L.A. Beat

Damhnait Doyle’s new band, the Heartbroken, is aptly named as their CD “Tonight, Tonight” features 13 tracks of heartbreak and pain.
 They start off the CD with “Same Mood,” which starts slow, then picks up the energy ands sets the mood for the CD which carries through to “Too Weak.”
 Doyle, who was in a popular band, Shaye with Kim Stockwood and Tara Maclean, recruited their touring band for the Heartbroken, and it shows. They know exactly where and when to play on the songs which showcase the lyrics. There are some pretty vocal harmonies like on  “Too Weak” and tasteful though sedate playing all the way through.
There is an excellent combination of slower folk and country and more uptempo numbers, which I like better. I particularly like  “The Truth.”
 And I haven’t heard a sadder or more more heartbreaking story of  an abused woman since hearing Grace Potter and the Nocturnals’ “Joey,” until I heard the Heartbroken’s world wearied and tragically mournful piano powered tale “ Save Yourself.”
 Yet even though most of the songs are about hearbreak, hearing Damhnait Doyle’s, cute, innocent, and heartfelt yet world wearied voice, gives hope to the heartbroken.
 I enjoy the more uptempo tracks like “The Truth” which is catchy and has some superb vocal harmonies.
 For something a little different,  the drummer Blake Manning sings on “Run Again,” a decent ’60s/ early ’70s flavoured pop number.
 The CD ends on another mournful note with “Company Man,” featuring some beautiful mandolin playing.

CD: Tonight, Tonight
 Band: The Heartbroken
Genre: country/ folk
Record label: Indie

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