Nick Lowe's production credit is the giveaway here; this is as much power-pop as punk. The Damned didn't want to change the world, like the Clash did, or negate society, like the Pistols. They just wanted a friggin' girlfriend. And that need resulted in some wonderful songs from guitarist Brian James, such as "Neat Neat Neat", "New Rose" and "Fan Club". Most of the other songs are quite good too, and when they're not -- "Fish", for example -- they're over very quickly. The only real stumble is the draggy "Feel the Pain", which wants to be another "All Tomorrow's Parties" but fails miserably. A good debut, and who would have guessed that almost 30 years later they'd still be around? In a funny way the Damned have proven to be one of the most influential bands ever -- listen to Green Day or Blink-182, who sound nothing like the Clash and everything like this record.
By: BradL
The Damned blazed a trail when they became the very first British punk band to release a single, swiftly followed by the release of the very first British punk album, their classic debut Damned Damned Damned on 18th February 1977. Now, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the bands dramatic breakthrough, a very special Art Of The Album deluxe edition of that incredible debut album on 17th February 2017, almost exactly 40 years to the day since its original issue. Featuring fully remastered audio & new sleevenotes within both the CD & LP formats recalling the story of the bands conception and the albums creation. Comprehensively researched and written by legendary punk writer John Ingham, these new sleevenotes cover in-depth the story of the album & the period in which it was written & recorded, the key players in its creation, the craft and instrumentation, the impact upon release and its legacy 40 years later. Via exclusive interviews with original band members Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Brian James and Rat Scabies, John Ingham is perfectly placed to recount the early hedonistic days of the band in this definitive release of one of the most influential albums of all time...
A1 Neat Neat Neat
A2 Fan Club
A3 I Fall
A4 Born To Kill
A5 Stab Your Back
A6 Feel The Pain
B1 New Rose
B2 Fish
B3 See Her Tonight
B4 1 Of The 2
B5 So Messed Up
B6 I Feel Alright
Catalogue Number: BMGAA01LP
Record Label: BMG