Customer Reviews

Below the Belt

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been a BIG Danko Jones fan since I heard "Baby Hates Me" several years ago. But, my frustration has been always been that the albums since the awesome "BORN A LION" have not been very consistent. Don't get me wrong, there are some GREAT SONGS on each album - they just haven't been very solid from beginning to end.

This is where "BELOW THE BELT" comes in to finally give us the album to rival "BORN A LION"! This thing is powerful and FULL of the attitude and confidence we expect from a Danko Jones album! Each blistering track gives you something different and the production is dead-on. (Sounds great in headphones too - I've been listening to this album while running).

It's also worth mentioning, and I'm not sure that any "real" Danko fan would truly be offended - but I've heard some saying they were disappointed with his use of occasional "foul" language on several of the tracks. I know this hasn't been common on his past albums, but I personally think it's OK here and (mostly) works to improve the material and attitude of the songs.

Either way, this album just really feels like the band's been energized with new purpose and the quality of the material and performances demonstrate that!

Make sure you get the digi version for the 2 Bonus Tracks -- and grab the vinyl version while you're at it -- Highly recommended!!

What can I say ? It's Danko Jones ! Straight forward rock and roll with GREAT replay value. This album is as good as Born a Lion and We Sweat Blood. At least it's not a repeat of Never Too Loud -- which did a few redeeming songs but...Anyway, if you want to get into the Danko, start here - you won't be sorry, then check out We Sweat Blood, Born a Lion, I'm Alive and On Fire, Sleep is the Enemy, and the B-sides collection even rocks ! And lastly, if you can't get enough- this could happen - ha ha !, get Never Too Loud. And that'll do it ! -- You will LOVE the Danko ! Enjoy! But start here - you won't be sorry !

"Below the belt" was my introduction to the sound of Canadian hard rock artist/band "Danko Jones". Having been labelled as hard rock by the press, in addition to the super stylish album cover, made this a very intriguing purchase.There is a good number of bands that attempt to play classic hard rock nowadays, going back to the 70s-early 80s formula, yet "Danko Jones" definitely stands as one of the most effective, if not the best at it.

What separates this band from most traditional hard rock bands is that beyond the classic riffs and production they 'spray' every note rock-star attitude. This comes mainly down to Danko himself, laying the lead vocals and guitars, he is a vital part of the overall sound. His vocals carry the very essence of attitude fuelled hard rock a style that proves consistent regardless of the mood or tempo of each track. His guitar playing ranges from hard rock riffs to sleaze rock rhythm parts while the majority of solos are well thought and very interesting for the listener.

The rhythm section of bass player John Clabrese and drummer Dan Cornelius fully recreate classic rock rhythm patterns, serving as the foundation for the band's classic rock sound. Plus, the production, for that matter, is really thick being ideally balanced between high, mid and low range.

"Below the belt" is a very convincing and therefore enjoyable classic hard rock record, with its standouts being probably songs with fast paced lyrics and playful guitar riffs, including the opener "Thinking bad thoughts", "Active volcanoes", and "Full of regret".

The album proved a very pleasant surprise from a band that evidently is built for classic hard rock; Regardless of musical labels, if you are looking for an album built on rock-star style with all the extravaganza that comes with it, then "Below the belt" is in order! Really exciting work.



"Rockhard" Greek magazine (issue 51) marks this album with 8/10 commenting: "If you fancy listening to an album for a really good time, get `Below the belt'."

BELOW THE BELT WILL GET YOUR ATTENTION !!!
CAUSE NOBODY OUT THERE RIGHT NOW IS KICKING IT LIKE THIS.

I WAS JUST RECENTLY TURNED ON TO DANKO. I LOVED IT. DANKO DOESNT HOLD BACK ANYTHING, AND HAS NO APOLOGIES FOR HIS LOVE OF JUST PURE IN YOUR FACE ROCK. AGAIN ANOTHER ROCKER WHO FLIES UNDER THE RADAR WHILE ALL THAT CRAP GETS RADIO PLAY. DANKO SHOULD BE THE HIGH LIGHT OF ANY MUSIC AWARDS SHOW PUTTING ON THE HIGH ENERGY SHOWS THAT HE DOES.
HIS STYLE MAKES ME THINK OF ACDC BREED WITH THE OFF SPRING. DOES THAT MAKE ANY SENSE? MOSTLY I WAS SURPRISED THAT THIS IS A 3 MAN BAND WITH DANKO LEADING ON GUITAR AND VOCALS AND FROM THE VIDEOS THAT IVE SEEN HE HAS MORE ENERGY THAN A FREIGHT TRAIN. ANYWAY BACK TO THIS CD DANKO STICKS IT IN YOUR FACE HARD AND FAST AND MAKES YOU LIKE IT. SO IF YOUR LOOKING FOR SOMETHING NEW THAT WILL GET YOUR BLOOD PUMPING DANKO JONES WILL DO IT FOR YA.

I listen to this when I walk on my treadmill. It keeps my going even when I want to stop!