10 More Perfect Rock Albums Of The 80s With No Bad Songs

5. Combat Rock - The Clash (1982)

By the 1980s The Clash were fully solidified as social commentators. London Calling (1979) was an exploration of the social classes and economic struggle, particularly within the UK. But the band began referencing more affairs abroad with the follow up record, Sandinista (1980). With Combat Rock they delved into the murky world of post-Vietnam America and affairs in the Middle East.

Car Jamming made references to Agent Orange - a toxic herbicide, used by the US military for tactical means during the Vietnam War - the chemical caused close to a million Vietnamese civilians to develop all manor of health issues, including cancer. Straight To Hell, contained references to Vietnamese children born to US soldiers during the war, who were subsequently abandoned, along with their mothers after the US pulled out. Rock the Casbah was written as a responce to the Iranian authorities banning Western music from the country.

Despite a lyrical scope that further demonstrated the bands ability to address contemporary issues, they received some accusations of selling out. This was largely due to the incorporation of more dance beat melodies into their sound. The band weathered the criticism, however, and this album has remained a classic in their back catalogue.