Search - Damned :: Mca Singles:A's Thru B's

Treasures for fans of the MCA period

Worgelm | United States | 12/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"B-Sides collections can be interesting but are usually a gamble. In the capable hands of the Damned we end up with an interesting, sometimes obnoxious, diverse but generally excellent collection of tracks. What your tolerance of this album will be depends on how much of a fan of the MCA years you are. Out of 16 tracks, there are ten remixes or extended versions of album tracks and one live track. Most of these are not necessarily annoying enough to ruin the actual songs, although "Is It a Dream(Wild West Express Mix)" and "Alone Again Or" come awfully close. On the other hand, the extended version of "The Portrait" is much better, adding an eerie, ethereal intro to the beautiful instrumental, and "Eloise" has a neat little rocking intro (although the song itself is somewhat clumsily cut up). As for the B-Sides, only the silly, hilbilly "Would You" comes across as a throwaway. There is another excellent atmospheric instrumental in "Year of the Jackal", and another jaunty 60's Barry Ryan pop cover "Beat Girl". The rocking "Nightshift" and "Temptation" reminds me of a slightly-subdued _Machine Gun Etiquette_ - both tracks are excellent. Possibly the album's best track is a live version of "Curtain Call" (the single version, not the 16-minute epic). Worth seeking out, but for fans only. (3-1/2 stars)"

Excellent Damned singles collection

Worgelm | 06/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A singles collection not to be ignored. Showcases the bands A + B singles for the Anything album plus curtain call and others worth a listen."

Probably the best collection of Damned Music

Worgelm | 07/04/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although Damned fans usually hate the MCA recordings of the mid-eighties, this is, technically speaking, the best music the band has ever put on cd. Every track is extremely well produced and catchy which is probably why fans of the punk era damned felt betrayed by it. If you like 80's alternative music like The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, The Mission you'll love this collection."