Four years after the release of their third project Now or Nowhere, The Damn Truth recently returned to the fray with The Damn Truth, their fourth opus in a career spanning almost 12 years. With their eponymous album, the Montreal band proclaim loud and clear that they deserve their place among the current elite of the Canadian rock scene.
The contribution of director, musician and producer Bob Rock, also known for his work with Metallica, Mötley Crue & Bon Jovi, is evident from the very first moments of the full-length. The essence of ’80s and ’90s rock is omnipresent; Lee-La Baum (vocals/guitar), Tom Shemer (guitar), PY Letellier (bass) and Dave Traina (drums) offer a sound that’s more mature than ever, navigating perfectly between nostalgia and the present. “Be Somebody” sets the tone for the curtain-raiser with its heartfelt acoustic guitar and one of Baum’s catchiest choruses on the project.
With the pedal to the metal, the band follow up with the excellent “I Just Gotta Let You Know” and “Love Outta Luck.” The latter is the very definition of rock ‘n’ roll: punchy drums, driving electric guitar, fiery bass and a wild vocal performance from the singer.
A little later, the string of tracks “All Night Long,” “The Willow” and “Addicted” is one of the highlights of this new offering. It is during this sequence that the band strays furthest from rock clichés. The Damn Truth excels in its niche, but shines brightest when its members push the boundaries of their playground.
Rock fans, there’s no better way to encourage home-grown music. The Damn Truth will be celebrating the release of their latest gem at MTELUS (Montreal) on March 26, then at L’Anti (Quebec City) on the 28th. To find out more, click here.
