DANKO JONES Never Too Loud Track by Track
Friday February 29, 2008 @ 01:00 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff

By Erik Missio

The new Danko Jones album set to drop on March 18 is the hard rock trio's fourth proper full-length. Never Too Loud is pure Danko: Big guitars, wicked drums and bass, and clever lyrics dealing with sex, relationships gone bad, and the life of a travelling band. This isn't to suggest the record's a copy of previous efforts, however. The album, produced by Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Rush) at Dave Grohl's Studio 606, has more of an emphasis on melody and songwriting, without losing the Mango Kid's reputation for rawk.

Danko Jones

Over green tea in Toronto, frontman Danko Jones tells us about the tracks that are ready to assume permanent residence in your brain.

"Code Of The Road"
Lyrics: Been a long time on this lonely road/Nothing comes easy, but it's worth the fight/If you've seen it once, I've seen it twice before/Little by little, mile after mile

What Danko says:
"Originally, we wanted to do a theme record; a concept album where everything was about being on the road. It was a case of 'write what you know.' That quickly changed when a bunch of our songs ended up being about girls. Anyway, the song's about being on the road and the experience you can only have if you actually shut up, go out and do it."

"City Streets"
Lyrics: I know I made my bed, but sad thoughts are in my head/I'm barely holding back the tears/But when I watch the living dead wake up and break their bread/I know it's not for me

What Danko says:
"This is a very personal song. It has to do with friends that have moved on and gone on with their lives. When you come home after a long time touring, you feel detached from the life you left. Anyone who's left for a long period — whether it's for a tour or for teaching in Korea — comes home to a city they have to reacquaint themselves with. Plus, there's a heavy Thin Lizzy vibe."

"Still In High School"
Lyrics: Me and my girl are going to sit here in the backseat and fool around all night long

What Danko says:
"We always get pegged for writing songs about girls, sex and sex with girls. The idea of this song is, 'Well, this is what you think? Here you go.' It's thumbing your nose at that idea. We're very aware of what this song about."

"Take Me Home"
Lyrics: Hit the gas, take the open road/I'm turning on the stereo first thing when I get home

What Danko says:
"It's the last show of a long fucking tour and I just want to get home… to where my records are."

"Let's Get Undressed"
Lyrics: I've got to tell you that there's something that is on my mind/I want to do it, but first I've got to find my spine

What Danko says:
"Yeah, this is the kind of tune we're known for. It's not forceful, though. I'm not that way personally with women, so it's not something I could ever project. Look, if anything, I'm the one who's always getting kicked around."

"King Of Magazines"
Lyrics: Is she for real? It's so hard to tell/She just smiles and her picture sells

What Danko says:
"It's a song in the tradition of Def Leppard's 'Photograph' or Van Halen's 'I'll Wait.' It's the idea of an obsession over an unattainable girl that a lot of rock centres around. In this case, it's about Justine Joli — the hottest porn star around. But, y'know, whatever."

"Forest For The Trees"
Lyrics: And if I never see you again/It'll be too soon to make amends

What Danko says:
"We had talked about getting a guest star on the album and we were in L.A., so there were lots of people around. When we got to this song — the longest one we've ever done — there was this one part I just couldn't sing. My voice was going, we didn't have a lot of time, and we were under the gun… so we made the call. Having Pete [Stahl, from Goatsnake, Scream] come in and John [Garcia, from Kyuss] at the back in Dave Grohl's studio — it was a bit surreal. I'm really proud of that song. It's about someone who doesn't know how good they have it until it's gone."

"Your Tears, My Smile"
Lyrics: I've never met somebody with so much hate, I'm sorry/But you're just spoiled and rotten, and will soon be forgotten

What Danko says:
"It's a personal song, lyrically. Everyone has a person in their life that's a fucking crybaby."

"Something Better"
Lyrics: One day you're going to wake up and find you've passed your prime/Realize what you should've kept is what you left behind

What Danko says:
"Some people are never satisfied or appreciative of what they have."

"Ravenous"
Lyrics: I found my legs when you stood by my side/The air around you makes me high/Cos I'm ravenous for your love/I got back up when you held out your hand/the boy you see you understand

What Danko says:
"It's a happier song about a girl."

"Never Too Loud"
Lyrics: I followed the rules until the volume knobs broke, I stood by the PA all night/As the old saying goes, 'If it's too loud, you're too old' — I like to do things right/But it's a quarter to 10 and I've slept in again/I can't hear the alarm go off/You can scream in my ear, but I won't hear a thing — even if you drop the bomb

What Danko says:
"As a slogan, 'Never Too Loud' is a rock 'n' roll cliche, but this song is just about going deaf. Hearing loss is something that's never talked about when using these rock cliches."