THE DAMNED: The Rockfield Files (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

This new EP and the second production of the Damned after ten years of frozen silence, is quite evocative. In the spring of 1980, the English took up residence at the Rockfield studios in Monmouth, Wales to record their "Black Album". Two years later, the very underestimated ''Strawberries'' will be wrapped in Welsh cellophane before the group takes its ease in Europe and especially in the USA. A return to the roots that evokes the glory days of the British.

After a rather surprising country introduction, 'Keep 'Em Alive' starts with a fanfare in a spirit close to "Evil Spirits". The Damned still have a punk spirit in a pop-rock body. This catchy and evocative track wins over with its punchy chorus, with Paul Gray's purring bass, Captain Sensible's wild guitar and Dave Vanian's still magnetic voice. The piece ends even in luminous apotheosis. Just like Blondie did on her album ''Pollinator'', the Damned are the voice of an ecological message on the survival of bees.

The Damned have always started their albums well but the sequel has nothing to envy this first attention. If we have often pointed out the aesthetics of the English, we have often minimized their sharp melodic spirit, and this from their first album (on this track 'Black Is The Night' even allows itself some wanderings on the piano during an instrumental bridge). If the line-up has not always been stable, the combo that officiates on this EP, composed of current and former members, respects the specifications. Pinch's boosted drums (he would have left the band again after the recording of this album) bring a hectic rhythm. Captain Sensible is always on the tightrope, no longer hesitating to go for solo ('The Spider And The Fly') and bringing that twilight touch ('Black Is The Night'). Paul Gray's skeletal bass forms the backbone of the tracks and brings a dose of fatality to the album. Rather than anxiety-provoking, the organs and keyboards are sometimes ironic ('Manipulator', 'Keep 'Em Alive'). As for the master of ceremonies, he took out his cape of the great nights. His voice plays with all tones: aggressive ('Manipulator'), caressing ('The Spider And The Fly'), capable of offering refrains that are contagiously memorable.

The rage and the creative eccentricity of the Damned has by no means dried up after this return to the Rockfield roots. These four tracks offer a ticket into the crazy universe of a band that we keep rediscovering after each recording effort. - Official website

THE DAMNED

THE ROCKFIELD FILES

SPINEFARM RECORDS

ROCK