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 Ed Price, posted by blog admin

The irrepressible bounce of The Real Hooks’ music has been undeniable from the first. The band initially debuted in 2009 and success came early, but their profile increased exponentially with the 2012 release of their debut EP. Subsequent peaks have followed – most famously, the band was jettisoned off an important tour with pop star Aaron Carter after Carter believed his opening act was stealing the spotlight from him thanks to their impressive live performances. There were challenges following that moment, but the band has come through each time thanks to their innate familial talents and the willingness of important and talented music industry figures willingness to place their faith in an act that has tremendous commercial appeal as well as featuring top notch musicianship. They added more firepower to their arsenal by opting to work with outside writers and “Damn You” shows what kind of quality results this decision has produced.

Guitarist and lead singer Kyle Hooks is the nominal focal point of the band and with good reason. He has a voice seemingly groomed for pop stardom and his musical skills are closer to that of a multi-decade veteran than what they are a young performer while still bubbling with youthful energy and charisma. The band makes excellent use of harmony vocals throughout the course of the track, however, and it lends an even brighter hue to the bounce that this track shows from its first notes on. Vocalist and oldest Hooks sibling Nick has a natural rapport with his brother Kyle, but drummer Raleigh Hooks may be the band’s secret weapon. His drumming, much like Kyle’s vocal and instrumental skills, certainly doesn’t sound like those of a young performer. He shows a great ear for figuring out what this song needs without ever overstating his percussive presence.

The humor that comes along with the songwriting has a slightly bittersweet edge, reflected by its title, but the mood is never so fraught that it drags the song down. People will want to move when they hear this music and vocal and surely a smile will cross their face at key points in the performance. The song has an ideal length and stellar construction that never bites off anymore than it can chew. The sure hand that the band exhibits on “Damn You” will entrance many audiences and draw them into the family’s musical world with a warm, inviting glow. There’s immense style here and pure pop rock artistry, but there’s also musical substance that bodes well for the band’s bright future. The Real Hooks are continuing on their inexorable upward ascent and one gets the feeling that the road ahead is much clearer for them than it has been in some time. Casual fans and music devotees alike will appreciate the skill and emotion they pour into this outing and clamor for more.