Well, I am 24 hours late with this one, but then again what does a day matter over a span of 50 years. Twenty five years ago yesterday The Damned released 'Grave Disorder' their first studio album having one C. Sensible back in the fold and one separated from its predecessor by no less than fifteen years (if you gloss over 'Not Of This Earth'). Recorded in California the album was released in the US label, Nitro Records. 'Grave Disorder' was to The Damned what 'Norfolk Coast' was to The Stranglers, both a return to form and a return to The Damned's 'signature sound'. In my opinion there is not a duff track on this album, a claim that cannot unfortunately be made for any of The Damned album's that were follow. If ever there were a worthy sequel to 'Strawberries' this was it. Opening with the high velocity rocker 'Democracy?' the album serves up a great variety of tracks that fully demonstrate that there was plenty of life left in this old punk dog! 'Song.com' is an early and prophetic observation of how social media would draw us in and steal our time. The double meaning of surfing was also a nod to the fact that they were laying down these tracks on the West Coast. Throughout the album Vanian's voice is a very significant instrument... still in possession of that rich baritone vocal, only now Elvis has left the building and in his place is a brooding, malevolent crooner... the stuff of nightmares. Just listen to 'Thrill Kill' to get the point.
Lennon, bloody Lennon! A complex character and depending on who's view point to listen to a bit of a nasty piece of work. Upon his death in 1980 many musicians seemed to take umbrage at the rapid about face that the press did. Disdain to deification overnight all flaws forgotten. The Stranglers captured this feeling in 1981 with 'Everybody Loves You When You're Dead' whereas The Damned waited 21 years to put the boot in! The US garage band fuelled 'Lookin' For Action' could be mistaken for a track left over from the 'Damned Damned Damned' sessions!
Not gonna go through track by track, but one stand out track for me to finish with and the finisher for the album too. 'The Beauty of The Beast'. This is a beautiful piano led lament from Dave Vanian for the era of the Hollywood horror film in which he name checks some of the studio greats of the iconic film genre. I don't think that I ever got to see the band play it. It was performed at the album launch (subject of this post) and at the 'Night of a Thousand Vampires' gig.
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