Music for Pleasure (The Damned album)
| Music for Pleasure | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Studio album by The Damned | ||||
| Released | 18 November 1977 | |||
| Recorded | August 1977 | |||
| Studio | Britannia Row Studios, London | |||
| Genre | Punk rock | |||
| Length | 33:50 | |||
| Label | Stiff | |||
| Producer | Nick Mason | |||
| The Damned chronology | ||||
|
||||
Music for Pleasure is the second studio album by English punk rock band the Damned. It was released on 18 November 1977 by Stiff Records.
Contents
Background
Music for Pleasure was produced by Nick Mason of Pink Floyd. The Damned originally sought out former member Syd Barrett, but were unsuccessful due to his reclusive lifestyle. The album featured new member Lu Edmunds on guitar alongside original guitarist Brian James, as well as guest saxophonist Lol Coxhill.
The album was the last album-length studio release to feature James, who would rejoin the band in the late '80s and early '90s for a live album and studio single. It was also the group's final album release on Stiff. On this album, the band moved into more complex song structures, while maintaining the punk sound of their debut album.
The sleeve was designed by Barney Bubbles (including the cover painting).
Release
Released on 18 November 1977, Music for Pleasure failed to make the UK Top 100 album chart.
Critical reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
At the time of its release, the album was dismissed by critics as a poor misstep.[1] AllMusic's brief retrospective review said simply, "Music for Pleasure is not quite as bad as the Nick Mason production would indicate – though close."[1] Trouser Press opined: "With added guitarist Lu Edmonds and no audible stylistic plan, the attack sounds blunted, and there aren't as many great songs as on the first LP. [...] Music for Pleasure doesn't live up to the title."[2]
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Brian James, except as noted.
| Side A | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "Problem Child" | James, Rat Scabies | 2:13 |
| 2. | "Don't Cry Wolf" | 3:15 | |
| 3. | "One Way Love" | 3:44 | |
| 4. | "Politics" | 2:26 | |
| 5. | "Stretcher Case" | James, Scabies | 1:52 |
| 6. | "Idiot Box" | Captain Sensible, Scabies | 5:00 |
| Side B | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "You Take My Money" | 2:04 | |
| 2. | "Alone" | 3:37 | |
| 3. | "Your Eyes" | James, Dave Vanian | 2:53 |
| 4. | "Creep (You Can't Fool Me)" | 2:12 | |
| 5. | "You Know" | 5:05 | |
| CD reissue bonus tracks | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
| 12. | "Help" (Beatles cover) | John Lennon, Paul McCartney | 1:43 |
| 13. | "Sick of Being Sick" | 2:30 | |
| 14. | "Singalong a Scabies" | Scabies | 1:01 |
Personnel
- The Damned
- Dave Vanian – vocals
- Brian James – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Lu Edmunds – rhythm guitar
- Captain Sensible – bass, backing vocals, slide guitar ("One Way Love")
- Rat Scabies – drums
- Additional personnel
- Lol Coxhill – saxophone on "You Know"
- Technical
- Nick Mason – production
- Nick Griffiths – engineering
References
External links
- Music for Pleasure at Discogs (list of releases)
