Description
The Damned – Music For Pleasure – 180 Gram Limited Edition Vinyl Record
The Damned’s Music for Pleasure (1977) is the second studio album by the British punk rock band, released only a few months after their landmark debut Damned Damned Damned. While their first album established them as one of the pioneers of the UK punk scene, Music for Pleasure is notable for its more experimental approach, which combined elements of psychedelia, garage rock, and proto-punk, setting it apart from the straightforward aggression of their debut. Despite its significance in their evolution, the album was initially met with mixed reviews and is often regarded as an underrated part of their discography.
Produced by Nick Mason of Pink Floyd, Music for Pleasure is sonically more polished and ambitious than Damned Damned Damned. The album also marks the final appearance of original guitarist Brian James, whose songwriting dominated the band’s early years. Though it didn’t receive the same acclaim as their debut, Music for Pleasure represents an important transitional phase for The Damned, foreshadowing their later experimentation with gothic rock and post-punk.
While still rooted in the fast, aggressive energy of punk rock, Music for Pleasure incorporates psychedelic elements, with more complex arrangements and melodic experimentation than their debut. Songs like “Stretcher Case Baby” and “Problem Child” retain the raw, fast-paced energy of early punk, but tracks such as “You Take My Money” and “Creep (You Can’t Fool Me)” hint at more ambitious songwriting with off-kilter rhythms and trippy guitar effects.
The album’s production is notably cleaner and more polished than Damned Damned Damned. Nick Mason’s influence as producer gives the album a more spacious, layered sound, emphasizing psychedelic textures and atmospheres. However, some fans and critics felt this polished approach detracted from the raw, DIY ethos of the band’s early punk style.
Although Music for Pleasure is a punk album, certain tracks hint at the darker, more atmospheric sound The Damned would explore in their later work. Tracks like “You Know” and “Creep (You Can’t Fool Me)” incorporate moodier tones and more intricate guitar work, offering a glimpse of the post-punk and gothic rock influences that would shape their sound in the 1980s.
Key Tracks
“Problem Child”: One of the album’s standout tracks, “Problem Child” is a fast-paced punk anthem with a catchy chorus and sharp guitar riffs. The song reflects the rebellious energy of early punk, with Dave Vanian’s snarling vocals and Brian James’s driving guitar lines capturing the raw spirit of the genre.
“Stretcher Case Baby”: Originally released as a standalone single, “Stretcher Case Baby” is another highlight of the album. Its frantic tempo, wild guitar work, and infectious energy make it one of the more straightforward punk songs on Music for Pleasure, recalling the raw power of Damned Damned Damned.
“You Take My Money”: This track marks a departure from the straightforward punk formula, with a slower tempo and a more complex arrangement. The song’s quirky rhythms and psychedelic undertones make it one of the more experimental tracks on the album, showcasing the band’s willingness to explore new sounds.
“Creep (You Can’t Fool Me)”: Another song that hints at the band’s future experimentation, “Creep (You Can’t Fool Me)” features eerie guitar effects and a more atmospheric, gothic tone. Vanian’s dark, theatrical vocals are particularly notable here, prefiguring his shift toward a more gothic persona in the band’s later albums.
“Don’t Cry Wolf”: A fast, aggressive track with a driving rhythm and snarling vocals, “Don’t Cry Wolf” is a classic punk rocker that retains the energy of their debut. Its catchy, repetitive chorus and punchy guitar work make it a fan favorite.
As with much of their early work, Music for Pleasure features lyrics that reflect the anti-authority, rebellious ethos of punk rock. Songs like “Problem Child” and “Don’t Cry Wolf” express themes of youthful defiance, nonconformity, and rejecting societal expectations. The Damned have always incorporated a sense of humor into their music, and Music for Pleasure is no exception. Tracks like “You Take My Money” and “Creep (You Can’t Fool Me)” feature sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek lyrics that poke fun at societal norms and personal relationships. Some of the more experimental tracks on the album, such as “You Know” and “Creep (You Can’t Fool Me),” feature lyrics that incorporate surreal, psychedelic imagery. This abstract, atmospheric approach to lyricism is a departure from the more straightforward aggression of their debut and points toward the more gothic, moody direction the band would later explore.
Vanian’s distinctive vocal style, which blends punk aggression with a more theatrical, gothic flair, is a key element of Music for Pleasure. His vocals on tracks like “Creep (You Can’t Fool Me)” and “You Know” showcase his evolving range and hint at the dark, dramatic style he would fully embrace in later albums.
James’s guitar playing is central to the album’s sound, blending fast punk riffs with more experimental, psychedelic elements. His raw, distorted guitar work on songs like “Problem Child” and “Stretcher Case Baby” reflects his punk roots, while tracks like “You Take My Money” and “Creep (You Can’t Fool Me)” reveal a more adventurous, melodic side.
Scabies’s drumming is fast, aggressive, and precise, driving the energy of the album. His relentless playing on tracks like “Don’t Cry Wolf” and “Problem Child” keeps the tempo high, while his more nuanced drumming on songs like “You Take My Money” adds texture and depth to the album’s more experimental moments.
Music for Pleasure was the first and only album to feature Lu Edmunds on guitar, adding another layer to the band’s sound. His contributions help expand the sonic palette, particularly on the more experimental tracks.
Upon its release, Music for Pleasure received mixed reviews, with some critics and fans finding it less immediate and impactful than their debut. However, in hindsight, the album has come to be appreciated for its experimental nature and as an important transitional moment in The Damned’s career. While the album is primarily a punk record, its exploration of darker, more atmospheric sounds laid the groundwork for The Damned’s later evolution into gothic and post-punk territory. Tracks like “Creep (You Can’t Fool Me)” foreshadow the band’s shift toward a more gothic aesthetic in albums like Phantasmagoria (1985).
Music for Pleasure stands as a snapshot of a band willing to push beyond the strict boundaries of punk rock. Though it didn’t achieve the same level of success as their debut, it remains an essential part of The Damned’s legacy and a bold statement from a band that refused to be confined by genre limitations.
Music for Pleasure by The Damned is an important, if often overlooked, album in their discography. While it didn’t receive the same acclaim as their debut, its experimental approach and willingness to push the boundaries of punk rock make it a key transitional record in the band’s evolution. With tracks like “Problem Child” and “Creep (You Can’t Fool Me),” the album showcases both the raw energy of early punk and the more ambitious, genre-blurring sound that would define their later work. For fans of punk rock and post-punk, Music for Pleasure offers a glimpse into a band at a creative crossroads, blending rebellious energy with the seeds of future innovation.
Limited edition of 1000
Drastic Plastic Records
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Problem Child
Don’t Cry Wolf
One Way Love
Politics
Stretcher Case
Idiot Box
You Take My Money
Alone
Your Eyes
Creek (You Can’t Fool Me)
You Know
