's Go Crazy" Joe Strummer 4:25
5. "If Music Could Talk" (written by the Clash and Dread) Joe Strummer 4:36
6. "The Sound of Sinners" Joe Strummer 4:00
Side four
1. "Police on My Back" (written by Eddy Grant; originally performed by the Equals) Mick Jones 3:15
2. "Midnight Log" Joe Strummer 2:11
3. "The Equaliser" Joe Strummer 5:47
4. "The Call Up" Joe Strummer 5:25
5. "Washington Bullets" Joe Strummer 3:51
6. "Broadway" (features an epilogue of "The Guns of Brixton" sung by Maria Gallagher) Joe Strummer 5:45
Side five
1. "Lose This Skin" (written by Tymon Dogg) Tymon Dogg 5:07
2. "Charlie Don't Surf" Joe Strummer, Mick Jones 4:55
3. "Mensforth Hill" ("Something About England" backwards with overdubs) Instrumental 3:42
4. "Junkie Slip" Joe Strummer 2:48
5. "Kingston Advice" Joe Strummer, Mick Jones 2:36
6. "The Street Parade" Joe Strummer 3:26
Side six
1. "Version City" Joe Strummer 4:23
2. "Living in Fame" (dub version of "If Music Could Talk"; written by the Clash and Dread) Mikey Dread 4:36
3. "Silicone on Sapphire" (dub version of "Washington Bullets") Joe Strummer 4:32
4. "Version Pardner" (dub version of "Junco Partner") Joe Strummer 5:22
6. "Shepherds Delight" (dub version of "Police & Thieves") Instrumental 3:25
Total length: (144:09)
