Released 17th September on Bad Taste Records
I’ve been lamenting lately, for the days of balls out rock. For years rock music filled stadiums, the radio waves and our hearts with passion, defiance and the spirit of not giving a fuck. Women, alcohol, drugs and fame were consumed with abandon. We might not have lived up the standards of those heros but through them we lived. We stood alongside them on the stages, in the magazines and television screens.
Their music was a form of catharsis. Chances are your life sucked, but by identifying with the rock stars, release and escapism was found. This is what we miss. Somewhere along the line rock became watered down, more palatable for the masses. I don’t want to hear you crying on stage about how you can’t get the girl, or how tough school life may be. Through identifying with the wet excuse rock became you too would be lowered to their level. No thanks. Not this man.
Like a shining beacon of salvation, Danko Jones return with hard riffs, anthemic lyrics (just try to listen to ‘legs’ and not sing along), a love of women and rocking their fans to the core. This is not a polished work or art. Neither is it a perfect form of song writing, but thats not the point. Rock & Roll Is Black & Blue is an album jammed with what I honestly believe are songs that are sung from the heart. Its nice to hear the progression of musical prowess whilst at the same time they’ve not lost sight of writing a track that rocks. There’s no orchestras or excessive electronic processing here.
Its nice to hear some nods to the past, ‘Always Away’ is reminiscent of ACDC’s ‘Thunderstruck’, not a rip off, more of a homage. If I had to offer a criticism, I’d say that sometimes Danko’s vocals don’t quite hit the spot. Saying that, I just don’t care. Maybe its the excitement of listening to some fresh rock and roll but I really have been carried along on the crest of their wave.
Another thing about this album is that it could all be performed live. There’s something pure about that.
How Danko Jones have remained underground is a mystery to me, we can only hope the Rock & Roll Is Black & Blue will lift them to the loft heights they deserve. If you’re looking for growling guitars, hard beats, honest lyrics and rolling bass lines, buy this album. If you’d rather sit and weep in angst, shut up, listen to this shit and walk tall.
Gillan Williams
The Basics of Punk Rock Music