The Damn Truth - The Damn Truth

Release date is Friday March 14th

In March 2025 The Damn Truth release their 4th album, a groove-ridden powerhouse that grabs you by the ears and doesn’t let go till the last number fades away. Named simply The Damn Truth, I find myself intrigued. Why no name for the album, what’s with the psychedelic purple imagery, and what is the damn truth?

If you don’t know who these rockers are, they hail from Montreal and describe themselves as a hard rock band with a hippie soul. Fronted by singer/guitarist Lee-la Baum, you can immediately tell that the 60’s is a big influence on this band, from the loopy fonts on their merchandise to the colourful way that they dress, harking back to the smoky loud ‘blood sweat and tears’ venues they have travelled to get where they are now. This is an outfit that has put in a lot of hours, and with this 4th album show that they are nowhere close to running out of steam.

Their last album, Now or Nowhere, was released  3 years ago amid the fallout of Covid, and it shows that they have used that time to produce this fine new collection. There are no fillers here, each song has layers and complexity that make them each sound like they were crafted to be a single. In fact, hopping around the tracks (thank you streaming services that make this so easy!) each song sounds so very radio friendly. Close your eyes and they could be belting out of your radio right now!

  Photo - Natali Ortiz

However, how hard is hard rock where The Damn Truth is concerned? Having supported ZZTop and other guitar powerhouses, their songs are easily accessible driving rock songs, but with a lighter touch say than Guns & Roses. Their tunes are more soulful, and exist more to bring joy or sadness rather than to stick it to the man. Think more The Eagles or Fleetwood Mac, rather than Stonesour or Alter Bridge.

Opening song "Be Somebody" is a safe opener, with lifting vocals that lead into a welcoming pop chorus. However, it is with "I Just Gotta Let You Know" that things get interesting with an understated ear-worm of an acoustic guitar that repeats a fairly simple line, but don’t underestimate it! This little tune sinks in and doesn’t let go, instantly recognisable and catchy. I also love the way the drums kick in, once again understated at first, but driving into the electrics that suddenly roar to life. It’s a song with a powerful groove that recalls early 70’s rock, along with trademark swagger and wah-wah flourishes.

 Photo - Natali Ortiz

The Damn Truth are Lee-la Baum (lead vocals/guitar), Tom Shemer (lead guitar/vocals), PY Letellier (bass/vocals) and Dave Traina (drums/vocals). 

This is where the album excels, as it becomes a recurring theme. Songs are beautifully layered with a lot going on, but they are underpinned with some great rocking riffs.

Song number 3, "Love Outta Luck", was possibly the standout track for me on first listening, as it is a wonderful powerhouse of sound, opening with a great thumping bass which soon gets ambushed by crushing guitars. How a 4 piece can kick out this much sound is amazing, and a firm nod to the production team as it all sounds exactly right – exciting, pounding and inspired.

Having heard a fair chunk of rock albums over the last few years I may have grown jaded by the tendency for them to go down the same old road . . . I’m looking at you Stone Sour, Alter Bridge and your brethren. Yes the intros and verses are packed with imaginative guitar riffage, but the choruses just seem to blend into one big generic blob of sameness. It felt like rock was stuck in a rut where every song had to fall into the same dismal failure – but not so with The Damn Truth.

No way, for Lee-la Baum seems to have an infinite capacity for belting out new and dazzling lifts with every chorus . . . my faith is restored. It’s a long time since I’ve heard a rock album where the singer doesn’t fall back on tried and tested (and very familiar) styles.

You’re not going to hear anything that shocks or puzzles you with this album, as rock itself is not a ground breaker (see what I did there?) but it doesn’t take things for granted. This band likes to pump out the best it can.

  Photo - Natali Ortiz

You know what you’re going to get with songs like "All Night Long", "Addicted" and "Killer Whale" and they don’t disappoint. But it’s not all pumping belters either, with songs "If I Don’t Make It Home", "The Willow" and "The Dying Dove" making for softer listening . . . close your eyes and imagine the campfire burning as the man plays his guitar.

In a nutshell, if you like energy, perfect playing and beautifully sung rock (with a soul), buy this album. Is it rooted in the past or driving fully into the future? Yes, all of those things! You won’t be disappointed.

Reviewed by Steve Gibson for ReturnToSound