Air guitars at the ready!! (Permission To Land - Darkness)

Member Name: dcoare

Product:	Permission To Land - Darkness
Date:	18/10/03 (244 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Heavy guitar pop-rock, 80's sounding, Fun-loving

Disadvantages: Too many guitar solos

The Darkness have only recently appeared in our lives, although they have been around for a fair while longer. They consist of Justin Hawkins(Vocals,Guitar,Synthesizer and Piano), Dan Hawkins(Guitar), Frankie Poullain(Bass), and Ed Graham(Drums).

Their music is already causing a stir, with people usually coming to the same conclusion. They sound fantastic, but are they for real??

Well, I’ve decided to review this album after only a few listens because I believe that this may be one of the finest albums ever.(and certainly a contender for album of the year)

So, what’s it like……

Tracks

Black Shuck.

Strangely enough, this is a song about a demonic dog. Begins with a very rockin’ intro, and then Justin begins to warble about said dog, Black Shuck. Immediately reminds you that this album comes with a Parental Advisory sticker. Can you guess what might rhyme with Black Shuck? Really sets the tone for what is about to come, fabulous riffs, hard-hitting drums, and of course Justin’s amazing vocal range. Brilliant opener.

Get Your Hands Off My Woman.

Kicks off vibrantly, then Justin comes in, in full falsetto mode. A chorus that will, unfortunately, have you singing along by the 2nd time around. I say unfortunately because yet again, you will be swearing your head off. Very infectious, beautifully linked guitar solo, a real treat of a song. This was the second release of the band, but can quite imagine that it couldn’t have any airplay.

Growing On Me.

The third single, and the first to be chart-noticed. Heavy guitars, wonderful melodies, and Justin’s excellent screaming. Remember seeing this on TOTP and your first impression of this band really is…..what on earth??? The title says it all about this band.

I Believe In A Thing Called Love.

Here we go. This was their 1st release, and then re-released after they had be
en noticed. I don’t believe that there is anyone out there who could stop themselves singing/humming/dancing along to this. The video for this song really shows you what this band are all about. They don’t take themselves too seriously, even though they could easily give some of todays major rock outfits a run for their money(and probably will!!) Riffs, Drumms, and guitar solo’s, what more could you ask for?

Love Is Only A Feeling.

The tempo slows a little for this track, but Justin’s vocals will tug at your heart strings. Laced with acoustic guitars, and Justin singing about being in love. A fantastic guitar melody leads in each verse with unsurpassed ease. A real stadium-rock balled, which is fairly reminisant of Queen.

Givin’ Up.

Begins sounding very like Status Quo. Can certainly imagine doing the Quo guitar dance to this. Very uplifting track, that will again have you singing along before too long.

Stuck In A Rut.

“Kiss my arse, kiss my arse goodbye” is how Justin begins this rocking little number. Can’t help bopping your head along to this, even though it isn’t one of the best tracks.

Friday Night.

Epic sounding intro, leads into a story of a couple who aren’t particularily cool, but always end up “Dancing on a Friday night”. I have found myself singing this to myself at work, it is very infectious.

Love On The Rocks With Ice.

Starts slowly, and leads into a riff Metallica would be proud of. Filled with sentimentality and irony, this is a very impressive track. Not really a sing-along, but entertaining non-the-less.

Holding My Own.

The final track, begins solemnly, with a guitar solo leading to to a sound lull, for Justin to warble his vocals through. As all albums should finish, this track gives you a chance to sit back and reflect on the last 10 tracks. Slow tempo but heart felt. <
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Overall.

Well, I’m sure you have heard, or seen The Darkness by now and have probably made up your own judgements. It’s hard to believe that a band that are as good as they are, would be doing it for a laugh. They are a very talented bunch. The whole impression you get from either seeing them or hearing their material is that they are a band that thrives on having FUN. They really sound like they are enjoying themselves.

I believe that come the end of the year, this album will be heralded as a classic. The Darkness are able to mix together all the good bits of 80’s rock(there were some!), newer age heavy rock, and still have time to prance around and look fairly silly.

I bought my copy of Permission To Land from Asda, priced £9.87, which I believe is a fair price to pay for the quality of their music.

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