The Damned – Damned Damned Damned LP

Description

Whilethe Sex Pistolswill always have a prominent place in the story of U.K. punk,the Damneddid nearly everything first , including the first single, the smoking “New Rose,” and the first album, namely this stone classic of rock & roll fire. At just half an hour long,Damned Damned Damnedis a permanent testimony to original guitaristBrian James‘ songwriting (ten of the 12 tracks are his) and the band’s take-no-prisoners aesthetic. Starting withCaptain Sensible‘s sharp bassline for “Neat Neat Neat,” which rapidly explodes into a full band thrash,the Damnedleft rhetoric for the theoreticians and political posing forthe Clash. All the foursome wanted to do was rock, and that they do here.Dave Vanianalready has his spooky-voiced theatrics down cold; “Feel the Pain” indulges hisAlice Cooperfascination while the band creates some creepy fun behind him. Most of the time, he’s yelping with the best of them, but with considerably more control than most of the era’s shouters.Scabies‘ considerable reputation as a drummer starts here; comparisons flew thick and fast toKeith Moon, and not just for on-stage antics (of which there were plenty). His sense of stop-start rhythm and fills is simply astounding, whether on “So Messed Up” or in his own one-minute goof, “Stab Yer Back.” Thoughthe Captaindoesn’t get his full chance to shine on bass, he’s more than adequate, whileJamesjust cranks the amps and lets fly. Concluding with a version ofthe Stooges‘ “I Feel Alright” that sounds hollower than the original but no less energetic,Damned Damned Damnedis and remains rock at its messy, wonderful best. -All Music Guide