Malcriada Essential Albums
No. 10 Upping St. by Big Audio Dynamite
I’d just as soon pretend that whole “Rush for the change of atmosphere” song never happened, if it’s all the same to you. But if that’s been your sole introduction to BAD, I invite you to check out their gem of a sophomore album, co-produced by Joe Strummer. Download “The Bottom Line”, “Medicine Show” and “E=MC2” from their debut, This is Big Audio Dynamite, and as far as I’m concerned you can skip anything that came afterward. (I got a little bit of love for Tighten Up Vol. 88, but not much.) On Upping Street, BAD was firing on all cylinders and created this all-killer, no-filler masterpiece.
This is a must for those who cried when the Clash broke up and really appreciated the dub reggae and hip hop influences they incorporated throughout their career, thanks in great part to Big Audio Dynamite co-founder Don Letts. “Limbo the Law”, “Hollywood Boulevard” and “Sightsee MC!” continues the Clash tradition of lyrical complexity, and as for timeless messages, “Beyond the Pale” is just as relevant to London in 2012 (and any city in Arizona, for that matter) as it was in 1985:
“Don’t anybody know that
This city was made
Of immigrant blood and money
If I was in those shoes
I’d say Soweto’s gonna happen here too
Gotta get a message through
Tell everybody the news”
Throw in supreme danceability, one of the coolest band names ever, and the unerring sensibilities of music world legend/filmmaker/DJ/manager/producer and all-around-badass Letts, and I’m just wondering why you aren’t running your li’l butt down to Licorice Pizza already?! (I’m just kidding…I know there’s nowhere to run our butts to anymore to buy music.)
