See Larger Image |
Phantasmagoria
Artist : The Damned
List Price : $22.99 USD
Your Price : $22.99 USD
ProductGroup: Music
Release Date : 1994-11-08
Studio : Polygram Int'l
Label : Polygram Int'l
Avg. Customer Rating :  (38 reviews)
|
Reviews
Customer Reviews for Phantasmagoria
The Damned's best work
Rating:
All I can say is that back in the day my Hard-core Punk-rocker friends tried several times to turn me on to The Damned. I resisted, as I was a Bauhaus / Joy Division style Goth Rocker and "had no need for their pound-it-out punk rock." One day about 5 of them jumped me, held me down, and put Phantasmagoria on the stereo. I was immediately impressed, and this album remains my favorite work of this '80s phenomenon known as The Damned. They are a band I always recommend, and this album in particular. Lastly, the woman on the cover, in her garb, and in that setting makes her one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen.
Customer Reviews for Phantasmagoria Cd
Goth-schmoth... it's the Damned
Rating:
The Damned did not "abandon" punk for "goth" in 1985. They had already gone beyond traditional punk rock as early as 1979 when they released Machine Gun Etiquette. The Damned were the first on many levels: The first English punk band to release a single, the first to release an album, the first to tour America, the first to break up, the first to re-form, and ONE of the first to take punk beyond it's artistic limitations, and then to brand new uncharted territories.
The Damned had talent in spades. Had they been so inclined, they could have been a self-indulgent prog-rock band. However, they chose to channel their talents into having fun and reinventing themselves on each successive album release. Had the term "gothic" been used in the music industry in 1980, then I'm sure it would have been applied to that year's Black Album... even though that would have been unfair, as it was more influenced by psychedelia. I think it is also unfair to apply that term to Phantasmagoria. The fact that "gothic" music was the newest thing in 1985 has more to do with this categorization if you ask me. Most people were so quick to literally judge the album by it's cover rather than it's true nature, which to me was simply trademark Damned-pop (in other-words, uncategorizable).
Phantasmagoria signaled a new era for the Damned. It was the first proper album to be released without Captain Sensible's input, for one... and it was also the first Damned album to be released on a major mainstream record label. These 2 factors have more to do with the more slick, tame sound. There are other more punked-up recordings of some of these tunes on live albums and BBC showcases (see "The Radio One Sessions"). MCA wanted something a little more "radio-friendly" here. Phantasmagoria did attract a new audience to the band though. I remember the crowd on this tour sporting a lot more black eyeliner and black lace than previous tours. Times change.
Overall, this isn't a bad album... and it's just another chapter in the ever-evolving story of the Damned. The reason this band has remained my favorite band for almost a quarter of a century now is because they never let themselves get stale by making the same old albums over and over. Some albums may be better than others, but no 2 sound the same. I would say Phantasmagoria rates about a 5 on a scale of 1-10 where the Damned's catalog is concerned.
If you're a hardcore Damned fan like I am, then you already know this. If you are a fan of "goth", then you may like this. If you think that the only good album the Damned ever did was "Damned Damned Damned", then you should avoid this one at all costs.
Editorial Reviews for Phantasmagoria Audio Cd
Album Description
1985 album for the British punk legend's. Nine tracks Including the classics 'Grimly Fiendish' and 'Is It a Dream'. Produced by the band with Bob Sargeant (Buzzcocks). Plus 2 Wicked Editions bonus tracks 'Grimly Fiendish (Bad Trip Mix)' & 'The Shadow Of Love (Ten Inches Of Hell Mix)'. 1985 release. Standard jewel case.
|
|
D Artists/Bands 
Search Damned Posters
