The Damn Truth
The Damn Truth
Spectra Musique
Released: March 14, 2025
Montreal’s The Damn Truth are about to release their fourth full-length album
Following up on a great record is always going to be challenging, that’s the truth, but somehow The Damn Truth’s new self-titled record has managed to edge their previous record, Now Or Never.
For those with a short attention span – look, I’ll make this real simple. This right here, this is The Damn Truth at their absolute best yet. That’s the quick version of it, and you can read on to find out why or just go buy the record.
Right from the first seconds, this album delivers uplifting head-nodding, neck-wrecking good tunes. Holy Moses, every single time I start this album I get a tingle down my spine. Not only are the riffs and bass lines thunderous, the drums thumping, and the lyrics powerful and delivered on massive lungs – but all of it is so contagiously happy and uplifting too.
See Also: Hood Rats “Cold As Ice” Review
I don’t know how they do it album after album – taking the hardships of life and making them feel bright and full of sunshine. That although that dark cloud is looming above us, it’ll be alright. Taking topics that we can all relate to, making them intimate and personal but always on a very human level – so perfectly relatable.
Emotion in abundance. This is akin to my childhood, when my parents would throw on a Fleetwood Mac record and I’d sit there and let it permeate me. I don’t think they ever knew how much growing up in a household that played records loudly on the turntable on Saturday mornings has influenced my existence, how much it would guide me through my own life. How could they have. Well, I get that same feeling when listening to The Damn Truth.
How weird is that – to feel nostalgia for my own childhood through a record that hasn’t even been released yet. The power of music has never ceased to amaze me. The Damn Truth never cease to amaze me.
From the get go, Bob Rock’s trademark big, powerful drum sound is evident – in fact, the entire production is impeccable. Yuge! As great as these songs are, as well written as they are – from the bass lines, through the guitar riffs, drum beats and the incredible vocals – Bob Rock’s production really brings that full package together and puts it over the edge. This record is absolutely massive sounding. An absolute wall of power.
I’m constantly blown away by the amount of passion that vocalist Lee-la Baum puts into her singing. It’s almost unearthly. Maybe heavenly. At times Baum booms with sheer power, and when the tune calls for it, can show vulnerability in her earnest yarns from days of old. You can feel how genuine her lyrics are. So much range, so many styles and nuances. Baum makes Montreal proud every time she raises a microphone to her lips.
Opening with the incredible Be Someday, a song that sounds as if it had already begun before it has, if that makes sense, hurtles the listener right into the action at full speed and instantly shows exactly what is it to come the rest of the way. It is a massive song, with all the elements needed for it to be a hit track – which I don’t for a second doubt it will be.
With a monstrous chorus hook, Be Somebody is but the first of many instances where the audience, be they in a concert hall or driving their car, or even riding a bus somewhere, will want to shout along, fist pumping in the air – on second thought, maybe those bus passengers might want to exercise some refrain less they get kicked off said bus.
On If I Don’t Make It Home, guitarist Tom Shemer unleashes an epic solo that would make Slash from Guns N’ Roses jealous. Topped off with a massive chorus that will have you screaming along, thinking of your own family and our own impending demise – but in a positive way, somehow.
Whether it is a good hard rocking tune you’re after, or a rock ballad – or just straight up good music, this is it right here. When The Damn Truth get nominated for a Juno later this year, and if there is any justice left in this world they will – remember I told you it would happen way back before this record even came out!
This record is damn near perfect and that, my friends, is the damn truth!
Read More:
>> The Damn Truth announce slew of Quebec shows
>> The Damn Truth “Now Or Nowhere” Review
>> The Pretty Reckless “Death By Rock And Roll” Review
The new record will be available a few days after its official release date when The Damn Truth head to Montreal’s Mtelus on March 26 for what is sure to be one hell of a party. Copies of the record as well as previous albums will be on sale …plus you get to see two of Montreal’s best rock bands live! Yeah! Not only are The Damn Truth playing, but Mountain Dust will be opening the show!
This fantastic new record is available as of March 14th through Spectra Musique (click here les amis). Do yourself a favor!
