Captain Sensible "The Masters" Eagle Records EAB CD 101 1998 (68:27)
While Wrecking the Car (4:18)
Bob's Brown Nose (5:38)
Neverland (3:21)
The Stately Homes of England (3:23)
Smashing the Chains (2:49)
Mr Brown's Exploding Wallet (5:08)
Monty's Revenge (7:37)
Mr Farmer (5:35)
The Lottery Love Rat (5:37)
One Hit Wonders (4:17)
The World of Matilda Free (6:26)
Cigarette Sandy (1:19)
Happy Talk (4:33)
Wot 1 (8:27)
Captain Sensible (guitar, vocals), Monty Oxy-Moron (organ, synthesizers, drums on 1), Sir Dangerous Dave (bass, B&B), Garrie Dreadful (drums, growlers) with Jennie and Rachel from Fruit Machine (backing vocals) and Sarah Molz (additional vocals on 1)
Overall impression: excellent! I must admit I've had a warm spot deep in my heart for the Damned for many years, I love practically everything they've done from '76 to '96 and just about everything from Sensible since his solo debut in the early 80's. Captain Sensible was bassist/guitarist from the beginning up 'til around 1984 when he embarked fully on his solo career. "The Masters" is a re-release of Sensible's most recent solo album, 1996's "Mad Cows & Englishmen" (with the addition of two live tracks, "Happy Talk" and "Wot 1"). Captain's psychedelic tinged power pop cranks up the guitar and carries on where the Damned left off in the early 80's around the time of "Strawberries". The songs are well written and executed, complete with female backing vocals and horns on several songs, organ/keyboards and several Hendrix-like solos. As usual, Captain covers/pokes fun at several topics: politics, the rich, religion, the royal family, England, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, the lottery, animal rights/vegetarianism, and "one hit wonders" (which, technically, Captain is himself), all in the typically cheeky Sensible style. In between songs are humorous samples of various radio and tv programs too. Of Sensible's half dozen or so solo albums to date, this one is his best and is rapidly becoming one of my all time favorites. You can't walk away from this album in a bad mood, the Captain's carefree, funloving, all smiles attitude seeps right into you. Has the Captain found the secret to eternal youth? Possibly so ... he looks and sounds about the same as he did 20 years ago! More power to him ...
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