Search - Damned :: Anything

NOT FOR PUNKERS, but true music fans

Len C. Kiel | 02/02/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album was not received well by most fans of the Damned, because it was so far removed from their early "punk" sound, but it is also their most ambitious work to date. They had already begun experimenting on other songs from previous albums, including "Strawberries, which was produced by Nick Mason, Pink Floyd's drummer. There was quite a difference of opinion on what direction the band should go, especially Captain Sensible's desire to remain rooted in their punk rock origins. He quit prior to this album, obviously losing the vote to the other members of the band, with excellent results. The album opener, "Anything", is possibly the closest they come to earlier work, but thanks to the production skills of Jon Kelly (Tori Amos, Beulah, Kate Bush), it actually bears little resemblance to anything that could be labeled "punk". They do a beautiful cover of Love's "Alone Again Or", and follow that with a haunting piano ballad, "The Portrait". They also have several unnamed special guests, but I recognize the obvious vocal style of David Bowie on the track, "Gigolo". There is a thread of melancholy throughout the album, which creates a very cohesive vibe from beginning to end. It makes me a bit sad that so many people missed out on this album, just because the band wanted to expand their sound. If you are strictly a punker, or head banger, you will probably not like this album either, but if you want to hear the Damned mature in their playing and songwriting, check this long out of print treasure out!"