Originally released in 1977 and produced by Pink Floyd's Nick Mason (Shel Talmy was going to be the original producer but recording sessions broke down so Nick was brought in) It was quickly panned by music critics and disowned by the band themselves. On this second release the band are joined for the first and last time by second guitarist Robert "Lu" Edmonds (Brian James insisted he join). There are a few gems among them Politics One way love Problem Child and Help (Beatles Cover). I have heard in a few audio interviews done by Rat Scabies the band originally wanted Pink Floyd's Roger "Syd" Barrett to produce the album he may have said yes but pulled out at the lasr minute. On a side note the Sex Pistols also wanted Roger "Syd" Barrett to produce their album Never Mind The Bollocks but declined or something along them lines. After this release the band broke up in early 1978 and reformed in late 1978 this time without Brian James or Lu (who I think left anyway because he wasn't liked much by the rest of the band) and in 1979 released their definitive and classic album titled Machine Gun Etiquette. While Music for Pleasure isn't a favorite among many people its a million times better than Not of this earth from 1996 aka I'm alright Jack and the beanstalk.

This album gets a bad rap, perhaps it just came around at the wrong time, the first wave of British punk was on its way out and this was probably too progressive for the time, however it is a great album by one of the greatest punk bands ever!! That's no understatement, although much more melodic than it's predecessor, it still rocks and features great tracks such as Stretcher Case, Don't Cry Wolf, and Problem Child. I highly recommend this album to anyone who has even a passing interest in the Damned or if you want to hear what punk really sounded like before Green Day and Blink 182.

The first Damned album, 'Damned Damned Damned' is considered a classic punk rock album and rightly so. What I can't figure out is why their second album, 'Music for Pleasure', doesn't get the same treatment. Their songs are just as raw and ferocious on this disc as on the first one. Brion James hasn't left the group yet, and they're nowhere near the 'goth' sound they got into later. This is great late-70s punk rock, which any fan of the Sex Pistols, Clash, Dictators, Heartbreakers, Saints, Ramones, and of course the Damned should own. "Problem Child", "One Way Love", "Don't Cry Wolf" are top notch, but every song is solid. Twenty plus years later, and it still will annoy your parents.

Music For Pleasure is certainly not the best thing that the Damned have ever come up with, but it is still a pretty good album. What it lacks is the raw energy of the first album and the creativity of their later albums. At this point (1977 to be exact) guitarist Brian James was still the main songwriter, and although he wrote a lot of great songs it seems that he was actually stifling the potential of the band; Captain Sensible, David Vanian, and Rat Scabies turned out to be incredibly creative individuals who were willing to experiment with new atmospheres, something which is not evident from the Brian James period of the band. Also, it has been suggested that Nick Mason, the producer of the album (not to mention the legendary drummer for Pink Floyd) was not really certain as to what the Damned wanted. Regardless, this is still a good release and an asset to the band's catalogue of records. Stand out tracks are "Problem Child," "Don't Cry Wolf," "Stretcher Case Baby," "One Way Love" (with some cool slide guitar), and "You Know." The bonus tracks are a pleasant listen as well, particularly the band's cover of the Beatles' "Help." The presence of guitarist Lu Edmonds is not particularly evident on this release, but that does not exactly tarnish Music For Pleasure. For all who appreciate the Damned and great music in general. Will appeal particularly to fans of 60's rock.

Recorded in August 1977 at Britannia Row Studios and released three months later, the band banked on producer Nick Mason (the first choice to spin the dials was reportedly Syd Barrett) digging back into the early years of Pink Floyd for a new mix to a punk scene that was losing its underground edge....though it failed to deliver the ambitious vision, the album actually set a path for the post-punk revival.

Guitarist Brian James composed or co-wrote 10 of the original 11 tracks, with the standouts being the punchy "Problem Child," "Politics" and "Creep (You Can't Fool Me)." The pair of longer songs - "Idiot Box," "You Know" - set an intriguing and rough template, but Mason's "clean" sound keeps the power from launching to great heights.

The artwork by Barney Bubbles cooly captures the vibe from vocalist Dave Vanian, bassist Captain Sensible, drummer Rat Scabies, saxophonist Lol Coxhill and guitarists Lu Edmunds and James. Though the album failed to chart in the U.K. and the band was dropped by Stiff Records, it was a call for substance over the style of safety pins on a jacket. No future, indeed.