Album Review: Evan DuPell “Damage Control”
Evan DuPell
Damage Control
released September 15, 2023
review by Max Payton
“Damage Control” by Evan DuPell is a newly released punk/alternative rock album lyrically taking on socially charged topics by threatening pedophiles and cowards selling guns killing children, hypocritical elements of religion, useless plastic surgery changing only the outside, and a satirical look at relationship fights.
A prolific songwriter, this is Evan’s 4th studio album in just 5 years. All songs are written, performed and produced by Evan. “Damage Control” takes a musically sharp pivot back to Evan’s musical roots.
“Damage Control” is really tight and focused. There’s not an ounce of fat on here. Every song feels like it belongs, and there are no ideas or sections that drag on or overstay their welcome.
The sequencing of the songs is also perfect. It makes for an awesome journey through energy changes so you’re not just going hard the whole album. Although the drumming is extremely intense, the album is paced really well with moments to breathe and reflect, which was perfect.
This album has some adventurous guitar work, and it definitely pays off. Some of the harmonic interplay between layered up lead and rhythm sounds is genuinely inspired.
There are amazing bridge sections on each of the songs, which kept things feeling fresh and exciting for every track. For such a fast paced genre, a couple of songs also had some incredible ghost-notes and triplets on the snare and toms. Very awesome to hear these techniques.
The bass tone achieved on this album was exactly what I think of when I think old-school punk. This album nails it.
Damage Control: (“Now I’m stuck here taking care of all your poor decisions.”) The pre-chorus has such a cool change in energy. Wasn’t expecting the breakdown and it was such a dope switch-up.
Don’t Play: (“So pretty and opulent, is that your disguise under the light?”) Badass harmony when the first verse picks up, follow by the chromatic riff in the chorus. Really impressed with the dissonant chords in the bridge.
Midnight Hours (“are best for fights”): Nice lyrics regarding major and minor in second verse, cheeky in the best way.
Break (“Sanity’s in the trash,”): That gnarly, fuzzy guitar tone has such a grind and crunch to it. Lyrics are dark, sadistic, and honest in the best way.
Late: (“I can see your feelings to replace the outside. Who do you think you’re fooling?”) The belted vocals in the verses are insane with a sustained howl at the end of the first verse. The bridge riff is dark. Overall a very awesome journey on this one. Love the shifts in energy between the verses and the bridge.
Let the Old Ways Die (“Lost me once with all of your preaching. It’s just some wood with a person pinned on it.”): The riff that kicks in at 23 seconds is so cool. The chorus hits with a great lift of energy. Love the anticipation. Another killer bridge section with that crazy snare/tom work building to a radical fast section at the end.
Take Away: (“Won’t let you take little boys and girls.”) The drum work on the intro is just brilliant. Flexing hard. Lyrics are brutal and edgy in exactly the way you would expect.
No One’s Watching: “I can’t believe what makes it through as entertainment. I seem to be on an endless run with no one watching.” Lyrics are a pretty sick burn if you love this kind of catharsis. Really like the interplay between the vocal, the lead and rhythm guitars in the bridge.
Through the Door: “People only matter when they’re still in utero. Making money off their little corpse full of holes. Just giving thoughts to the one’s with broken families.”
The way he belts out the vocals in the chorus makes the hairs on my arms stand up.
Love the rapid-fire lyrics in verse two. Really nice contrast between those staccato vocals and the wide-open sustained notes of the chorus.
Evan DuPell is an LA based independent musician who has performed with a number of local bands.
***
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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