This Canadian foursome have been kicking up a storm since their debut album, over nine years before this, their 3rd self-titled album. Their work ethic has seen them almost constantly on tour & let me tell you, on stage they deliver with an exciting vibe that is contagious. Front woman Lee – La Baum has an aura about her that demands your attention; think Grace Slick, Janis Joplin. It is not all free love and flower power though, as they capture the feel of the early late 60’s and early 70’s.
An amusing story is how Lee-la and lead guitarist Tom Shemer first met, they were both naked at a hippie festival not far from the Sea of Galilee (where the Bible says Jesus walked on water). “Yeah, totally naked. Just Lee-La and her guitar,” Tom adds. “And we’ve been together ever since. No pretensions. Nothing to hide. Just love.”
I better get to songs on this new record, legendary producer Bob Rock was heavily involved, pushing and guiding The Damn Truth into new directions, without distracting from the essence of the bands style. Rock was so impressed with Lee La’s vocals that she was largely recorded live and almost dangerous.
I have mentioned the naked guitarist. The other members, no pun intended, are bassist PY Letellier and drummer Dave Traina. I am going to get sidetracked again because I have to mention just how powerful and awesome they are on stage. As a collective, they ooze confidence, charisma and everything else you need for ROCK GOD status.
The album begins with the cleverly infectious ‘Be Somebody’; lyrically, you think it is about becoming famous or important. It begins with a jangly acoustic intro before Baum’s impassioned vocals take the song over, delivering the line “I just Wanna Be Somebody – In Love”. From this opener, the record bursts with brilliance. Yess, the vocals are dominant, but the lead guitar work from Shemer is bristling with feel. The bass and drums of Letellier and Traina enhance everything, making it all sound so pure. Just listen to the groove that the bass & drums provide on ‘Love Outta Luck’ before we get an admission from our vocalist “, I Said Some Things That I Shouldn’t Have Said”! Then we get a great, concise guitar solo, it is perfect!
Most of the eleven tracks are under the 4-minute mark, ‘If I Don’t Make It Home’ exceeds this as it creates an epic blues-rock feel in the shape of something Lynyrd Skynyrd might do; it is going to become the centrepiece of the live show!
Song after song, I become more blown away, ‘Better This Way’ proves this point, lightly countrified, with a hint of Stevie Nicks or Ann Wilson, which is remarkable. Like so many bands from Canada The Damn Truth are on the precipice of greatness. They are raw, honest & naked with a distinct power in all areas.
‘Addicted’ sees the sound incorporate a pulsing funky groove with LA Baum mixing in some rap-like lines. Throughout, there is more than enough to enthuse and capture the imagination of any listener. Album closer ‘The Dying Dove’ begins with a Hammond Organ sound then erupts before falling to something far gentler, before rising again, that voice given room to expand and breathe. Making this album is not just good but fucking fantastic from start to finish! 9/10
Review: Paul Mace
RELEASED FRIDAY 14 MARCH 2025 via Spectra Musique.
“THE DAMN TRUTH”
TRACK LISTING1. Be Somebody
2. I Just Gotta Let You Know
3. Love Outta Luck
4. If I Don’t Make It Home
5. Better This Way
6. Mirror Mirror
7. All Night Long
8. The Willow
9. Addicted
10. Killer Whale
11. The Dying Dove