Mindless, Directionless, Energy: Live at the Lyceum

Touring for The Black Album could well have been a fun experience for the Damned, but frankly, this album doesn't exactly show that. One Mick McKenna is credited for the recording of Mindless, with the help of the Rolling Stones' Mobile; unfortunately, the piss-poor job of recording done here serves more as an indictment than an acknowledgement. If it was marketed as a bootleg, few would be surprised. Listeners can get beyond the lowered expectations, though. Despite the fact that little on the set list is a surprise -- mainly singles, albeit some of the band's best, such as "New Rose" and "I Just Can't Be Happy Today" -- hardcore fans will still find something to love. The show itself starts with a version of a Damned Damned Damned album track, "I Fall," while the group's reliable cover of MC5's "Looking at You" gets an airing, as does its album mate, "Plan 9 Channel 7." The only Black Album tune that surfaces is "Drinking About My Baby," and even though it's neat to hear a more pumped-up and rocked-out version than the studio one, the recording quality dulls its impact. The most entertaining song, if in an admittedly juvenile way, is the band's cover of "Ballroom Blitz." Recorded as this was in the summer of the royal Charles and Diana marriage, the Captain evidently decided to make things topical in his own way. He therefore introduces it thus, to audience cheers: "This one's for Lady Di -- who's a f*cking slut!" The chorus duly changes to, "She's got great big tits." While it's not reason enough to seek out the album, it does serve as a reminder that not everyone in the U.K. pulls their forelock to the monarch. Those seeking good, live Damned from the band's time would do better to find Live at Shepperton instead.