The Real Hooks - Damn You (2017)

Artwork by Odandiee

OFFICIAL: http://www.therealhooksband.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/therealhooks/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/therealhooks/

ITUNES: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1227977371?ls=1&app=itunes

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.

The song is tailored to an ideal length and never wastes a musical note. Their lyrical vision, likewise, never wastes a single word thanks to Spiro’s contributions, but it goes beyond that. The Real Hooks play like a band who knew exactly what they wanted to write when they began working on this song and the energy never abates. The humor of the situation is lightly played and the understated bittersweet aspects, as well, are handled with a deft touch. The Real Hooks’ “Damn You” carries on the band’s tradition of writing great material ideally suited for both radio play and the stage.

Grade: A+