The line-up for this album includes Dave, the Captain, Pinch (drummer for such punk bands as English Dogs and Janus Stark), Monty Oxy Moron on keyboards, and Dave's wife, Patricia Morrison on bass (she used to be in the Sisters of Mercy and Gun Club). The sounds are all very familiar to early days of the Damned. "Grave Disorder" will bring more attention to this band's talents and weirdness. Which is apparent as many aren't sure if they are a punk band or a goth band (or god forbid, both?).
Bell tower chimes warn of the coming attack: The Captain always has something to make us ponder and this album starts with a track of his called "Democracy?" Not much more needs to be said here, except from note one, it's obvious they are back.
"Thrill Kill" is one of my first favorites from this creation. It has Dave's eerie gothic vocals telling a cryptic tale. I'm not listening to it now, but the thing has quite a catchy hook 'We're just having some fun, Messing round with a gun. Don't get excited, I'm just killing some time, it's a fantasy crime..." And another goth crooner for Vanian would be "She." Surely influenced by Vanian's wife, it's a romantic little goth ditty about the wonderful virtues of being in love with the right woman. While romance and punk don't usually mix, you have to delve into the mixed up world of the Damned gothic and punk swirl to really get it.
The most obvious look back at the original punk sound of the Damned comes with the track titled "Looking for Action." Just balls out fun, I'm hoping they do this one live.
The song with the best title I've seen in a while is "Would you be so hot (If you weren't dead)." Nothing more to say about this, just check it out for your self, it's not about what you think it's about, think about another big named band from England.
In a tribute to the muse of many a demented artist, Vanian writes a song called "Absinthe" which is the next track. It is also one of my favorites which I will try and figure out a way to use as a promotion for the new drink we serve at Kult ov Bela. Has anyone tried Legendre Herbsaint, the best legal version of Absinthe sold in the U.S. Oh and this song is another good crooner for Vanian.
Throw in some songs with topics ranging from Michael Jackson, to religion and even the 2000 presidential "election" and you've got an amazing new adventure from some true pioneers. Throw out a few long fade outs and a couple jam sessions and you've got a perfect "come back" album (many call these jams the psychedelic weirdness of the Damned, I prefer the two minute heroes personally, no need for the jam sessions).
We shall see how well this new endeavor goes over in the club setting but I can personally attest to the pure rockin' fun of this album. Throw it on while in the car or hangin' out with friends at the house, in whatever shape you're in, it won't disappoint.
