Reason #380 Why The ’80’s Didn’t Suck: The Black Album
For years, and I’m a tad embarrassed to admit this, the only Damned album I owned was Phantasmagoria. Now, that’s not to say Phantasmagoria is a bad album, certainly not! I’ll defend the fun goth-pop on that album for hours. As a matter of fact I may just do that on the next post!
But The Black Album is a fine, fine album, even for a double, which it…kind of is. Actually it’s the exact opposite of Genesis’ album Three Sides Live. For those of you without a calculator that means there are 3 sides of studio stuff and one side of live tracks. I’ve never been one for live albums, and the songs here don’t make me a convert. What’s left is 3 sides of the Damned ‘stretching out’ a bit, a-la the Clash circa London Calling. While the Clash went the eclectic route, the Damned decided they would go a bit darker. 17 minute Curtain Call is Vanian’s epic track and album opener Wait For The Blackout ranks among the very best of Damned tunes. If you can, pick up the Deluxe version, which adds singles (like their weirdo take on the Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit) from the era that betray their psychedelic leanings!
Back in the 80’s, I was totally into this album, and would try to get my friends to listen. I was a huge Damned fan, and thought for sure if more people heard tracks like “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” or “History of the World, pt.1” (ooohhhh, how literary, like the Damned could read books!), they’d be huge stars. I loved the sophomore word play of the “Hit or Miss” fade out (are they saying “Hit or Miss,” or “Shit or Miss”? Did it matter?), and would giddily point it out to friends, who really couldn’t care less. I found the “There Ain’t No Sanity Clause,” single at my local import shop, and would try to sneak that into the holiday music mix for years to come.
Part of the listening experience, if I recall, was hearing it on my ex-girlfriend’s portable stereo record player. It was a 60’s vintage, and seemed to always add a bit of echo to everything, being especially effective on albums by the Damned and the Cramps.
I listened to it not too long ago, and I think the mix was a bit muddy compared to my memory, but it held up reasonably well. It took me right back to darkened dorm rooms of college, and though I think “Strawberries” was the better album (I had the imported one with the strawberry smelling lyric sheet), it was a good listen. In fact, I think I’ll take out the 70’s era Nugent I have playing at the moment, and throw it on.
On a side note, I remember being excited when “Phantasmagoria” was released because the Damned finally had an American record label, MCA, if memory serves. Then I listened-“Grimly Fiendish” is great, but the rest I thought was sorely missing the Captain.
I guess it all depends on when you came to the party.
Thanks for the memories! I’ll be sure to read more of your blog!