The Damned - Not Like Everybody Else (2026)
This feels like a band revisiting the records that built them. The energy is genuine, and you can hear the affection in the performances. It’s clearly meant as a tribute rather than a reinvention.
But that’s also the limitation. The songs largely stay within their original shapes, so the band rarely asserts a strong identity over them. The album moves from one familiar garage-rock structure to another without much escalation or reinterpretation.
It’s enjoyable in the moment, especially if you love the era they’re referencing. But as an album experience, it feels more like a respectful homage than a compelling artistic statement.
Energetic.
Affectionate.
Ultimately minor.
Pros
Genuine affection for the source material
You can hear the band enjoying these songs. The performances feel enthusiastic rather than obligatory.
Veteran chemistry
Dave Vanian’s voice and the band’s playing still lock together with confidence after decades.
Raw garage energy
Several tracks carry a lively, scrappy punk pulse that keeps the record from feeling sleepy.
Cons
Identity dilution (covers limitation)
Even strong performances still belong structurally to the original artists.
Predictable song architecture
Classic 60s rock forms dominate, leaving little room for surprise.
Narrow energy field
Most tracks operate in the same upbeat garage groove, limiting escalation across the album.
Genre: Post Punk
Country: UK
Final Verdict: 58% (Forgettable Album)
Yearly Ranking: 200th / 221
Highlight: Making Time
Made me think of:
The Cramps
The Fleshtones
The Kinks
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