Danko Jones
We Sweat Blood

THE REVIEW

A solid punch to the head and neck. That's more or less the feeling that seems to have hit us after the curious listen to "We Sweat Blood" by the Canadians Danko Jones. The second listen, however, is more focused on other purely musical elements (such as guitars, vocal lines, drum rolls), no longer relying on mere power, and leaves you fully satisfied. From the third listen onwards, the listener becomes proudly part of the trio, doing a solitary headbanging to each of the 12 songs on the album in question. A crazy marriage between AC/DC and Kiss, with Motorhead as witnesses. Simple and fierce guitars, vitriolic voice, basic yet sustained rhythms, distorted bass. This is the Hell to which His Majesty Danko Jones has assigned us. The journey begins with "Forget My Name", which immediately clarifies the coordinates of the album, followed by an electrifying "Dance", a song with one of those choruses that replay all day in the listener's head. The third circle of hell, pardon, song, is "I Love Living In The City", another frontal assault on the streetwise neurons of the purchaser who, in 2003, has the fortune to listen to an album that could easily have been released in the 80s. Following is the very violent "I Want You", perhaps among the best on the album. A more steady drum intro opens "Heartbreak's A Blessing", a track more spoken and slow than the others, while the usual formula returns with the following "Wait A Minute", with muted and fast guitars, minimal riffs, and a simple (rhythm-wise) and driving drum.
"Strut" opens with a punkish rhythm and Lemmy-like voice, giving way to "Home To Hell", another fast song supported by perpetually muted guitars and a hoarse and charismatic voice from the flamboyant Danko. "Hot Damn Woman", another gem of the batch, does not deviate in the least from the street-smart background of the power trio, strongly reminiscent of the Young brothers' band. Almost satanic and directly from a record by the angriest Motorhead is "The Cross", up to the Kissian "Love Travel", with a sustained and steady rhythm section. Closing this infernal rock tour of the Dantean circles drawn by Danko Jones and company is the title track, "We Sweat Blood", a darker and more introspective song (as introspective as a song from this album can be), supported by a distorted bass and a more piercing voice than ever.

A fierce and utterly enjoyable album of healthy and simple rock and roll, that cannot be missing from the shelves of lovers of a certain type of music, ranging from Motley Crue to Hardcore Superstar, passing through Backyard Babies and Turbonegro. And at the same time, a compact and solid group, that live is a true spectacle based on a very basic formation (guitar, bass, drums, voice), and on a leader that's at least "particular". My rating is 4 stars, enjoy it!

G. C.