The Black Album [Deluxe Edition]

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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Ned Raggett
The fact that one of its songs is called "Hit or Miss" is quite appropriate for the double-vinyl Black Album; while not perfect, it's definitely got some high points on it. Given the intentionally parodic reference to the Beatles' own two-disc sprawler, perhaps the semi-schizophrenia is perfectly intentional. Some of the numbers show the Damned following their original punk vein, but by this point the four (joined here by a new bassist, Paul Gray) were leaving straight, three-chord thrash to the cul-de-sac revivalists. The album begins with a Damned classic, "Wait for the Blackout," a dramatic psych/punk surge infected with Dave Vanian's glorious croon, celebrating the joys...
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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Ned Raggett
The fact that one of its songs is called "Hit or Miss" is quite appropriate for the double-vinyl Black Album; while not perfect, it's definitely got some high points on it. Given the intentionally parodic reference to the Beatles' own two-disc sprawler, perhaps the semi-schizophrenia is perfectly intentional. Some of the numbers show the Damned following their original punk vein, but by this point the four (joined here by a new bassist, Paul Gray) were leaving straight, three-chord thrash to the cul-de-sac revivalists. The album begins with a Damned classic, "Wait for the Blackout," a dramatic psych/punk surge infected with Dave Vanian's glorious croon, celebrating the joys of the night while steering clear of overtly serious goth affectations. After that, things start to vary, but tracks of note are still thick on the ground, including the Captain Sensible-sung "Lively Arts," a nicely barbed take on culture with some harpsichord to match, and the goofy but still enjoyable "Drinking About My Baby." Regardless, things get a bit restful at points, and while Vanian often steps forward to continue carrying it along, sometimes even the band isn't happy with the results. "History of the World (Part One)" has always carried the credit "overproduced by Hans Zimmer" because they felt the guest synth player did just that! However, the final two studio tracks are doozies: "Therapy," a Sensible/Vanian-sung romp with a great chorus, and the side-long "Curtain Call," perhaps the most unlikely thing the Damned ever did. That said, it's still a surprisingly good blast, a tour de force for Vanian particularly, and a chance for the band to try everything from straightforward rock to gentler atmospherics. [The 2005 Deluxe Edition includes an additional CD of bonus material.]
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 12/27/2005
  • Label: Ace Records Uk
  • UPC: 029667427524
  • Catalog Number: 275
  • Sales rank: 41,243

Album Credits

Performance Credits
The Damned Primary Artist
Captain Sensible Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Anthony More Synthesizer
Paul Gray Bass
Ray Martinez Trumpet
Rat Scabies Drums
Hans Zimmer Synthesizer
David Banian Vocals
Technical Credits
Grace Slick Composer
Rob Tyner Composer
Captain Sensible Engineer
Billy Karloff Composer
Roger Armstrong Producer, Liner Notes
Robin Black Engineer
Gary Edwards Engineer
Paul Gray Composer
Brian James Composer
Hugh Jones Engineer
Steve Rance Engineer
Rat Scabies Engineer
Adam Skeaping Mastering
Dennis Thompson Composer
Hans Zimmer Producer
Tony Taverner Engineer
Alvin Clark Engineer
Phil Smee Cover Design
Giovanni Dadomo Composer
Kieron Tyler Liner Notes
Frederick "Freddy" Smith Composer
All Sorts of People Producer
Kings of Reverb Producer
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