The Damage Manual
>1
Invisible Records
Chris Connelly, Jah Wobble, Geordie Walker, and Martin Atkins fill the Damage Manual’s roster list. Damn it. I know this album is great. I can hear it. I’ve probably played >1 at least two or three dozen times already, trying to find a missing piece. I know the back-catalogs of the participants. I cannot begin to explain how many times I’ve listened or watched In Case You Didn’t Feel Like Showing Up from Ministry over the years, or listened to Killing Joke’s Extremities, Dirt, and Various Repressed Emotions while burning under a hot Southern Sky. I could spend a page listing all the albums that the various members of the Damage Manual have recorded that have been long time favorites of mine. The fact of the matter is that for me, there is no missing piece in the raw essence of the music. The problem I have found is the mix. I mean no disrespect to those involved in the recording of the album, as I happen to really like those that I’ve met. The mix of the first six tracks is flat out wrong.
Now, before anyone sits down and gets all huffy that I’ll state this fact, I must state again that it is great music. The mix just doesn’t contain a full range of frequencies. I think my ears are going to bleed with the high-end on this one live. I’m sure of it. Cash willing, I’m going north for the show this summer in Chicago. I know it can be mixed better live. You know how I feel so sure? “Blame and Demand” is remixed into “M60 DUB,” and it comes together.
So, what’s my verdict? Hell yes buy it, and then go to the show. Look at who’s in the band? You’d be a dumbass not to!
Invisible Records, P.O. Box 16008, Chicago, IL 60616; http://www.invisiblerecords.com
