Released 40 years ago
In Sickness & In Health
Demented Are Go · 1986
35 min · 14 tracks · punk rock
A raucous blend of psychobilly and punk rock, fueled by irreverent energy and dark humor.
Top tracks — play these first
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Pervy in the Park — This track exemplifies the band's signature blend of catchy melodies and risqué lyrics, capturing the playful yet macabre spirit of psychobilly.
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(I Was Born a) Busted Hyman — The song's outrageous title and energetic delivery highlight the band's penchant for shock value and irreverence, making it a standout track.
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Transvestite Blues — This track showcases the band's unique storytelling ability, combining humor with social commentary on identity and acceptance within its lively rhythm.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album captures the chaotic energy of early psychobilly while maintaining a punk rock edge.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a cover of 'Be Bop a Lula', setting a high-energy tone that persists through the first half.
- Tracks like 'Pervy in the Park' and 'Holy Hack Jack' feature rapid tempos and aggressive guitar riffs, typical of punk rock.
- Several tracks incorporate dark humor in their lyrics, which are delivered with a raw vocal style that matches the chaotic instrumentation.
- The final track, 'Don't Go in the Woods', slows down slightly, providing a contrast to the preceding frenetic pace.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of frenetic energy
- playful irreverence and dark humor
- for rowdy gatherings
- engaging sing-along moments
- consistent energy from start
Maybe skip if you
- prefer long, immersive tracks
- want slow, introspective vibes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1986, In Sickness & In Health was Demented Are Go's debut album, following a series of successful live performances that established their reputation in the psychobilly scene. At this point, they were gaining traction in the UK underground music scene, setting the stage for their influence on future psychobilly bands.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Cramps· Tiger Army· The Meteors
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Pervy in the Park
The chorus repeatedly juxtaposes innocent park imagery with cheeky innuendos, creating a stark contrast that defines the track's playful tone.
This lyrical choice highlights how the band subverts expectations, transforming mundane settings into scenes of wild abandon and mischief.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Be Bop a Lula 2:10
- 2 Pervy in the Park 2:25
- 3 (I Was Born a) Busted Hyman 3:09
- 4 Holy Hack Jack 2:14
- 5 Frenzied Beat 2:07
- 6 Pickled and Preserved 2:04
- 7 Crazy Horses 1:51
- 8 Transvestite Blues 3:27
- 9 Rubber Buccaneer 2:48
- 10 Vibrate 1:52
- 11 Rubber Love 2:49
- 12 Nuke Mutants 2:55
- 13 PVC Chair 2:00
- 14 Don't Go in the Woods 3:44
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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