10 80s Albums That Changed Rock Music

Branded as the Clash's 'sellout' album this hailed the beginning of the end. Combat Rock was the amalgamation of five years on the musical frontline; exploring political and social issues through a kaleidoscope of musical styles including: punk, ska, rock 'n' roll, reggae and post punk.

This record came at a time when the band's unity was disintegrating. Joe Strummer became distant with his fellow band mates; Mick Jones was alienated due to his creative ideas being ignored and Topper Headon was embroiled in ever more excessive drug consumption. This was not a recipe for a good album. In a way it was fitting though, given that much of the content was inspired by the Frances Ford Coppola's vision of alienated madness, Apocalypse Now. Already established as social commentators, the group's lyrics centred around the plight of America during the early stages of the Reagan years; chiefly the fallout of Vietnam.

But despite the strained relationships, the group pulled it together to create some of their most celebrated and mimicked material. Straight to Hell, Rock The Casbah and Should I Stay or Should I Go were the finest goodbyes the Clash could give their audience - shortly after Headon was fired and Jones left.