Released 22/03/10, Suitside Records
We have a lot to thank Italy for. Leonardo Da Vinci and his secret code, Roberto Baggio, Super Mario, the Mafia (but not Lisa Maffia), and of course, the deity of all foods, the pizza. As well as Monica Bellucci, and that chef guy from The Simpsons. But other than Luciano Pavarotti, , Italy isn’t too well known for its musical output. Enter Damien*, from the town of Pesaro. The asterisk doesn’t mean anything, it’s just kind of there. Also, anyone who may be expecting some death metal with Satanic overtones because of the band’s name will have to keep their sacrificial lambs for another day, although there is something of an unfinished pentagram on the album cover, but there will be none of that here so put the meat cleaver down and listen up. Damien* have achieved something of a cult (not that kind of cult) following thanks to some good old fashioned word of mouth and some good new fashioned e-word of mouth in blogs and web radios. They have graced the pages of Artrocker and Altsounds, and this, Crippled Cute, is their second album. But is it good enough to break the sacred oath of omerta for?
Who do they sound like then? Hard to narrow it down. Some songs have the out-there vocal style of MGMT in front of the bite and intrigue of Pixies without the screaming, but these are only generalisations. Opening track 'On Ice' has a nice opening riff, and a healthy plethora of hooks. And though Italian, they sound downright English. This wouldn’t be out of place on NME or Kerrang! DAB radio, but isn’t perhaps so universally appealing to be on Xfm, unless picked up by the sage ear of the legend that is John Kennedy. A good start then. Second track 'Unaware Unaware'(which can be downloaded for free by the way, and anything free must be good) has a more electronic beginning, but gives way to the guitars almost immediately. Again it’s solidly reliant on the hooks and sharp lyrics, but it needs no more than that. It’s a pretty boss indie rock affair, and I’ll repeat, can be had for nothing from the right places. 'Courtship' is slower, more delicate without ever being held down to a whisper, but still holds the ear throughout, and when it picks up the pace halfway through becomes somewhat euphoric. Hooks aplenty, three songs in and there is more going on here than at a Michael Barrymore pool party.
'Confidants' is fresher, simple and utterly bouncy. First melody driven, then bass driven, it’s the easiest song so far, definitely the most pop, but possibly the strongest. 'Storyboard' is more effort, but still impossible to dislike, especially when the tempo is upped at the end. 'Lesser Thoughts' is more deliberate, somewhat sinister at first, but while the instruments grow into a snarl, the lyrics remain controlled and seemingly detached. It’s completely captivating, but in a not so obvious way. 'Twisted Realm' doesn’t quite match up, however. It’s still a better effort than some of the tripe some bands come up with, but it doesn’t seem to flow as well as the songs before. But where it falls, 'Softcore' catches it. A true head nodder, or toe tapper for the more reserved, it’s a real joy to listen to, despite the fact that it isn’t truly flashy or showy, just very upbeat.
'You Bombonniere' is more heartfelt, optimistic, atmospheric, almost devoid of the bombast from before. It’s a word I hate to use, but it’s nice to listen to. Not sexy, or dirty, but far from plain and further from ugly. 'Night Rush' is similarly effortless, but again is more considered and constructed, and it’s hard to know which is better; the carefree, hookalicious side or the laid back, delicate side of Damien*, as they are so damn good at both. Final track 'Starting Fires' returns to the former of these, heavier on the guitar and not letting up for a second. It’s a hell of a way to finish an album, and ends it like it started; in a blaze of glory. There’s definitely enough here to get Damien* noticed, so keep up the guerrilla word of mouth actions and pass it on.
8/10
Posted In Album Reviews, Mar 27 2010.
Words - Paul