Black Flag are undoubtedly one of the best best hardcore punk bands of all time. The band emerged from obscurity in 1977 with a compilation CD Everything Went Black with Keith Morris, latterly of the Circle Jerks, fronting the band. Morris soon left, leaving Henry Rollins to eventually front the band after a few stand ins. In the Summer of 1981, Black Flag recorded the Damaged l.p.- one of the most important punk albums ever made.
Band members for Damaged:
Greg Ginn: lead guitar
Dez Cadena: rhythm guitar
Henry Rollins: vocals
Chuck Dukowski: bass
Robo: drums
Rollins truly stands out and makes this album what it is, with his powerful yet sometimes amusing vocals, displayed on such tracks as TV Party, where the whole band add their own vocal talents to the mix. Although the instruments are utilised in a rather basic fashion for the most part, there are some good riffs to be found etcetera. Also, some of the technical work of Greg Ginn on the lead guitar is certainly commendable but still not exactly jazz fusion. But hey, this is hardcore; it's the overal feel of the album that makes it.
Individual Track Reviews:
1. Rise Above: 2:26
A true classic with meaningful lyrics. A catchy riff at the beginning that continues throughout the song, leading into Henry Rollins' powerful vocals with the rest of the band shouting in the background. Later in the song comes an excellent scratchy solo from Ginn. One of the best songs on the album - 5/5
2. Spray Paint: 0:33
This song is only a thirty second skit and has nothing particularly amazing about it. It's too short to be any good and is just Rollins shouting to some repeated powerchords. Don't judge the whole album on this by any means - 1/5
3. Six Pack: 2:20
A good intro with a bit of bass and then Rollins talking about his great six pack. It is not an amazing song by any means, but it keeps up a good tempo and again has some good solo work by Ginn. The rest of the song is a solid combination of a quick drumbeat and a steady rhythm guitar and bass riff - 4/5
4. What I See: 1:55
Again, solid vocals from Rollins and the rest and an excellent intro with an interesting bass line. An interesting rhythm makes it a worthy listen - 3.5/5
5. TV Party: 3:31
Along with Rise Above, the best song on the album. A great riff, fun vocals and lyrics combine to make a great song - 5/5
6. Thirsty and Miserable: 2:05
Cool guitar at the beginning leads into a caucophony of Rollins shouting and superb soloing from Ginn and Cadena. A very good song and the most technical on the album (guitar wise) - 4.5/5
7. Police Story: 1:32
Quite a letdown really. There is nothing spectacular about this song but it does keep up the fast hardcore pace built up from the previous track - 2.5/5
8. Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie: 1:47
A steady drumbeat leads into some hard hitting guitar work and vocals, more than making up for the previous track - 3.5/5
9. Depression: 2:28
An excellent fast-paced hardcore anthem, combining the angry ramblings of Rollins with some good scratchy wails from the guitars - 4/5
10. Room 13: 2:04
Another hard hitting punk song, in many ways similar to the previous song, thus building up a good pace. Rollins once again stands out on this track, rabidly yowling "keep me alive" repeatedly. Another good song - 4/5
11. Damaged II: 3:23
Another good intro, this seems to be what Black Flag are good at. It is very similar to the previous two songs, and certainly keeps up the momentum. Good stuff - 4/5
12. No More: 2:25
The drumming at the beginning of the song lasts for a minute before the real song gets started. The long intro is really too long (over a minute) and really lets down an otherwise exciting hardcore song that doesn't really have time to go anytwhere - 3/5
13. Padded Cell: 1:47
A return to form here; an angry mix of fast guitar, heavy drumming and of course, Rollins. Just under two minutes of pure bile; an excellent song - 4.5/5
14. Life of Pain: 2:50
A nice slow intro cools things off a bit from the last song. However, the song soon kicks into gear. However, this song isn't as musically varied and interesting as the previous - 3.5/5
15. Damaged I: 3:50
A sluggish and thudding song that never really seems to go anywhere. It has the same pattern throughout and doesn't speed up. It's sort of an anti-climax, but maybe that's good at the end of such a fast and visceral CD - 2/5
An overall excellent CD, with the better tracks more than compensating for the weaker ones. A superb hardcore listening experience.
