Black Flag

One of the most important punk records ever recorded, Damaged exploded on the world in 1981 as Black Flag's first full length and as an introduction to ultra man Henry Rollins. Just the first 30 seconds of "Six Pack" (not to mention the rest of it) remain archetypal in the genre decades later. Rollins was clearly born to front Black Flag, Greg Ginn was clearly born to mangle the guitar and Chuck Dukowski's bass playing, well, just listen to it. From the get-go, Black Flag was harder and heavier than anyone else. Listen to this record enough and you'll be punching mirrors.

Although the B side drags more painfully than I bet was intended, this is powerful stuff. Greg Ginn is the greatest noise guitarist since Johnny Thunders, new vocalist Henry Rollins can snarl along any tortured contour they serve up, and "Rise Above," "Six Pack," and the uproarious "TV Party" prove they can write songs as well as gnash fragments. Inspirational Verse: "I wanna live/I wish I was dead." (Grade - A-)