After releasing their debut album, 'Damned Damned Damned', The Damned rejoined forces without their original guitarist BrianJames, who pursued his own interests from then on (only hooking up with the band again for a late-'80s "farewell" show). The remaining three (Dave Vanian, Rat Scabies, and Captain Sensible) brought in young Saints veteran Algy Ward on bass, recorded an album, and hoped for the best. That best proved much better than expected; while singles ended up on the charts, Etiquette itself was deservedly hailed as another classic from the band. Over time, its reputation has grown to equal the original Damned Damned Damned; while no less strong than that record, the Damned here bring in a wide variety of touches and influences to create a record that most of their contemporaries could never have approached. The group's wicked way around witty punk hadn't ebbed a bit; the opening cut, "Love Song," is a hilarious trashing of romantic clichés (sample lyric: "I'll be the rubbish, you'll be the bin!") that barely lasts two minutes, while "Noise, Noise, Noise" and "Liar" work in the same general vein. These, however, only scratch the surface. "Melody Lee," written by Captain Sensible for a favorite comic character, starts with a lovely piano intro, whereas the celebratory angst of "I Just Can't Be Happy Today" chugs along with garagey élan and keyboards á la the Electric Prunes. Other prime standouts include "Plan 9 Channel 7," a grand epic about James Dean and Vampira with a fantastic Vanian vocal; the merry mayhem of "These Hands" (belonging to a killer circus clown, with appropriate carnival music, of course); and a great rip through the MC5's "Looking at You." The best moment was saved for last, though: "Smash It Up," a two-part number divided between an affecting instrumental tribute to longtime supporter and Captain hero Marc Bolan of T-Rex fame, and a perfect trash-the-rules-and-party pop/punk/R&B scorcher.(Year of Release: 1979)
Track List:
1. Love Song
2. Machine Gun Etiquette
3. I Just Can't Be Happy Today
4. Melody Lee
5. Anti-Pope
6. These Hands
7. Plan 9 Channel 7
8. Noise, Noise, Noise
9. Looking At You
10. Liar
11. Smash It Up (Part 1)
12. Smash It Up (Part 2)
13. Ballroom Blitz
14. Suicide
15. Rabid (Over You)
16. White Rabbit (Extended Version)
Download: The Damned - Machine Gun Etiquette (71.9MB)
13 comments:
Absolutely fab album. In my opinion their best one.
I've started my own blog, you may want to have a look...http://soundsfair.blogspot.com/ or just click on my name you'll get redirected (but you obviously know how it works)...
Keep up the great work!!!
@jeronyme:
It's my personal fave as well, with 'love song' being my favorite song. I'm glad to hear you're starting your own blog. I have a general idea of your musical taste, and I can't wait to see what you post there. I'll go ahead and link to it if you don't mind.
Will you be able to repost Supercharger - Goes Way Out again? I shall wait even it's at the end of the year. Thank you!
Ajimas
What a great album! Sweet post!
"ladies and gemntlemen, how do..."
a perfect record.
i bought the cd before i even had a cd player.
For the longest time I couldn't differentiate who did "Looking At You" first. The Damned or The MC5. Oh to be 16 again!
Thanks for this. I have the record, but it was nice to get those bonus tracks. 'Suicide' is a real rocker!
You're great posts have inspired me to start a blog of my own. Once I get the archiving figured out I'l start posting...probably mostly 45s at first.
thanks again!
@anonymous (Supercharger):
I'll repost 'Goes Way Out' for you again soon. Just keep an eye out for it
@hdvns: If you get your blog up and running please stop back here and let me know the address to it. I'll link to it if you want me to. Let me know if you need any help with it.
Nice review. Got album but without extra songs and no means of converting. Thanks.
Nice 1! Got all the Damned vinyl, so, nice to be able to listen to it again - cheers!
Any Chance you could reup this one?
It is certainly interesting for me to read the post. Thanx for it. I like such themes and everything connected to this matter. I would like to read a bit more soon.
Don't stop posting such themes. I love to read blogs like this. Just add some pics :)
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