The Damned - Grave Disorder

Few bands in the punk scene (or in any scene for that matter) have lasted quite as long or stayed quite as potent as The Damned. From the speedy, catchy punk of "Damned Damned Damned" to the amazing masterpiece "Machine Gun Ettequette" and on to more gothic albums like "The Black Album", The Damned has always stayed fresh, original and always a blast to listen to and see live. So, after a prolonged hiatus from actually recording (1985 till 2001), The Damned released "Grave Disorder" in 2001, needless to say, the band has still got it. It's just as energetic and fresh as they were 47 years ago (yes pop pickers, nearly half a century ago) when they helped form the UK punk scene along with the Sex Pistols and The Clash, among others. Unlike most "new" albums from older bands who had been on a long hiatus, this album really feels as passionate (if not more so) than their earlier efforts, a real album and one of their best in fact. My initial impression is that this album has two very distinct sounds and personalities. Songs such as “Democracy”, “Song.com” and “Lookin’ for Action” contain a punk/pop sensibility with wry political overtones. “Democracy” itself has a gleeful “happy punk” sound, similar to “Noise Noise Noise” from Machine Gun Etiquette whilst the lyrics deliver a biting invective against politics of any sort; the bottom line being that nothing ever changes on that level.

“Song.com” is an ironic blend of surf sounds with lyrics bemoaning the addictive qualities of Web surfing. “Absinthe”, “’Til the End of Time” and “Beauty of the Beast” conveys a more romantic and gothic atmosphere, as well as reflecting Vanian’s continuing fondness for psychedelia. “She” is in fact, a gorgeous, soaring ode, an epiphany of Goth psychedelia, and the most moving song on the album. “Absinthe” is lovely and transcendent, a tour of the unreal world guided by the green fairy herself, as voiced by Vanian. The lyrics themselves reflect a variety of atmospheres, from the gleefully anarchistic (“Thrill Kill”) to the spiritually analytic (“Amen”) to the darkly romantic. Vanian and Captain Sensible are the only remaining members of the original group. On this line up are Patricia Morrison on bass (is this Patricia formerly of the Baggs and The Sisters of Mercy? Why yes, yes it is darlings), Monty Oxy Moron delivering some really sweet, fully blown keyboard sounds, and Pinch on drums. Dave Vanian can still sing, and his delivery is rich and vibrant as ever, and not without appropriate humour. And while I’m usually a guitar kind of dude, I’m a sucker for that keen Farfisa sound, or a Hammond organ with a rotating leslies. Monty Oxy Moron combines the two for a sound that is captivating, and mercy, does it rock!

While Grave Disorder is not the epitome of Damned albums, it is more than listenable, and contains moments and songs that are outstanding. I, for one, am very glad that they’re still around. Or back. Or whatever.

Ripped to MP3

1. Democracy

2. Song.Com

3. Thrill Kill

4. She

5. Lookin’ For Action

6. Would You Be So Hot

7. Absinthe

8. Amen

9. Neverland

10. The End Of Time

11. Obscene

12. W

13. Beauty Of The Beast