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Rating: 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.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
05 Heartbreak's a Blessing (02:54)
How many times did I let it slide by
when the boys got the pick of the best
I didn't know what to do
I couldn't pick up a clue
going home all alone in my bed
I was a high school loser never made it with a lady when I did
I got the best
She knew it all taught me everything but what I learned
best lesson was when she left...
I learned
Heartbreak's a blessing
But you don't know it then
It likes to mess your mind up
Heartbreak's your best friend
I need a woman just like I need a hole in my head
I got a wall going 'round my heart
I see my friend's go through trouble and when trouble's around
it always leads to a girl in the end
I didn't know it'd be this hard to find
Never knew it'd take this long
But if I'm gonna have to wait
I'm gonna wait
I'll probably die an old man alone
Heartbreak's a blessing
But you don't know it then
It likes to mess your mind up
Heartbreak's your best friend
When I see a pretty lady
walking down the street
My eyes get overtaken
my knees get weak
I can talk the talk
but I'm easily tempted
Resisting a good looking
woman
ain't so easy in the end
I need a woman just like I need a hole in my head
I got a wall going 'round my heart
I see my friend's go through trouble and when trouble's around
it always leads to a girl in the end
I didn't know it'd be this hard to find
Never knew it'd take this long
But if I'm gonna have to wait
I'm gonna wait
I'll probably die an old man alone...
I like that
Heartbreak's a blessing
But you don't know it then
It likes to mess your mind up
Heartbreak's your best friend
07 Strut (02:49)
Baby Baby's looking better than fine
She's got a brand new dress and she's ready to shine
got her heart broke by some silly guy
Didn't know who the hell he had but she found out just in time
So tonight don't look for Mr. Right
You strap those tight pants on and walk in a straight line
Got the home field advantage cause you're one of a kind,
Pick yourself up leave your self doubt home and just...
Strut Strut...Turn the streets into your catwalk
So Baby who cares if you got your heart stuck
Stuck on a boy who only brought you bad luck
There's no reason for you to feel all bad
If the boy don't want to keep you just make him wish he had because...
It's Friday night and you ain't quite right
You got your back against the wall
But your head ain't on too tight
When you break your heart bad there's someting you outta know honey
One monkey don't stop no show so...
Stut Strut.. Turn the streets into your catwalk (x3)
Get out and get ready
To tell the world that you've arrived
Before you take it outside Baby
Remember to do it in style
Noody cares about second best
Noone will know if you're too shy
Nothing gets done sitting on the fence
The hottest thing you got is confidence
Strut Strut
Strut Strut
10 The Cross (02:21)
I love the smell of burning bridges
Can't help but bite the hand that feeds me
I love to raise my middle finger
It's become a habit I'm gonna keep
But I'm calm
I'm cool headed
But if I only could
you know I Goddamn would...
NAIL YOU TO THE CROSS
NAIL YOU TO THE CROSS
NAIL YOU TO THE CROSS
NAIL YOU
Each time I see your face I get a headache
Something about you makes me sick
It's plain disgust that makes my hands shake
Your face needs to make friends with my fist
But I'm calm
I'm cool headed
But if I only could
you know I Goddamn would...
NAIL YOU TO THE CROSS
NAIL YOU TO THE CROSS
NAIL YOU TO THE CROSS
NAIL YOU
(Solo)
NAIL YOU TO THE CROSS
NAIL YOU TO THE CROSS
NAIL YOU TO THE CROSS
NAIL YOU
But I'm calm
I'm cool headed
But if I only could
you know I Goddamn would...
NAIL YOU TO THE CROSS
NAIL YOU TO THE CROSS
NAIL YOU TO THE CROSS
NAIL YOU
12 We Sweat Blood (02:58)
I'm into never stopping
I'm making no sense
But I can never sit still I keep on riding
When you're fast asleep I'm working all night
I never sleep either I'll take a break when I die
Every drop is precious
Makes you want to cry
Bring me close to the edge dare me to die
Can't call it driven when you're driving
It's easy to stay awake when your blood is boiling
You want to know why?
WE SWEAT BLOOD
WE SWEAT BLOOD
If I could sleep with eyes open I damn well will
Some people need a push I need a sleeping pill
I like to cut through bull shit with my mouth as a knife
I'd like to stick it to you 'cause it only feels right
Every drop is precious
Makes you want to cry
Bring me close dare me to die
Can't call it driven when you're driving
Easy to stay awake when your blood is boiling
You want to know why?
WE SWEAT BLOOD
WE SWEAT BLOOD
WE SWEAT BLOOD
WE SWEAT BLOOD
I wish there was 80 seconds in a minute, 90 minutes in an hour, 60 hours in a day, 500 days in a year
'Cause every drop of blood and every bead of sweat and every night awake each day to slave away
WE SWEAT BLOOD
WE SWEAT BLOOD
WE SWEAT BLOOD
WE SWEAT BLOOD
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