- Artist: The Damned
- Title: The Black Album
- Year: 1980
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 7
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: ? I’m thinking…
- Keeper: Yes
This version of The Damned’s The Black Album is the original release on the Chiswick label. That means it’s a full color gatefold sleeve double album. We also have another version that is mostly black, with no gatefold, and no second record. The second is mostly live stuff. I can’t remember when and where I got this, but I do remember that not too long ago it still had the shrink wrap on it. So, it’s old, but almost new, if you know what I’m saying.
I’ve always loved the song “Wait for the Blackout” and there are some other great ones on this record. But there’s some other stuff that just drags it down. Which is how I feel about every record by The Damned. Read more about The Black Album.
- Artist: The Damned
- Title: Music for Pleasure
- Year: 1977
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 7
- Owner: Mary?
- Acquired: Unknown origin
“Music for Pleasure”, the second album by The Damned, is a lot more garage rock punk than I remembered. There are also moments that sound more like acid rock. I guess for 1977 that was more likely than it seems now. I like it and it’s hard to sit still when it’s playing, but I’ll admit that we won’t play this one that often. Gotta love the “smile price” sticker placed directly(?) on the record jacket. A real bonus is the oxblood colored vinyl. Not available on cassette, CD, MP3, etc.
Not sure where the first The Damned record is, but it’s gotta be here somewhere. While I look for it you can read about the complicated history of the band, or the “Music for Pleasure” record, or the cool label that put it out, Stiff Records.
Xmal Deutschland -- Sequenz
- Artist: Xmal Deutschland
- Title: Sequenz
- Year: 1985
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 6
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: 1985 – Bought when she worked at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA
- Keeper: Maybe
“Sequenz” is a three song 12 inch by Xmal Deutschland. When I played the first side I asked Mary if she knew who it was and she guessed Siouxsie and The Banshees. And that’s funny because I later saw this Wikipedia article about Xmal Deutschland and it noted that the singer was often compared to Siouxsie Sioux. I don’t know… I loved the first song “Jahr Um Jahr II”, but the other two, “Autumn” and “Polarlicht” were kinda… blah.
- Artist: Fad Gadget
- Title: One Man’s Meat
- Year: 1983
- Format: Vinyl 7 in.
- Rating (1-10): 6
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: 1983 – Olsson’s in DC?
- Keeper: Yes
After just one listen to “One Man’s Meat” you might think it’s just angsty, electronic, New Wave, disco. You wouldn’t be completely wrong, but there’s more to it than that. It definitely sounds like the early 1980s, so yes it’s a bit dated, but it’s also pretty interesting. The flip, “Sleep”, is a plodding arty electronic bore. Or, is that just his serious side? The package included another 7 inch of “Collapsing New People.” We’ve already played and logged that song in 12 inch format on a previous letter F day.
- Artist: The Danse Society
- Title: 2000 Light Years From Home
- Year: 1984
- Format: Vinyl 7 in.
- Rating (1-10): 5
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: 1984 – Tower Records in DC.
- Keeper: No
This is the most dreary version of The Rolling Stones’ “2000 Light Years From Home” I’ve ever heard, and I’ve heard a few. The package is a gatefold holding twin 7 inches with a total of four songs. The three originals are better. This record belongs to Mary, but I have my share of music from The Danse Society. So, when I say that I found it boring, believe me, I tried to like it.
