The Damn Truth / A Band Revelling In Irrepressible Creativity
Out now is the eponymous fourth album from uber-talented Canadians, The Damn Truth. The quartet of Lee-La Baum (vocals/guitar), Tom Shemer (lead guitar), PY Letellier (bass) and Dave Traina (drums/vocals) have become regular visitors to the UK and Europe over recent years where their enthralling live performances continue to wow long-time fans and new audiences alike.
The Damn Truth - The Waterfront, Norwich - 24 October 2023. Photo: Steve Ritchie/MetalTalk
Characteristically anthemic, this exquisite release possesses an energy that will transfer effortlessly to and no doubt intensify in that live setting.
The Damn Truth – “An impossibility to absorb it all in just one take.” Coverart
“I’ll be your Freak, I’ll be your Queen, Just give me something to believe in.”
Be Somebody’s gentle acoustic opening shifts as the percussive explosion of Dave’s thunderous drums transform this into a propelling anthem in the vein of an invigorated, latter-day Fleetwood Mac.
Following a brief post-chorus respite, Tom takes the spotlight, soaring into the most enthralling solo, after which Lee-La rejoins to take the song to its euphoric conclusion.
The first single, I Just Gotta Let You Know, is the kind of song that longer-term followers would define as classic TDT. Its busy riff flows into a trademark uplifting chorus.
Second teaser, Love Outta Luck, with its sassy approach, is reminiscent of Beth Hart at her vibrant best. The sound of an energetic band jamming their hearts out with a honky tonk piano adding some vibrant colour to the mix as Tom shreds with seemingly reckless abandon.
“Tell my sister, tell my brother, give up the fight, you know you love each other.”
If I Don’t Make it Home is pure and simply a showstopper. A colossal sound with such an impassioned sentiment, it is everything you could ever wish for in a power anthem. The Choir singing “Take Me Home” does just that as Lee-La invokes the spirit of Janis. One really does need to pause for air after this.
It seems the band agree as Better This Way brings us back to earth in an infective style. This is fresh and melodic, but with that looping riff, it has the charm of an exquisitely crafted pop song.
With a spatial guitar sound allied to the harmony, Mirror Mirror sporadically blends the ingredients that have made U2 and Foo Fighters so appealing.
From here on in, it’s pure quality street. All Night Long is quite possibly the most dashing chanson d’amour one has encountered as it details the exhilaration of a jet-setting love affair.
The third release, The Willow, is another epic. Commencing wistfully with an undeniable New Yardbirds influence, its nostalgic, rustic feel is shattered by a colossal riff and further powerhouse drumming. Just immense.
While many albums possess one such track, two can be considered affluent, but three is most certainly a lavish rarity. More on that shortly.
“I’m so high, I’m so free, here I am, I just wanna be me.”
Addicted gets the muddyfunking funk out. One can just imagine Lee-La prowling the stage, lost in the hypergroove, which itself evokes the dynamism possessed by Prince and his band when they truly rocked out.
This is a living, breathing entity that should be unleashed onto the wider population.
The band revel in the brisk intricacy of the penultimate Killer Whale, and, to reference its title, what a killer hook. The church organ introduction sets an ethereal mood prior to the final showstopper, The Dying Dove, evolving into an expansive anthem complete with the reappearance of the Choir.
It is a tour de force which closes the album in grandiose style.
As an album, The Damn Truth is the sound of a band revelling in irrepressible creativity. The artistry and passion shine as they fuse diverse influences into a sound captured by the legendary Bob Rock that is uniquely theirs.
The charismatic Lee-La gives an exhilarating performance but take nothing away from Tom, PY and Dave, who individually and collectively, are an unbelievably gifted cohesive unit.
The Damn Truth – The Waterfront, Norwich – 24 October 2023. Photo: Steve Ritchie/MetalTalk
Astonishingly, this all weighs in at a mere 43 ½ minutes. Given there are simply so many infectious compositions, dynamic arrangements and styles to ingest and treasure, it is an impossibility to absorb it all in just one take.
Soul nourishing, heartwarming, call it what you will. I have found it hopeless not to get swept along by its contagious joie de vivre.
