by Rinjo Njori

Island Records


Boston's Damone (artfully named after the Fast Times At Ridgemone High ticket scalper and babe stealer) have been through a lot since the release of their RCA debut, From the Attic. Most notably they have had to confront mortality, a key line-up change, and loss of confidence and focus on the band by their old label. Most bands would have called it a day. However, Vazquez (the singularly named bassist) recovered from his near death experience (an aneurysm) and songwriting and production duties were assumed by new guitarist, Mike Woods. After getting through the rough patch, based on the strength of their new material, they were signed by Island Records soon after they "got released" from there contract with RCA.

Damone's debut album From the Attic wasn't exactly ground breaking: a pop punk band fronted by a cute singer, think - Juliana Hatfield fronting Simple Plan. The long term chances that there would be a demand for this hybrid going forward were pretty slim. So, the band disposed of the generic "Good Charlotte riffs" and bass lines and incorporated Iron Maiden-like leads and rhythm guitars. Gone also are the slightly aggressive, wannabe Hatfield punk vocals, which are replaced with a "less British" Saffron (Republica), mixed with they typical female singer from the early 80's new wave scene. What little remains, besides 3/4's of the band, is sadly the same old cliché'd high school lyrics (drinking, smoking, crashing parties, getting dumped, etc) and what can best be described as an identity crisis. Thankfully, they make up for this with a hard rocking album.

Damone kicks through "Now is the Time", "Out Here All Night" and "What We Came Here For." The band perfectly melds 80's era Motley Crue riffs, Maiden solos, and very determined singing by Noelle. Out Here All Night is how you want every hard rock album to start off. Then for whatever the reason Damone virtually kicks the metal to the curb with the track "On Your Speakers." Noelle even yelps out a "Whoa-oh" which could pass for vintage Become What You Are-era Juliana Hatfield. On the one hand, they seem to have mastered the musical style that Hatfield's various backing bands have provided for her insane lyrics, but this shift betrays the solid base they built over the first ten minutes of Out Here All Night. Luckily, there is only a handful of songs that venture back into this territory.

On "Outta My Way," Damone would have you believe they are the second coming of 80's metal. There one stab at arena rock is capable, but it lacks that "cock rock" swagger that bands like the Donnas naturally possess. The banter right before the solo is borderline stupid. Bassist Vazquez lackadaisically asks any chick at the (virtual) party to make out. Noelle's reaction is painful and over rehearsed.

Out Here All Night boasts no less than three producers, which might account for the uneven performance the band gives on this record. The "No You Di'int!" moment arrives on the closing track. Thankfully we can probably lay the blame for the "Evanescene'd" version of Maiden's classic "Wasted Years" on producer David Spreng (at least I would like to think so). "Wasted Years" is a beautifully produced song, but a band that is trying the elevate itself from pop punk cardboard cut outs shouldn't be demonstrating it technical mastery of the acoustic guitars, but rather turning up the volume to 11 and letting it rip.

Noelle and Vazquez write most of the lyrics for Damone. At times it's painful hearing an 18-year-old singing songs about getting left on the corner, telling her ex that he is losing the best thing he will ever have, or standing outside of bars. Damone seem to be going for a more mature sound, but their youth is self evident in the lyrics. Damone lost it's first guitarist and Vasquez almost lost his life. Only on "New Change of Heart" does the lyrical content reflect their trials and tribulations in any way obvious. They seemed more plagued by the guys/girls that have done them wrong in the romance department.

Damone obviously has some talent. Their arena rock chops are there, but the mellow stuff creates a big distraction. They need to drop the Hatfield and add just a little more Hetfield. If Damone focuses, there is no reason why they can't be very a successful and acclaimed hard rock band. Island's push will likely ensure the former, but it'll be up to the band to work hard for the latter.