The Darkness are a truly wonderful band. An almost singular voice in these times, raised on rock and very 70s/80s influenced but with their own eccentric, exhilarating charm. A superb live act. Their albums filled with exquisite melodies, memorable musical hooks, and Justin's ever-quotable, witty and sometimes heart breaking lyricism. Their music is joyous, even euphoric at times. Excellent musicianship and quality songwriting.
Saw them live tonight. The two shows I've seen from them are among the best I've ever seen they just absolutely murder live shows. It's like every song is the finale.
They’re great, they rock, have great hooks and that tongue in cheek style is needed in these overly serious uptight times. And yes, seeing them live is a blast
Each Darkness album has at least a couple of killer tracks, but THE LAST OF OUR KIND is a masterwork. The whole album is brilliant. For some reason, the albums before and after seem more, "thrown together" but Last Of Our Kind is a whole level higher than anything else they've done.
Critics used to enjoy saying "The Darkness are either Straight Queen or Gay AC/DC" which always made me scratch my head. Like somehow they've all collectively agreed to pretend like CHEAP TRICK never existed.
The Darkness, along with the Struts give me faith and hope in Rock N' Roll. Their second album produced by the legendary Roy Thomas Baker is an underrated piece of art.
Not speaking for the whole country of Canada, but my 2 cents. They are a head on good rock bank, not the best ever, but definitely better than the majority. Always seem to have a good catchy riff while not taking the whole rock lifestyle to serious…Solid Gold is one of the better mockery songs towards the 80’s your hear (and see if you watch the vid). Good stuff on this one✌️
@@classicalbum ….I totally get that. I don’t think they get much love on this side of the pond, which is kinda sad because they have a great classic rock sound, my kind of music.
Love the Darkness! Great live band, seen them 3 times in Chicago. They have a deep catelogue. Glad they don't take themselves too seriously. Easter is Cancelled is solid.
Diverse Creative songs.... catchy guitar harmonies and guitar solos, unique vocals...I like Hot Cakes and One way ticket to hell and back a lot, Last of out Kind deluxe is a masterpiece!!!!
Thank you for this review. I love hearing about my favourite band. Yes, they've got awesome guitar riffs, lyrics that actually rhyme, powerful drumming and not to forget staggering vocals, basically songs that you can rock out to and ballads that make you tear up. And there was also another real concept album called Easter Is Cancelled, released on Oct. 4th, 2019.
A massively underrated band. I think people dismiss them because they are outwardly quite silly and wear their humour on their sleeve, but they have some really quite nuanced material and they really do the 70s/early 80s rock and metal sound more faithfully than any other modern band I can name. They genuinely take their music very seriously as a craft. Also, their second album is a bit crap and probably nixed their charts career in the bud. Roaring Waters, Barbarian, Open Fire, Rock is Dead, Motorheart and their cover of Street Spirit (Fade Out) are all worry checking out as part of their come back material corrected where they went wrong with One Way Ticket.
Most seem to talk about "Permission to Land" but the band got quite the discography by now: Permission to Land (2003) One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back (2005) Hot Cakes (2012) Last of Our Kind (2015) Pinewood Smile (2017) Easter Is Cancelled (2019) Motorheart (2021) I really like them. I can somewhat agree with the complaints I've heard but the overall positives does it for me. Justins high vocal style could be used in a better way at times, some songs are too goofy and some just doesn't reach the standard of other tracks. Overall though I really like the band. I don't mind returning to any of their albums and am interested in the new one! As a classic rock fan it is nice to see the older bands still active but they are reaching their end soon (many deaths in the last years) and it's nice to see a sort of similar younger band that can bring own ideas. The personality of Justin Hawkins is to be like a mix of Freddie Mercury and Steven Tyler... Which is a good thing!
I never could take them seriously but I confess I enjoyed a couple of songs. They seemed to me to be doing their thing in an ‘ironic’ retro tongue in cheek way, a bit like Steel Panther have also done? I see them like that rather than an amazing band I have to follow. I own the first album Permission to Land on CD, enjoyed parts of it, but never felt the impulse to carry on following them or get more of what they put out.
Permission to Land is a great album and I like their cover of Radiohead's Street Spirit. I do wish I got to see them live - they were touring in my area last year until Covid happened
Permission to land was my gateway album , interms of new bands .went of them for ages after the second album then the put out last of our kind and i was completely resold on them again
Great live band, no doubt about it. I've seen them multiple times as headline and support and they never seem to fail to deliver. As for on record, bit hit and miss for me. They usually do an album 30 to 50% rocking and the rest is oddities and rambling nonsense. The oddities can be good but I do find I skip a lot of tracks after a few spins. Not a favourite but better than the generic shite many bands churn out
My friends call it yodeling over classic rock riffs. Seems the vocal style is a bit polarizing. But I have the first 3 albums and really enjoy them. Say what you will, but the brothers can write some catchy riffs. I’ve never seen them live, but I certainly would like to.
I really like the first two albums. Saw the band in a tiny venue in Vancouver a few years back, and they weren't great live (terrible sound/mix). Givin' Up, Growing on Me, One Way Ticket, Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time, Hazel Eyes, and Dinner Lady Arms are all great songs.
I like The Darkness. There is a throw back 80's rock sound vibe that I miss and The Darkness provides that with a modern element that really love. Open Fire is a fun driving rock tune.
of course they are good. They are good musicians who write catchy rock songs. Just because they are funny doesnt mean they shouldnt be taken seriously. in a similar way, comedy films and acting are never given any awards but it takes no less talent and work to make them. Good solid band
Going back to 2003, I found them a breath of fresh air. A real antidote to the turgid British music scene at the time. Listening to some of their back catalogue, I find it a bit of a mixed bag. I have seen them live and they are absolutely excellent. ps Some fabulous asides and quotes to punctuate the video, as ever!
I like them but yes I have friends who hate them. Definitely talented chaps but sometimes wish they would tone down the comedy. You didn't mention the drummer who is Roger Taylors son. I like his contributions to the band on Pinewood smile especially.
They are a really great band- absolutely killer live. Their albums are always great- though I guess they are a bit of an acquired taste. If you like AC/DC and Queen and Def Leppard then I can't see how you wouldn't like the Darkness. Do they sound silly? Sometimes. But they are serious about rocking and making creative retro sounding classic rock.
Ultimately the measure of any band is the strength of the songs and for all the hype and silliness and teeth and hair that first album was full of top quality tunes (it won album of the year at The Brits, remember). They suffered the mother of all backlashes but for a short while they were the best band around.
"Serious music boffins... the sort that like to sit in darkened rooms and listen to Van Der Graaf Generator..." Well, thank goodness for such sterling ladies and gents, though in my case it'll be Ian Boddy or Can, Steve Hillage or Muddy Waters. As for the Darkness, I'm in favour of any band that can flesh out Roy Thomas Baker's CV. I once watched a documentary about him, and it looked like the only thing he'd done of any note was to produce Queen, but he also engineered T.Rex's Electric Warrior, so I owe him a couple of drinks if I ever meet him.
Ahh thanks I always had that dilemma between wondering if they were piss takers or actually quite exciting… I concluded they were both and embraced them!
I first learned about them through buying promo CDs of theirs here in Spain that, not literally, blew my socks off. I went on to buy the singles from 'Permission to Land' and was totally bowled over by their 'tongue-in cheek' take on classic rock. As some have pointed out, that first album created a bar-level that would be difficult to live up to in the following albums. Interestingly, 'Hot Cakes' was the penultimate physical CD I bought in a legit. record shop. Why ? Because it was just so damn good !
I can never make my mind up either! Every time I hear a good song by them it's usually followed by a couple of disappointing piss taking tunes that I struggle to stomach! So, jury is still out I'm afraid! 👍
I love them but i love this style of rock and one must remember you must accept they do really send themselves and the whole rock genre up. By comparıson i checked out Genesis Selling England by the Pound following one of your videos recently. I dıdnt get them back ın the day and although I apprecıate Peter Gabrıel ıs very arty ultımately they are just not my cup of tea. And finally AC DC would be proud of Black Shuck. Keep up the good work
Always willing to pop my two pence worth in, especially when encouraged to do so. I first came across The Darkness at a Kerrang Weekender in Camber Sands in 2002. My first impressions were that they were very entertaining, a bit camp, a bit glam, a bit OTT and had binged listened AC/DC before, during and after writing their material, certainly in the early stages. I saw them again at Hammersmith Odeon a few years later and my abiding memory was not of them but of having a chat with Ginger from The Wildhearts, what a nice bloke, who I had also come across at the same Kerrang Weekender. But are The Darkness any good? For me they're OK but there's nothing of there's that's a go-to of mine and wouldn't have given them a thought this morning but for this probing question by Classic Album Review. They're certainly not the worst band I have heard or seen, but they're also a long way from being near the best. They caught lightning in a bottle for a few years which is a lot more than most bands ever accomplish. But are they any good? They're ok. But being the owner of two albums and a boot leg I shall give them a listen today
They crossed the line, man. They crossed the line. You can rock and take yourselves (too) seriously or have some fun, or you can go full on parody e.g. Tenacious D or Tap. The Darkness are a bunch of wazzocks trying to have their cake and eat it. I ain't going anywhere near a cake that The Darkness have touched.
I like them. Last of our kind is a solid album. I will say they either hit on really good grooves and songs or they just bomb for me. But sure theres 10-15 songs that are super good, and a lot of so so stuff filling in the rest of their albums.
I like them, I think they've done some really good individual tracks but none of their albums have hit the spot as a whole for me from beginning to end. The last few albums from Last of Our Kind have suffered a bit in the production side so in my view they could really do with a great modern rock producer to come in and tighten things up.
I saw The Darkness at the first Download Festival in 2003 and whilst i thought they were musically pretty good, Justin Hawkins vocal style made them sound like they were just taking the piss out of rock which put me off them..
I'm asking you, are they any good? Never heard of them. in my 69 years of roaming this planet. Am I disqualified now? Let me know. OIK, OK, I'll give it a try. Will keep you posted. Lol (lotsa luv)
Great band, great live act, absolutely. Why rock needs to be serious? I think that we forgot that rock needs to be a party, and they are just trying to make smile to their fans. But that means for a lot of people that they are a "joke band"... anyway, for me they are absolutely amazing
Personally i love them and i think Brian may endorsed them when PERMISSION TO LAND was released, they've been pretty consistent with each album release for me but i suppose they are the ultimate marmite band. Your channel is interesting and informative, keep up the good work sir!
I absolutely love T’ Darkness. I was a little late to the party and missed their debut but fell in love with their sophomore effort…and then they bloody well disbanded! The inconsiderate bastards! Happily, they reunited and put out the splendid Hot Cakes and followed that up with Last Of Our Kind and their wonderful single, Open Fire (which I’ll never tire of). Subsequent releases continue to till the fertile ground of Bludgeon Riffola, which they have made their own. Luckily, the band is quite popular down here in Australia so they can be tempted to make the lengthy trek down here. They are an exciting band to see live. Go on, throw out a pair of devil horns a la Dio and rock out like no one is watching.
I am rather fond of the band. I saw them support Def Leppard when things were about to happen for them. Like you I’ve only bought their first three albums. They’ve made a few mistakes in their career and could’ve been a lot bigger. I’m actually getting into The Struts now thanks to Justin’s interview with lead singer Luke Spiller on his channel. The Struts have a lot of similarities with The Darkness and I have a feeling I may end up preferring them!
The Darkness started great, lost their way, but found it again with albums like Last of Our Kind and Easter is Cancelled. I've got high hopes for Motorheart, but my gut instinct is that it will suck a little. Silver lining is, their line-up now including Queen offspring royalty in Rufus Taylor, who is his father Roger reborn.
I guess it must have been ten years ago, but I remember listening to what must have been the debut and liking the music but could not stand the vocals. Non starter for me because there is just so much excellent stuff out there. Just got the new Wayward Sons and it’s fantastic.
Forgive The Darkness. They will surely regret their decision to ignore your request for a free copy and a review of their upcoming album. It can only mean one thing: they think their upcoming album is crap.
So was Mouldy Old Doe by ..... oops ...nearly dropped that out loud!God forgive me.Oh and there was Katrina and the Waves in the eurovision with that Shine a Light affair. Shit I said it.Buggar.
Maybe, I'm getting old, maybe, I'm just losing my plot. Just gave The Darkness a listen. Are they any good? No! Hilariously theatrical vocals, with just very few snippets of instrumental appeal. Not enough to keep my ears busy. At least, they chose the right name, as in 'Darkness' I was walking/listening, so to speak. Had to listen to The Good Rats' 'Ratcity in Blue' immediately to regain my musical (and mental) equilibrium. At least, that's musical 'theatre' that makes (non)sense. Should these guys be up your alley, I'd really appreciate a little feature from your side. Besides, I believe, Albert Einstein said it best, anyway: Life's way too short (and precious) for boring music!' Now, some of you may say, AE never said that - and, you're right. I was just BS-ing. Nonetheless, it doesn't make this quote (whose ever it may be) wrong in any which way. Btw, Barry, FZ said, 'Jazz' is not dead, it just smells funny'. Sorry, for being precocious. Besides, I do appreciate your channel a lot. You're one of the few, imparting your expertise without being blatant, and/or smug. A rare virtue, these days, I tell Thee. Sorry, for not being one of your Patrons, but, like Groucho Marx used to say: 'I'd never join a club that accepts members like me.' (True story, this time). Eagerly awaiting your next output, I humbly remain Yours faithfully.... Take Care, my friend.
Yes you're right about the jazz quote. What I should have said is 'I believe what Zappa said about jazz could be applied to rock". In terms of The Darkness, I rather like them.
Although I only own two of their albums and have never had the pleasure of them live, I would venture that there ain't much wrong with them. I suspect that the absence of macho posturing and their lack of desire to look like something that crawled out of Motorhead's laundry pile might put some people off. Also the occasional falsetto vocal can be an acquired taste.
No. They are not any good. They are great. Their debut is still their best, but Last of Our Kind and Hot Cakes are damn close. Easter is Canceled was a nice return to form after the disappointing, but still good, Pinewood Smile. (Yes, their discography is that good, that “good” is not good enough.) So, I am looking forward to Motorheart immensely.
Me unsubscribing from your channel hanged on your answer and you kept me, the darkness is one of my favorites and you summed them up very well. Beneath the jokes is the greatest hard rock band no one wants to discover.
The Darkness are a truly wonderful band. An almost singular voice in these times, raised on rock and very 70s/80s influenced but with their own eccentric, exhilarating charm.
A superb live act. Their albums filled with exquisite melodies, memorable musical hooks, and Justin's ever-quotable, witty and sometimes heart breaking lyricism.
Their music is joyous, even euphoric at times. Excellent musicianship and quality songwriting.
Perfect summary, thank you ❤❤❤
Same I don't think I could have said it any better definitely one of my favorite bands
ive listened to them for a while and saw them live for the first time last week. and i have to say they are one of the best bands ive ever seen live
there is song on "easter is cancelled" called deckchair which I think is brilliant where he sounds eerily like freddy mercury
Yes! That's exactly what i thought when i first heard it.
Saw them live tonight. The two shows I've seen from them are among the best I've ever seen they just absolutely murder live shows. It's like every song is the finale.
I used to think they'd never top their debut, but Easter is Cancelled trumped it. Definitely worth a review
Also, 'Last Of Our Kind' is right up there with those two.
They’re great, they rock, have great hooks and that tongue in cheek style is needed in these overly serious uptight times. And yes, seeing them live is a blast
They brought fun back to hard rock when it really needed it. I like them.
Permission to Land is an album of hits… Most band’s Greatest Hits albums would do well to be half as good.
Word.
Each Darkness album has at least a couple of killer tracks, but THE LAST OF OUR KIND is a masterwork. The whole album is brilliant. For some reason, the albums before and after seem more, "thrown together" but Last Of Our Kind is a whole level higher than anything else they've done.
😂😂😂😂
You talk funny
Critics used to enjoy saying "The Darkness are either Straight Queen or Gay AC/DC" which always made me scratch my head. Like somehow they've all collectively agreed to pretend like CHEAP TRICK never existed.
Straight queen or gay ACDC, never heard that, that's quite funny, maybe both with a dash of thin Lizzy
The Darkness, along with the Struts give me faith and hope in Rock N' Roll. Their second album produced by the legendary Roy Thomas Baker is an underrated piece of art.
Not speaking for the whole country of Canada, but my 2 cents. They are a head on good rock bank, not the best ever, but definitely better than the majority. Always seem to have a good catchy riff while not taking the whole rock lifestyle to serious…Solid Gold is one of the better mockery songs towards the 80’s your hear (and see if you watch the vid). Good stuff on this one✌️
I rather like them.
@@classicalbum ….I totally get that. I don’t think they get much love on this side of the pond, which is kinda sad because they have a great classic rock sound, my kind of music.
Love the Darkness! Great live band, seen them 3 times in Chicago. They have a deep catelogue. Glad they don't take themselves too seriously.
Easter is Cancelled is solid.
One of the best shows I have ever been to. These guys are awesome.
Best rock n roll band this century! Fan here from the USA! Cheers Matt Street
I would love to hear your take on 10CC's "Sheet Music" album.
Diverse Creative songs.... catchy guitar harmonies and guitar solos, unique vocals...I like Hot Cakes and One way ticket to hell and back a lot, Last of out Kind deluxe is a masterpiece!!!!
Thank you for this review. I love hearing about my favourite band. Yes, they've got awesome guitar riffs, lyrics that actually rhyme, powerful drumming and not to forget staggering vocals, basically songs that you can rock out to and ballads that make you tear up.
And there was also another real concept album called Easter Is Cancelled, released on Oct. 4th, 2019.
I have put the 'Easter is Cancelled' on my amazon wish list.
fantastic band!
A massively underrated band. I think people dismiss them because they are outwardly quite silly and wear their humour on their sleeve, but they have some really quite nuanced material and they really do the 70s/early 80s rock and metal sound more faithfully than any other modern band I can name. They genuinely take their music very seriously as a craft. Also, their second album is a bit crap and probably nixed their charts career in the bud.
Roaring Waters, Barbarian, Open Fire, Rock is Dead, Motorheart and their cover of Street Spirit (Fade Out) are all worry checking out as part of their come back material corrected where they went wrong with One Way Ticket.
Most seem to talk about "Permission to Land" but the band got quite the discography by now:
Permission to Land (2003)
One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back (2005)
Hot Cakes (2012)
Last of Our Kind (2015)
Pinewood Smile (2017)
Easter Is Cancelled (2019)
Motorheart (2021)
I really like them. I can somewhat agree with the complaints I've heard but the overall positives does it for me. Justins high vocal style could be used in a better way at times, some songs are too goofy and some just doesn't reach the standard of other tracks. Overall though I really like the band. I don't mind returning to any of their albums and am interested in the new one!
As a classic rock fan it is nice to see the older bands still active but they are reaching their end soon (many deaths in the last years) and it's nice to see a sort of similar younger band that can bring own ideas. The personality of Justin Hawkins is to be like a mix of Freddie Mercury and Steven Tyler... Which is a good thing!
They're amazing and you're right, he now has over 500k subscribers. Justin is a real genius!
I never could take them seriously but I confess I enjoyed a couple of songs. They seemed to me to be doing their thing in an ‘ironic’ retro tongue in cheek way, a bit like Steel Panther have also done? I see them like that rather than an amazing band I have to follow. I own the first album Permission to Land on CD, enjoyed parts of it, but never felt the impulse to carry on following them or get more of what they put out.
Permission to Land is a great album and I like their cover of Radiohead's Street Spirit. I do wish I got to see them live - they were touring in my area last year until Covid happened
Permission to land was my gateway album , interms of new bands .went of them for ages after the second album then the put out last of our kind and i was completely resold on them again
Great live band, no doubt about it. I've seen them multiple times as headline and support and they never seem to fail to deliver. As for on record, bit hit and miss for me. They usually do an album 30 to 50% rocking and the rest is oddities and rambling nonsense. The oddities can be good but I do find I skip a lot of tracks after a few spins. Not a favourite but better than the generic shite many bands churn out
nail and head man
Great band and I’m going to see them in Dublin on Sunday
Their Christmas song is one of the best.
Love the darkness brother ! They are great !!
My friends call it yodeling over classic rock riffs. Seems the vocal style is a bit polarizing. But I have the first 3 albums and really enjoy them. Say what you will, but the brothers can write some catchy riffs. I’ve never seen them live, but I certainly would like to.
I really like the first two albums. Saw the band in a tiny venue in Vancouver a few years back, and they weren't great live (terrible sound/mix). Givin' Up, Growing on Me, One Way Ticket, Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time, Hazel Eyes, and Dinner Lady Arms are all great songs.
I like The Darkness. There is a throw back 80's rock sound vibe that I miss and The Darkness provides that with a modern element that really love. Open Fire is a fun driving rock tune.
couldn't help but notice your first patron is a D Hawkins....coincidence? The Darkness are truly magnificent BTW
of course they are good. They are good musicians who write catchy rock songs. Just because they are funny doesnt mean they shouldnt be taken seriously. in a similar way, comedy films and acting are never given any awards but it takes no less talent and work to make them. Good solid band
I enjoy them
Like the T-shirt.
Going back to 2003, I found them a breath of fresh air. A real antidote to the turgid British music scene at the time.
Listening to some of their back catalogue, I find it a bit of a mixed bag.
I have seen them live and they are absolutely excellent.
ps Some fabulous asides and quotes to punctuate the video, as ever!
You have absolutely nailed how to listen to Van der Graaf Generator : with a couple of asprins !
I think their music is good fun but I've always got time for a Justin Hawkins interview. He's maybe the Funniest Man in Rock.
Excellent band. Great live. Good fun. Listenening to them as I type this.
I like them but yes I have friends who hate them. Definitely talented chaps but sometimes wish they would tone down the comedy. You didn't mention the drummer who is Roger Taylors son. I like his contributions to the band on Pinewood smile especially.
They are a really great band- absolutely killer live. Their albums are always great- though I guess they are a bit of an acquired taste. If you like AC/DC and Queen and Def Leppard then I can't see how you wouldn't like the Darkness. Do they sound silly? Sometimes. But they are serious about rocking and making creative retro sounding classic rock.
Ultimately the measure of any band is the strength of the songs and for all the hype and silliness and teeth and hair that first album was full of top quality tunes (it won album of the year at The Brits, remember). They suffered the mother of all backlashes but for a short while they were the best band around.
"Serious music boffins... the sort that like to sit in darkened rooms and listen to Van Der Graaf Generator..."
Well, thank goodness for such sterling ladies and gents, though in my case it'll be Ian Boddy or Can, Steve Hillage or Muddy Waters.
As for the Darkness, I'm in favour of any band that can flesh out Roy Thomas Baker's CV. I once watched a documentary about him, and it looked like the only thing he'd done of any note was to produce Queen, but he also engineered T.Rex's Electric Warrior, so I owe him a couple of drinks if I ever meet him.
I enjoy quite a bit by this band. They are obviously having fun and love what they do.
Good band. I often wonder if Justin hadn't tried to go solo where the band would be now.
Ahh thanks I always had that dilemma between wondering if they were piss takers or actually quite exciting… I concluded they were both and embraced them!
Love the The Darkness. Everyone needs a little campy fun in their otherwise hard rockin, or discrete relaxation a bottle and a jazz album can bring.
I agree
I first learned about them through buying promo CDs of theirs here in Spain that, not literally, blew my socks off. I went on to buy the singles from 'Permission to Land' and was totally bowled over by their 'tongue-in cheek' take on classic rock. As some have pointed out, that first album created a bar-level that would be difficult to live up to in the following albums. Interestingly, 'Hot Cakes' was the penultimate physical CD I bought in a legit. record shop. Why ? Because it was just so damn good !
I really like The Darkness, but prefer Van der graaf Generator.
I can never make my mind up either! Every time I hear a good song by them it's usually followed by a couple of disappointing piss taking tunes that I struggle to stomach! So, jury is still out I'm afraid! 👍
I love them but i love this style of rock and one must remember you must accept they do really send themselves and the whole rock genre up. By comparıson i checked out Genesis Selling England by the Pound following one of your videos recently. I dıdnt get them back ın the day and although I apprecıate Peter Gabrıel ıs very arty ultımately they are just not my cup of tea.
And finally AC DC would be proud of Black Shuck. Keep up the good work
Thanks
Always willing to pop my two pence worth in, especially when encouraged to do so. I first came across The Darkness at a Kerrang Weekender in Camber Sands in 2002. My first impressions were that they were very entertaining, a bit camp, a bit glam, a bit OTT and had binged listened AC/DC before, during and after writing their material, certainly in the early stages.
I saw them again at Hammersmith Odeon a few years later and my abiding memory was not of them but of having a chat with Ginger from The Wildhearts, what a nice bloke, who I had also come across at the same Kerrang Weekender.
But are The Darkness any good? For me they're OK but there's nothing of there's that's a go-to of mine and wouldn't have given them a thought this morning but for this probing question by Classic Album Review. They're certainly not the worst band I have heard or seen, but they're also a long way from being near the best. They caught lightning in a bottle for a few years which is a lot more than most bands ever accomplish.
But are they any good? They're ok. But being the owner of two albums and a boot leg I shall give them a listen today
They crossed the line, man. They crossed the line. You can rock and take yourselves (too) seriously or have some fun, or you can go full on parody e.g. Tenacious D or Tap. The Darkness are a bunch of wazzocks trying to have their cake and eat it. I ain't going anywhere near a cake that The Darkness have touched.
I like them. Last of our kind is a solid album. I will say they either hit on really good grooves and songs or they just bomb for me. But sure theres 10-15 songs that are super good, and a lot of so so stuff filling in the rest of their albums.
I like them, I think they've done some really good individual tracks but none of their albums have hit the spot as a whole for me from beginning to end. The last few albums from Last of Our Kind have suffered a bit in the production side so in my view they could really do with a great modern rock producer to come in and tighten things up.
I saw The Darkness at the first Download Festival in 2003 and whilst i thought they were musically pretty good, Justin Hawkins vocal style made them sound like they were just taking the piss out of rock which put me off them..
I'm asking you, are they any good? Never heard of them. in my 69 years of roaming this planet. Am I disqualified now? Let me know. OIK, OK, I'll give it a try. Will keep you posted. Lol (lotsa luv)
Great band, great live act, absolutely. Why rock needs to be serious? I think that we forgot that rock needs to be a party, and they are just trying to make smile to their fans. But that means for a lot of people that they are a "joke band"... anyway, for me they are absolutely amazing
Personally i love them and i think Brian may endorsed them when PERMISSION TO LAND was released, they've been pretty consistent with each album release for me but i suppose they are the ultimate marmite band.
Your channel is interesting and informative, keep up the good work sir!
I certainly will. Thank you for your support.
I absolutely love T’ Darkness. I was a little late to the party and missed their debut but fell in love with their sophomore effort…and then they bloody well disbanded! The inconsiderate bastards! Happily, they reunited and put out the splendid Hot Cakes and followed that up with Last Of Our Kind and their wonderful single, Open Fire (which I’ll never tire of). Subsequent releases continue to till the fertile ground of Bludgeon Riffola, which they have made their own. Luckily, the band is quite popular down here in Australia so they can be tempted to make the lengthy trek down here. They are an exciting band to see live. Go on, throw out a pair of devil horns a la Dio and rock out like no one is watching.
I am rather fond of the band. I saw them support Def Leppard when things were about to happen for them. Like you I’ve only bought their first three albums. They’ve made a few mistakes in their career and could’ve been a lot bigger. I’m actually getting into The Struts now thanks to Justin’s interview with lead singer Luke Spiller on his channel. The Struts have a lot of similarities with The Darkness and I have a feeling I may end up preferring them!
Good God you gotta get the rest of the catalog
Yes I must. Which album would you recommend?
@@classicalbum
I recommend Last Of Our Kind. I have them all. Work your way forward through to Motorheart. You won't be disappointed.
The Darkness started great, lost their way, but found it again with albums like Last of Our Kind and Easter is Cancelled. I've got high hopes for Motorheart, but my gut instinct is that it will suck a little. Silver lining is, their line-up now including Queen offspring royalty in Rufus Taylor, who is his father Roger reborn.
I guess it must have been ten years ago, but I remember listening to what must have been the debut and liking the music but could not stand the vocals. Non starter for me because there is just so much excellent stuff out there. Just got the new Wayward Sons and it’s fantastic.
I'm glad you asked. No, not really.
check out Easter is cancelled, it is their true concept album.
I will put it on my wish list... thank you for the recommendation.
Forgive The Darkness. They will surely regret their decision to ignore your request for a free copy and a review of their upcoming album. It can only mean one thing: they think their upcoming album is crap.
Dirty secrets? The music world is full of them that we never admit to . No I refuse to admit to mine.
So was Mouldy Old Doe by ..... oops ...nearly dropped that out loud!God forgive me.Oh and there was Katrina and the Waves in the eurovision with that Shine a Light affair. Shit I said it.Buggar.
Personally I like them a d think they're good. Are they breaking new ground ? No.
Maybe, I'm getting old, maybe, I'm just losing my plot. Just gave The Darkness a listen. Are they any good? No! Hilariously theatrical vocals, with just very few snippets of instrumental appeal. Not enough to keep my ears busy. At least, they chose the right name, as in 'Darkness' I was walking/listening, so to speak.
Had to listen to The Good Rats' 'Ratcity in Blue' immediately to regain my musical (and mental) equilibrium. At least, that's musical 'theatre' that makes (non)sense. Should these guys be up your alley, I'd really appreciate a little feature from your side.
Besides, I believe, Albert Einstein said it best, anyway:
Life's way too short (and precious) for boring music!'
Now, some of you may say, AE never said that - and, you're right. I was just BS-ing. Nonetheless, it doesn't make this quote (whose ever it may be) wrong in any which way.
Btw, Barry, FZ said, 'Jazz' is not dead, it just smells funny'. Sorry, for being precocious.
Besides, I do appreciate your channel a lot. You're one of the few, imparting your expertise without being blatant, and/or smug. A rare virtue, these days, I tell Thee.
Sorry, for not being one of your Patrons, but, like Groucho Marx used to say:
'I'd never join a club that accepts members like me.' (True story, this time).
Eagerly awaiting your next output, I humbly remain Yours faithfully....
Take Care, my friend.
Yes you're right about the jazz quote. What I should have said is 'I believe what Zappa said about jazz could be applied to rock". In terms of The Darkness, I rather like them.
"got out and buy one, you freeloading bastard" 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
Yeah they’re good….every album is entertaining and there’s a new one coming soon.
Although I only own two of their albums and have never had the pleasure of them live, I would venture that there ain't much wrong with them. I suspect that the absence of macho posturing and their lack of desire to look like something that crawled out of Motorhead's laundry pile might put some people off. Also the occasional falsetto vocal can be an acquired taste.
No. They are not any good. They are great. Their debut is still their best, but Last of Our Kind and Hot Cakes are damn close. Easter is Canceled was a nice return to form after the disappointing, but still good, Pinewood Smile. (Yes, their discography is that good, that “good” is not good enough.)
So, I am looking forward to Motorheart immensely.
Bald!
Yes, indeed.
Always found them a joke band tbh, singers voice is like scratching a chalk board
Meh
Me unsubscribing from your channel hanged on your answer and you kept me, the darkness is one of my favorites and you summed them up very well. Beneath the jokes is the greatest hard rock band no one wants to discover.
Great band. And great live
No
Never connected to this band, a bit too campy and trying too hard for me.
No not good at all
Comic relief nothing more
The Darkness are one of the ONLY things in rock and roll that is good anymore. Most new bands are garbage!
Sorry, but they're really not my cup of tea!
Don't have to be sorry, many people feel as you do.
No