CD REVIEW: DAMON JOHNSON – Echo

Label: Double Dragon Records

Date: March 21, 2016

Rating: 9/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

Damon Johnson is one of those guys that seem to be attached to everything I dig – from his early days with Brother Cane to his days with Alice Cooper and Thin Lizzy to his most recent project Black Star Riders.  Now Damon comes at us full on with an EP of five tracks with him on guitars and lead vocals with drummer Jarred Pope and bassist Tony Nagy in tow.  Opening track “Dead” is a straight on rocker that carries a chugging groove from open to close that supports a steady lead vocal.  The bottom end is heavy and anchors this track well even when the chorus kicks in and seems to want to take flight.  “Nobody Usin'” takes a nod from the opening song and chugs along nicely.  The vocals are tight and well matched to the vibe of the song.  The bass is solid and the drums are heavy handed, giving this a harder edge.  “The Waiting Kills Me” slows the tempo slightly and allows Johnson to demonstrate his softer, yet bluesy side.  The chorus is catchy and keeps you engaged while the guitars add little nuances and riffs tucked nicely in the mix.  “Scars” marries a cool rock vibe with a ballad sentiment that swirls around and builds through the verses and explodes at the chorus.  This is one of my favorites on the collection, as it showcases Johnson’s guitar work and his underutilized vocal ability.  Closer “Just Move On” takes us out as strong as the opening tracks brought us in, with a riff that sounds like it was written for the next Rolling Stone record.  The vibe of this track is all rock and roll, without the frills and tricks.  After listening to this EP, it is obvious that Damon still has a ton of great stuff to share with the world – hopefully we won’t have to wait too long!

Tracklisting: Dead – Nobody Usin’ – The Waiting Kills Me – Scars – Just Move On

DAMON JOHNSON LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

ITUNES

Category: CD Reviews