Machine Gun Etiquette

Machine Gun Etiquette was my introduction to this extraordinary band and what an introduction it was. I'd heard dribs and drabs throughout my lifetime but never a full album. I cannot over-emphasize enough just how much this album blew my balls off. For weeks and weeks I shuffled around like a junked up maniac, headphones enbedded into my eardrums, with this album as my drug. It opens up with a very subtle "Ladies and gentlement, how do?" and then it's straight into the proto-hardcore punk of "Love Song". This really sets the tone but don't get too comfortable as no more than two minutes in it's onto the Stooges-esque "Machine Gun Etiquette", heavier, faster and somehow shorter than it's bigger brother. Depression never sounded more joyous next in the 60's tinged "I Just Can't Be Happy Today", a nice u-turn from the opening two tracks underlined with a brilliant over the top organ solo. This album reminds me of being out on the town with a coked-up buddy, constantly tripping over themselves to get the next sentence out. You're only starting to get into the brilliance of "Melody Lee" before it stops, there's a cry of BOLLOX! and you're thrown into another punky classic "Anti-pope". This one should be noted for it's cleverly crafted double tracked bass-breakdown mid-section, culminating in one almighty payoff. The fairground dementia of "These Hands" provides a breather of sorts next, and by god you're gonna need it as it's one hell of a ride to the finish line from here on out. The highest point of the album so far comes with the sauring "Plan 9 Channel 7", the albums first real classic and one which really hits the sky at it's most intense. Special mention must go out to the lyrics on the next one "Noise Noise Noise", an obvious dig at your everyday punk man who's daily routine involves beating up his parents and kicking dogs. The only real low point(if you even could call it that) is on the inspired but flawed cover of MC5's "Looking At You". I say this because they use the exact same formula as "Anti-pope" whereas they break down a song and build it back up. It doesn't work here because as it's done so well in the first place it feels redundant, still not a bad song by any means. Normal service is resumed next with "Liar" which includes a cracking bass-line and one of my favorite lines ever, "I'll smoke your last cigarette and say someone else did". Every song on this album is so catchy and performed with such a high level of intensity that it's easy to forget to stand back and enjoy the musicianship. Captain Sensible had just hung up his bass and stepped up to the role of guitarist and piano/keyboard player after Brian James' untimely departure, and what a sublime job he does. Same can be said for Rat Scabies, the showy drummer who seems to put in a fill every two seconds. Sounds excessive but it suits this album down to the ground. If the whole album up to this point has been a pleasurable listen (and it certainly was for me) then what's served up next will be the icing on the cake. Although the title of the albums closer reads crudely "Smash It Up Parts 1&2", crude is a million miles away from what they accomplish here. Remember this is 1979 and The Damned are billed as a "punk band", there were a lot of purists around who probably didn't take kindly to the songs structure, "You can't have an instrumental, you're in a punk band!" Part 1 is a gorgeous fusion of guitar and bass with sends you drifing along for a blissful two minutes before part 2 takes over and carries you triumphantly to the end. I firmly believe this to be one of the greatest albums ever made. I'd hesitate to call it a great "punk" album because there's so much variation on offer, as is the same with The Clash's brilliant "London Calling". It barely takes it's foot off the accelerator and there's not a bad song to be heard, you know the score.

This album along with 2 others (Damned, Damned, Damned and The Black Album) are what I consider to be this band's defining albums. Released in 1979, this album literally defies a definite classification as it crosses punk with a bit of metal and rock and throws in some crazy overtones in the process; it is, quite simply an absolute classic (I don't care who says anything to the contrary). This album goes from a 100 mph to 150 mph and then goes into a strange comical circus trip for 3 or 4 mins, then into rock mode and then some!!! Its just a powerhouse of raw energy but slightly off the beaten track and shows the band for what they really are and, that is, a really talented bunch of guys who, when they put their heads together, can really deliver the goods. Its the kind of album that you dont just need to play it at your sister.......................... you should play it to everyone and say, "listen to some real music instead of todays tacky corporate, conveyor belt gravy train of sickly pop !!!!!." I bought the original album back in the day (and still have it) which I only played once and recorded on tape to play rather than risk damaging the vinyl) which I would never sell but, I'm so glad I bought this with all the extras; with it being remastered, giving the listener extra tracks (some never before released and other rarities) and also having a lot of information in the booklet etc., this is well worth it!!! A FANTASTIC ALBUM AND A GREAT BUY !!!!

I used to have this on vinyl years ago and decided it was time to own it again. A first rate album and every song is great and some even better than I remembered. It is exactly the same (artwork wise) as the old vinyl LP from years ago. There are no bonus tracks or anything, which for me is no problem because it's good to hear the songs all following on EXACTLY as you remember them. Great memories just no crackles! (which I kinda miss!) The only grumble I have in fact is that it is so thin and more like a CD out of a box set, ie no jewel case. Apart from that though, it's well worth buying again.

excellent

Great album from a great band they mightve jump started punk but like the stranglers and the clash they are so much more. Forget the safety pins, that was a flash in the pan with little impact. Listen to the music forget the fashion statement.

Another punk classic

Machine Gun Etiquette is a great punk album, i would say one of the best that do stand out from the variety of punk albums, i love punk and it's rawness and what it has to say be it political or not, the damned to me are a fantastic value for money band that still shows others how to do it and still write and produce their own stuff, Machine Gun Etiquette is a pinnacle of achievement, why not also try their GRAVE DISORDER album, that album is a great return to form. I personally would not listen to matherfacker from england, stating that they (The Damned) are crap and need money, perhaps he/she is too versed to the current climate of well thought out pop/rock gems from the likes of West life,Blue,Mariah Carey,Whitney Houston,Barry Manilow and Take That. And if i had the choice between working the 9-5 day job or carrying on in the band i'd rather be treading the boards anyday so i do suggest MATHERFACKER to stick to your day job as you sound redundant.

I have just bought this album on cd and it sounds as fresh as when i bought it in 1979 as a spotty young punk!great music is timeless,and this is great music.i love this recording it is loud,clear and full of bass,the way it should be!if you're looking for an introduction to the damned, machine gun etiquette will do the job!buy it then play loud!!!!!!!!!! Like the cardboard cover,a mini replica of the original lp sleeve with the inner sleeve,that came with the original lp.enjoy

Tout simplement l'un des 20 plus grands disques de rock n roll de l'histoire ! Entre Kick out the Jam et le Live at Leeds ....

Lively 40 plus year old album. Still gets you moving. If you don’t move listening to this you are already dead. Already a very accomplished band that is always creative and has no fear of being different. A classic.

タイトル通りです（笑）。 セックス・ピストルズやクラッシュは高校時代に聴いてましたが、何故かダムドだけはスルーしてしまっていました。 チズウイック・レーベルからの再結成第一弾ということで、同レーベルアーティストのモーターヘッドからの影響も多分に感じさせつつ、疾走感溢れる素晴らしい楽曲群です。 日本のパンク系バンドに対する影響って、実はこのバンドが1番だったんではないかと思うくらい、初めて聴くのに、なんかどこかで聴いたような、懐かしい感じもしました。 とにかくカッコいいですよ❗️ 今更ながらおススメですw

Du très bon Damned, sans doute leur meilleur. Seul la reprise du MC5 n'est pas terrible, sinon l'album est au TOP. Energie et rock'n'roll au RDV, donc. 18/20.

It’s The Damned, ‘nuff said.