Captain Sensible - Women And Captains First

Women and Captains First is the 1982 debut solo album by English punk musician Captain Sensible (Ray Burns), best known as the guitarist and co-founder of The Damned. Released on A&M Records, the project was a dramatic, playful departure from his aggressive punk rock roots, steering heavily into synth-pop, new wave, and eccentric psychedelic pop [A&M Records]. Produced by Tony Mansfield of the band New Musik, the record features distinctive backing vocals by the indie-pop trio Dolly Mixture and songwriting contributions from alternative icon Robyn Hitchcock [Women And Captains First, Expanded Edition CD by Captain ...].

The album achieved lasting commercial success largely on the strength of its chart-topping, unconventional hit singles. It features the eccentric, rap-influenced electronic dance track "Wot", which became a massive hit across European clubs, and a vibrant synth-pop cover of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Happy Talk", which famously climbed all the way to No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. Balancing quirky humor with sharp pop hooks, the album remains a beloved cult classic of early 1980s British alternative music, widely celebrated through expanded reissues

Captain Sensible - Five Bonus Singles

With HUGE thanks to DJ-JefRedy @ My Vinyl Dreams, and with no fanfare what-so-ever, a broad selection of the Captains single output during his years in the wilderness. One fat folder for your taste buds to salivate over....Dig In

Captain Sensible - This Is Your Captain Speaking & The Authorities - Soundtrack For Trouble EP

Released in 1981 on Crass Records, This Is Your Captain Speaking remains an eccentric, fascinating artifact of the UK punk scene that successfully bridges two wildly different musical worlds. On paper, a collaboration between Captain Sensible—the colorful, pop-leaning guitarist of The Damned—and the fiercely dogmatic anarcho-punk collective Crass sounds like an impossible match. Yet, this three-track 7" EP thrives on that exact friction. Backed by Crass mastermind Penny Rimbaud on drums and the indie-pop trio Dolly Mixture on backing vocals, the record manages to subvert expectations. It filters Crass's urgent, bleak anti-war messaging through Sensible’s undeniable gift for bright, infectious power-pop hooks, making it one of the most accessible and unique releases in the entire Crass Records catalogue.

The material across both sides perfectly captures this bizarre sonic collision. The standout A-side track, (What D'Ya Give) The Man Who's Gotten Everything?, layers Rimbaud's biting lyrical critique of consumerism over a driving, upbeat melody that you cannot help but hum along to. Meanwhile, the B-side's The Russians Are Coming pairs cold-war anxiety with quirky, synthesizer-tinged arrangements, showcasing Sensible’s evolution toward the synth-pop sound that would soon define his massive solo hits like Happy Talk. Far from a mere novelty, this EP is a brilliant example of artistic cross-pollination. It proves that punk's rigid boundaries could be delightfully bent, offering listeners a catchy yet thought-provoking snapshot of 1980s subculture.