  
The Darkness are one of the most commercial rock
bands ever to emerge in this business, everybody
alive knows the song “I Believe in a Think
Called Love” even if they don’t know
it was actually this band that wrote it. They
released 2 studio albums before their recently
ended 5 year hiatus, the second of which was called
“One Way Ticket to Hell and Back”,
everybody that knows me will tell you that at
some point to them I’ve got mental about
the fact that title is ridiculous as a one way
ticket would not bring you back again so the title
makes them look like idiots, better stop there
before I go on a rant again. In 2006 though vocalist
Justin Hawkins was going through rehab and upon
release decided to leave the band, they continued
though as a new band called Stone Gods, they released
an album and embarked on some vigorous tours where
as Justin formed a new band also called Hot Leg.
After many rumours surfacing they finally reformed
in 2011 bringing their 5 year hiatus to an end,
this is the inevitable comeback album I was expecting,
time to see if they’ve still got it.
When interviewed about the album all of the members
admitted that their second album wasn’t
really their best work, saying they want to get
back to the glory days of “Permission to
Land” and this statement is absolutely fine
by me. I have genuinely been surprised I must
say with actually what they’ve produced
here! They’ve took it back to their prime
and pushed the pace; “With a Woman”
is extremely addictive and lively with a crunchy
tone but upbeat vibe, “Living Each Day Blind”
is much gentler and soothing, “Keep Me Hanging
On” is different in regards to its sound
as its bouncy yet funky and “Concrete”
which is just a gnarly rock track with elemental
twists and turns. Justin Hawkins vocals I must
say have come on leaps and bounds over the years
and his range is far superior to what it once
was even though it was already impressive enough,
the original members as well have all put their
drastically improved musical skills together to
put together this gem of an album.
There are songs that don’t make the big
impression that those already mentioned did like;
their Radiohead cover “Street Spirit (Fade
Out)” as it just wasn’t really a song
that went with their style, “Love Is Not
The Answer” I don’t know why it’s
just missing something and the vocal work on it
is quite unfitting with the soothing tones, they
aren’t bad songs but they are just not capturing
my attention in a positive way. As much as I enjoyed
Stone Gods and avoided Hot Leg like the plague,
I must say with this I’m glad they chose
to reform this lead act, it’s not a perfect
all round release but it’s got its moments
that push it above their other material, whether
it will be quite as viral as “Permission
to Land” I highly doubt but it definitely
makes for a good listen.
3.5/5
Review by James Webb
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