Artwork
by Odandiee
OFFICIAL: http://www.therealhooksband.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/therealhooks/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/therealhooks/
Written
by Lydia Stewart
The
underrated power of The Real Hooks is in full effect on their latest single
release “Damn You”, but more of their qualities jump out at listeners than just
the youthful rush of their music. “Damn You” proves to be a playful and
intelligent exercise in crafting top class pop music with just enough muscularity
to imbed itself into listener’s memories. It’s a genuine family experience as
well. The band is fronted by lead guitarist and singer Kyle Hooks, but the sum
is greater than any of the individual parts and the innate chemistry shared by
the lineup is not just a product of shared DNA, but the result of gifted
musicians and songwriters who make the hard work of creation sound joyful and
effortless. This is an accomplishment worth mentioning alone. They also show a
tremendous willingness to grow. The new single is the by-product of
collaborating with songwriter Mark Spiro, a decorated craftsman whose work has
been featured by artists as diverse as REO Speedwagon, Luis Miguel, and Anne
Murray – among many others. This is a can’t miss song from a can’t miss band.
It’s
fascinating how they bring everything in such spotless accord with each other.
The guitars are there, undeniably so, but this isn’t a band who goes in for
empty histrionics. The drumming is equally tasteful. It certainly has an
urgent, romping quality, but it connects with all the right points and never
approaches the busy sort of drumming that amounts to overkill on songs like
this from lesser artists and bands. The harmony vocals are never laid on too
thick and, instead, well placed within the song’s framework to send the track
even further skyward. This is straight up pop rock, but it’s never so rugged
that it possibly excludes listeners – instead, there’s a wealth of melody here
that sounds like something blossoming from them naturally rather than an overly
crafted and heavy handed attempt to win the audience’s favor. They have,
likewise, a freshness in their vocal approach that sets them firmly within a
tradition, but it glows with enough individualistic beauty that you’ll likely
feel you’ve never heard anything quite like this before.
Grade: A+
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