HEAR TODAY CLASHING VALUES.

Byline: Fred Shuster Music Critic

The only internationally successful, million-selling group to emerge from the late-'70s London punk scene, the Clash tried to engage the world with a potent mix of politics, iconic imagery and blazing rock 'n' roll.

The idealistic agenda was mirrored in the quartet's music, which evolved from ferocious punk to incorporate reggae, ska, funk, jazz, soul and hip- hop. Though always on the verge of superstardom, the Clash managed to restore passion and protest to rock music and, for a time in the late '70s, truly seemed like ``the only band that mattered.''

Blessed with two distinctive singer-songwriters in guitarists Joe Strummer (who died in 2002) and Mick Jones, the Clash (which also included drummer Topper Headon and bassist Paul Simonon) made some of the most bracing music of the era -- singles ``Complete Control,'' ``White Man in Hammersmith Palais'' and ``Clash City Rockers,'' and albums ``London Calling'' and the band's self-titled debut.

Coming to stores is ``The Clash: The Singles Box Set'' (Sony/Legacy; $79.98), which gathers the obvious as well as bonus tracks (six of which have never previously been available on CD), 12-inch mixes, non-U.K. B-sides and promos.

To get the lowdown, we reached Jones, 51, who was in the country for the opening of ``Revolution Rock: The Story of the Clash,'' an exhibit at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum running through April 15.

Q: Looking back at the Clash, what comes across?

A: It helps that the tunes were good, and we were genuine. We weren't hype or fake-os. We meant every word. We wrote about what affected us and our own concerns. People always say we were political, but we were only writing about what was going on around us. It was personal politics.

Q: What's your take on the exhibit?

A: It's unusual to get to the museum level while you're still alive. I mean, when you get put in a museum, you're usually dead, right? But I don't have time for sentimentality. We never set out for anything like this. We didn't think about what we were doing that much -- we just went ahead and did it. Now, everybody's got the benefit of hindsight.

Here's a sample of other new releases in stores this week:

``Awake'' (Reprise; $18.98) presents 13 new songs from Josh Groban, many written by the singer.

Keith Urban follows his multiplatinum smash ``Be Here'' with 13 new tracks in ``Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing'' (Capitol; $18.98).

Eric Clapton and J.J. Cale team up for ``The Road to Escondido'' (Reprise; $18.98).

Country trio Sugarland releases its sophomore album, ``Enjoy the Ride'' (Mercury; $13.98).

The CD/DVD combo ``Under the Desert Sky'' (Sugar; $24.98) has tenor sensation Andrea Bocelli in a set of romantic pop.

Also in stores

``El Tren De Los Momentos,'' Alejandro Sanz (Warner Music Latina; $17.98)

``Mickey Avalon,'' Mickey Avalon (MySpace Records; $10.99)

``Sinatra: Vegas,'' Frank Sinatra (Reprise; $79.98)

``Skin & Bones,'' Foo Fighters (RCA; $13.98)

``Great Burrito Extortion Case,'' Bowling for Soup (Jive; $18.98)

``This American Life: Stories of Hope & Fear,'' spoken word (Shout! Factory; $19.98)

``Live at the BBC,'' Free (Universal import; $26.98)

``The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers -- The Complete Recordings,'' soundtrack (Reprise; $75.98)

``Departed,'' Departed (Warner Bros.; $18.98)

``NOW 23,'' various (Sony; $18.98)

``Ricky Martin: MTV Unplugged,'' Ricky Martin (Panda; $16.98)

``The Best of What's Around Vol. 1,'' Dave Matthews Band (RCA; $19.98)

``My Friends & Me,'' Dionne Warwick (Concord; $18.98)

``Peel Sessions 1991-2004,'' PJ Harvey (Island; $15.98)

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Photo:

The Clash: Topper Headon, left, Paul Simonon, Mick Jones and Joe Strummer.