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Staff IconThe Damned - Grave Disorder (Cover Artwork)

The Damned

Grave Disorder (2001)
Nitro Records

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Contributed by: BrandonSideleau
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Published on January 13th 2004


Few bands in the punk scene (or in any scene for that matter) have lasted quite as long or stayed quite as potent as England's infamous The Damned. From the speedy, catchy punk of "Damned Damned Damned" to the amazing masterpeice "Machine Gun Ettequette" and on to more gothic albums like "The Black Album", The Damned has always stayed fresh, original and always a blast to listen to and see live. So, after a prolonged hiatus from acutally recording (1985 till 2001), The Damned released "Grave Disorder" in 2001, which seemed to be a double whammy of older bands releasing new albums for Nitro (T.S.O.L.'s first album in 20 years was released at almost the exact same time). Needless to say, the band has still got it.

It's just as energetic and fresh as they were 25 years ago when they helped form the UK punk scene along with the Sex Pistols and The Clash, among others. Unlike most "new" albums from older bands on long hiatus, this album really feels as passionate (if not more so) than their earlier efforts, a real album and one of their best in fact.

There are numerous songs that I feel to be instant Damned classics- such as the amazing punk rockfrenzy "Amen", which challenges organized religion and features humorous soundbites from televangelists. The song "Democracy" is a melodic punk tune that attacks the hypocrisy and illegitimacy of American democracy. Other amazing tracks are the humorous "Song.com", the dark "Thrill Kill", and the melodic "Would You Be So Hot (If You Were Dead)." In my opinion the aforementioned songs rank right up their with songs like "Neat Neat Neat", "Smash It Up", and "New Rose".

It is truly amazing to see a band this vibrant and productive after being around for 25 years, and still keeping things independent and below the mainstream radar. Buy this album and the rest of the Damned discography, do yourself a favor. Definitely one of the best bands of all time.



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The Misfits - Earth ADHigh On Fire - Blessed Black WingsJoy Division - CloserRollins Band - WeightAFI - A Fire InsideAFI - Sing The SorrowAFI - 336 [10 inch picture disc]AFI - DecemberundergroundAFI - AFIScum - Gospels for the Sick

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    totalstranga (July 26, 2006)

    good cd. why havent reviews for Damned x 3 and MFYP been done yet?

    Anonymous (August 8, 2004)

    Great album. No filler songs. Buy it now.

    TheOneTrueBill (January 15, 2004)

    Music For Pleasure isn't nearly as bad as most people make it out to be. I wonder why even the band ignores it.

    a cool thing though, is on that "Live Anthology" 2CD set they play 'Problem Child.'

    Anonymous (January 14, 2004)

    ah mein herr bsd, sehr gut.

    Not too much of a stranglers lover...
    Hey but cornwell what's his name? played viva le punk...didn't watch him though...
    -Janelle

    Anonymous (January 14, 2004)

    Ach, meine Janelle: I was quoting something from a Stranglers CD linear notessss...

    -BSD

    Anonymous (January 14, 2004)

    great review, great band, great disc.

    Anonymous (January 14, 2004)

    my bad: *your*

    Anonymous (January 14, 2004)

    Ok ok...is mr. bsd getting sarcastic on me? or really berating me? You like MUSIC FOR PLEASURE in all seriousness, right?
    -Janelle

    OOH and I liked you're you fuck with canada you fuck with D.O.A. comment thing...though billy talent blows...ridiculous band.

    Anonymous (January 14, 2004)

    uppers, downers, laughers, screamers

    PetroBPettson (January 14, 2004)

    No Keyboards?! What about The Spits, The Boys, The Piranhas, The Eyes, The Cripples, and the Screamers?

    Anonymous (January 13, 2004)

    FIRST RULE OF PUNK, J: No wack keyboards!!!

    This definitely isn't as good as Damned Damned Damned, that's fo sho.

    -BSD

    XHybridMomentsx (January 13, 2004)

    I thought that the last song on this cd is probably the best. For a couple of minutes I thought about how cool it would be to learn how to play it on piano. Then I thought about how cool it would be to eat a sandwich. And in the end the sandwich one.

    Anonymous (January 13, 2004)

    great you reviewed this, but to say it may be more passionate than their early work?

    Also, why must MUSIC FOR PLEASURE be overlooked? It's quite good despite the lack of approval and poor critiques it earned back in '77...
    -Janelle

    ZLNFTOC (January 13, 2004)

    "Absinthe" might very well be the coolest song EVER. Too bad they didn't play it when I saw them open for the Misfits. Nonetheless, they're still an amazing live band and Vanian might be the greatest "punk" vocalist of all-time.

    PetroBPettson (January 13, 2004)

    Their first album is fucking awsome. When I saw them however, they played WAY too long. They turned Neat Neat Neat into a 12 minute wank-fest. Nice guys though.

    Anonymous (January 13, 2004)

    I saw these guys on their tour for this album, and they put most of todays bands to shame. Simply incredible.

    ...evildeadalive

    TheOneTrueBill (January 13, 2004)

    I'm listening to Machine Gun Ettiqutte right now. My favorite british punk band.

    Anonymous (January 13, 2004)

    The Damned are one of my favourite bands of all time

    Anonymous (January 13, 2004)

    this is a great album...

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