THE DAMNED - DAMNED DAMNED DAMNED (2017 REMASTERED)

It's inevitable; music that was part of the counter-culture becomes classic rock.

February 18 marks the 62nd birthday of Damned mastermind Brian James, and the 40th of the band's album, Damned Damned Damned. Providing vigorous tracks with a title that makes mincemeat of article word quotas, this work is a joy for critics. The music is also great for the punk neophyte, the impetuous consumers of tomorrow, and anyone who likes their music loud.

The machine-gun etiquette that informs all Damned albums is here in unalloyed form. This is in the same pit as The Stooges, The Velvet Underground and The Ramones. New Rose still shines. Its influence on Millionaire by Queens Of The Stone Age is irrefutable - a masterpiece, itself from over a decade ago. If you don't already own Damned, Damned, Damned, get hold of it in any way you can. Don't deny it, just embrace it.

9/10 - Angus Rae