Danko Jones has built a reputation as a high energy rock machine that doesn’t care about being fancy. They focus on a sound that sits right between the garage rock of the early 2000s and the “muscle” of 80s arena rock. If you aren’t familiar with their history, the first thing you notice is the energy. It’s a blue-collar approach to music, where the goal isn’t to show off technical skills, but to make sure the listener is moving. The production on this release is incredibly crisp. The vocals are front and center, delivered with a “swagger” that reminds me very much of Michael Starr from Steel Panther in some ways, but without the parody/comedy lyrics. There is an effortless quality to the singing that fits this style perfectly. While the lyrics can feel a bit hollow in certain spots, and the vocal placement in the choruses doesn’t always hit the mark, the overall vibe carries the weight. Overall, in the musical aspect the band keeps it simple. You won’t find complex time signatures or mind-bending solos here. Many of the lead lines simply follow the vocal melody, which can feel a bit repetitive if you’re looking for technical flair, however in many parts, the guitar does lean into those classic 80s pentatonic leads which add a noticeable layer of flavor to the mix. Nevertheless, these songs are party anthems. They carry a heavy 2000s era nostalgia, that feels tailor made for a high energy movie scene and ultimately, the classic skating games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series, which I personally grew up playing and was always very fond of the soundtracks it featured. While listening, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that this music belongs on a game like this and was even amazed on how it hasn’t happened already. It really captures that exact energy that defined the genre’s golden age. It’s the kind of music that is hardwired into your brain if you grew up in that era. While they don’t offer crazy musicality, they are masters of their craft. It is pure, high-energy rock that is meant to be played loud and, in that context, they are more than great at exactly what they do.
♦ 7/10
Panos Niko
