The Damned - Machine Gun Etiquette

After dissolving in the wake of the poorly received second album (1977's Music for Pleasure), pioneering punk band the Damned reformed in 1979 without original guitarist/songwriter Brian James, who pursued his own interests from then on (only hooking up with the band again for a late-'80s "farewell" show), and proceeded to deliver one of the greatest (and unlikeliest) comeback albums in rock history. The remaining trio brought in young Saints bassist Algy Ward, recorded an album, and hoped for the best. That best proved much better than expected; while the singles ended up in the charts, Machine Gun 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 their debut, 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 track, "Love Song," is a hilarious trashing of romantic clichés 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 the Captain for a favourite comic character, starts with a lovely piano intro, whereas the celebratory angst of "I Just Can't Be Happy Today" chugs along with garagey keyboards á la the Electric Prunes. Other prime standouts include "Plan 9 Channel 7," an 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 long-time supporter the Captain’s hero Marc Bolan and a perfect trash-the-rules-and-party scorcher.

Ripped from the 2004 remastered edition to MP3 @ 320kbps. Bonus tracks, including the outstanding rendition of Sweet’s Ballroom Blitz with Lemmy on bass and backing vocals, add to the experience.

The Damned; Machine Gun Etiquette

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

12.   Love Song (Ed Hollis Version)

13.   Noise, Noise Noise (Ed Hollis Version)

14.   Suicide

15.   Smash It Up (Part 2)[Backing Track – Singalonga Damned]

16.   Smash It Up (Part 4)

17.   Burglar

18.   I Just Can’t Be Happy Today (Dj Edit)

19.   Ballroom Blitz

20.   Turkey Song