Album Club - Week 133: 18/02/2014: The Damned - Phantasmagoria (1985)

[Album Club]

Dave (synsei) has been kind enough to choose an album for us this week's. Thanks a lot Dave.
Please enter into the discussion if you wish to vote, and listen to the entire album before commenting.


The Damned - Phantasmagoria (1985)










Wiki: Phantasmagoria is the sixth album by The Damned, released by MCA records in July 1985. Special editions were available on white vinyl or picture disc, some versions included a free 12" of their No. 3 hit Eloise.

After much wrangling, the Damned received a new contract with MCA Records in October 1984 (past member Captain Sensible's hit solo career helped) and recorded the album in Eel Pie Studios between March and June 1985. It reached No. 11 in the charts, and was the band's highest charting album ever. The non-album single "Eloise," (a Barry Ryan cover), released six months later, became a huge UK hit reaching No. 3.
The Damned centred the entire album around David Vanian's deep voice, giving much of the album a gothic feeling. "Edward the Bear" is a light pop tune sung by Roman Jugg. The album is currently out-of-print in North America but was remastered and reissued by Geffen Records in Japan in 2007, which features replicas of the LP's outer and inner sleeves and the CD's label resembles the white vinyl edition.

This is one of my favourite albums from the 1980's and marked the maturation of this creative outfit but sadly many of the bands hardcore fans saw this release as a sellout to commercialism. Although Phantasmagoria sold well the bands early reputation for inciting their fans to trash live venues didn't sit well with the main stream audience which is probably why they have never enjoyed the same level of success with subsequent album releases.

All tracks by Vanian/Scabies/Jugg/Merrick, except where noted

1. "Street of Dreams" – 5:38
2. "Shadow of Love" – 3:51
3. "There'll Come a Day" – 4:15
4. "Sanctum Sanctorum" – 6:27
5. "Is It a Dream" (Vanian/Scabies/Jugg/Merrick/Sensible) – 3:27
6. "Grimly Fiendish" (Vanian/Scabies/Jugg/Merrick/Doctor) – 3:50
7. "Edward the Bear" – 3:37
8. "The Eighth Day" – 3:46
9. "Trojans" – 4:53

[Barry]

I used to have this record - bought in the mid '80s when newsagents everywhere were selling off LPs for £1.50! I am puzzled however, because I'm certain my copy contained the track "Eloise" - that was what attracted me to the LP in the first place, as well as by the cover artwork (photographed by the late Bob Carlos Clarke).

It was interesting hearing it again Dave, but it seems to be very much of its time and am reminded of why I gave my copy away. I doubt I would play it much if I still had it.

5/10 from me.

[Bazil]

I never bought anything by the punk band The Damned but they were a big name at the time and very visual with prominent characters DV and CS.
I wasn't aware of anything by them after Punk had ended except for the brilliant cover of Eloise which stands as one of the best covers ever.
Listening to this I can see why their fans were unhappy, but to survive you have to evolve, a shame it is so typically Spandau/Depeche/Duran 80ish, there is nothing from that period/sound I like. Its all right, very easy listening and there is a break from "Tony Hadley" with Edward the Bear but then he comes back on The Eight Day
I was going to give this 3 or 4 but its gets elevated to a big 6/10 because of a very nice instrumental ending track "Trojans" which I have played thrice!

[Bazil]

I used to have this record - bought in the mid '80s when newsagents everywhere were selling off LPs for £1.50! I am puzzled however, because I'm certain my copy contained the track "Eloise" - that was what attracted me to the LP in the first place, as well as by the cover artwork (photographed by the late Bob Carlos Clarke).

It was interesting hearing it again Dave, but it seems to be very much of its time and am reminded of why I gave my copy away. I doubt I would play it much if I still had it.

5/10 from me.

Australian versions did.

[sparrow]

10/10 from me...So far from their punk roots but simply a superb album..My fave by the band.

[Tarzan]

A big fat 10/10 from me also, a great album, brings back some happy memories.

[pjdowns]

I really like this album, so much so I have ordered it straight away from Amazon, thanks for the recommendation Dave

[Audioman]

This strangely has the same title as an earlier album by Curved Air. However I will give this a try- sure I must have heard some of it before. More inclined toward prog than punk though.

[high.spirits]

Great album cover.
I found this a very 80s record and vocals remind me of Tony Hadley - not a fan.
I quite liked the "Grimly Fiendish album edit". But not on my listen again list 4/10. Sorry Dave.

[Tarzan]

Try it again Martin as the album is a bit of a slow burner.