Black Flag - Damaged (1981)

Founded by guitarist/songwriter Greg Ginn, Black Flag exploded out of L.A. in 1981 with a debut album so confrontational that MCA Records refused to release it, stating that Black Flag was 'immoral' and lacking 'redeeming social value.' When the album finally came out on Ginn's own SST label, it was clear why MCA recoiled, as Black Flag's skinhead look and hardcore sound signaled a new chapter in punk--and rock in general. With Henry Rollins's venom-dripping vocals leading the way, the album features such hostile teeth-gnashers as 'Rise Above' ('Try to stop us/It's no use'), 'Six Pack' ('I got a six pack, and nothing to do'), and, of course, 'Life of Pain.' --Billy Altman





Perhaps the best album to emerge from the quagmire that was early-'80s California hardcore punk, the visceral, intensely physical presence of Damaged has yet to be equaled, although many bands have tried. Although Black Flag had been recording for three years prior to this release, the fact that Henry Rollins was now their lead singer made all the difference. His furious bellow and barely contained ferocity was the missing piece the band needed to become great. Also, guitarist/mastermind Greg Ginn wrote a slew of great songs for this record that, while suffused with the usual punk conceits (alienation, boredom, disenfranchisement), were capable of making one laugh out loud, especially the protoslacker satire 'TV Party.' Extremely controversial when it was released, Damaged endured the slings and arrows of outrageous criticism (some reacted as though this record alone would cause the fall of America's youth) to become and remain an important document of its time.





01. Rise Above

02. Spray Paint

03. Six Pack

04. What I See

05. TV Party

06. Thirsty and Miserable

07. Police Story

08. Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie

09. Depression

10. Room 13

11. Damaged II

12. No More

13. Padded Cell

14. Life of Pain

15. Damaged I





Audio quality is 320 kb/s