Mail Bag!

Dear Ted Purefoy from Hernando, MS –

Thank you for your email of April 9^th. We apologize for taking so unconscionably long to reply – we’ve been picking up the pieces after the incident (of April 2013), and moving into our new offices here in Snyder, TX.

You are absolutely correct (and must be a long-time fan of Rantin’ Russell) – founder Russell Bladh did indeed write back in 2007 right here at Rantin’ Russell that The Clash’s London Calling was one of the three most overrated albums of all time (the other two were The Who’s Tommy and The Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Street).

To answer your first question, the post was not taken down due to negative reader reaction. Although it’s true that readers’ responses were overwhelmingly critical, Mr. Bladh took down the post after the friend of a financier complained that the piece reflected badly on him. And no, the post will not be put back up.

To answer your second question we forwarded your email to Mr. Bladh and got lucky – although he’s currently immersed in very intense psychotherapy, he took the time to send the following response:

“Hi Renee –

“Thank you for forwarding me Ted Purefoy’s email of April 9^th.

“Please tell him that no offense was intended with my ‘Three Most Overrated Albums of All Time’ piece back in 2007. It was an honest assessment of three albums I felt simply did not measure up to the hype that’s surrounded them for years.

“Truthfully, I’ve always felt The Clash – in addition to recording one of the most overrated albums of all time – are one of the most overrated bands of all time.

“The first album is unquestionably stronger in its bastardized American version, wherein ‘Clash City ‘Rockers,’ ‘Complete Control,’ ‘(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais’ and ‘I Fought the Law’ are included to satisfy CBS’ desire for a ‘radio friendly’ record. The original British version contains the great ‘Deny’ and ‘Cheat,’ but is otherwise lackluster. I’ll never understand the hordes of fanboys who say ‘Janie Jones’ is one of the great punk songs (to these ears it’s wholly unremarkable), and songs like ‘I’m So Bored with the USA’ and ‘What’s My Name?’ don’t register at all.

“Give ‘Em Enough Rope was the classic sophomore slump, and London Calling barely contains enough songs to make a good single album, much less the double album we’re left with. I’m fully aware of the legions of critics and fans citing London Calling as one of the greatest albums of all time, but aside from the title track, ‘Spanish Bombs’ and ‘The Guns of Brixton,’ I don’t see what the big deal is. The lyric ‘Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust’ in ‘London Calling’ is easily one of the most asinine lyrics of the 20^th century. This, from ‘The Only band that Matters?’ Pure rubbish. There are probably really only an EP’s worth of good songs here, if we’re being honest. ‘Death or Glory,’ ‘Rudie Can’t Fail’ and ‘The Right Profile’ bore me outright, and will Clash sycophants ever broach the unpleasant subject of ‘I’m not Down’ blatantly ripping off The Kinks’ ‘Waterloo Sunset?’ Probably not, is my guess. Probably the great unenlightened masses of Clash fans will continue obsequiously fawning over the unconscionably hideous steaming liquid shit this band churned out from 1977 to 1982, willfully ignorant of what good music actually is.

“Once again, please tell Mr. Purefoy no offense was intended.”

We hope you enjoyed your personalized response, Ted. Thank you for reading Rantin’ Russell.