CD Review: The Darkness - Permission to Land
The New Musical Express thinks The Darkness should be destroyed, as the antithesis of everything the NME stands for. Of course I’d rather keep The Darkness, and let the NME be destroyed instead.
The Darkness play full-blooded rock anthems of the kind we haven’t heard from a new band in years, with songs titles like “Get Your Hands Off My Woman” and “Love on the Rocks with No Ice”, and gratuitously sexist cover (What’s wrong with being sexy, as Nigel Tufnel would say) Imagine a rawer version of Thin Lizzy crossed with the heavier end of Slade’s glam-rock, with a bit of Spinal Tap’s self-parody thrown in for good measure.
It’s not quite perfect; singer Justin Hawkins overdoes the falsetto vocals just a bit, and the guitar solos could be a a little bit widdlier, after all, cock-rock is supposed to have ejeculatory guitar solos! Still, at just 38 minutes, the album doesn’t doesn’t overstay it’s welcome, and certainly isn’t burdened with filler.
December 2nd, 2003 at 11:26 pm
the darkness do suck!! complete WANKERS that aint even funny and the guy who sings sounds like someone having their balls cut with a razor
December 2nd, 2003 at 11:27 pm
the darkness do suck!! complete WANKERS that aint even funny and the guy who sings sounds like someone having their balls cut with a razor
December 3rd, 2003 at 10:15 pm
The darkness Sucks!!
December 3rd, 2003 at 10:20 pm
This band sucks, the singer sounds like he has been kicked several times in the balls with steel toe cap boots
December 5th, 2003 at 9:48 am
The Darkness suck the sweat off a dead dogs balls. I saw them live and they were laughably awful.
December 5th, 2003 at 6:19 pm
Hey, All you fuckers posting shit are nothing but no talent ass muppets critising a good band. just because you suck total balls and can’t play anything doesnt mean you can rip on a good band who’s out in the real world, playing sold out concerts for millions of fans and making good music. I’d like to any of you guys do a better job. but you can’t…. so fuck all of you!!
December 5th, 2003 at 6:21 pm
Hey, I agree with cool guy. The Drakness is actually a good band, Ilove all there songs!
December 12th, 2003 at 3:17 pm
You fuckin wankers havent got any idea what talent is if up came up and hit you in the fucking face. take your fuckin crap arsed music and shove it up your fucking pissed up areses!!
December 22nd, 2003 at 11:31 am
Im in a band called Funeral for a friend, we’re getting quite big, and i can happily say that the darkness do suck, so go have a go at me.
ever heard of the word OPINION. u talentless wankers. thankyou, appologie accepted.
December 22nd, 2003 at 11:56 am
The Darkness are a queen wannaby, with out the good guitarist, singer, drummer, and bass player. You guys who are saying that we are untalented bastards, and the darkness dont suck know nothing about music. If you want to listen to a TALENTED band, listen to Led Zep, or Rage Against The Machine. Their songs MEAN something, and don’t sound like a yodeling freak getting his tiny balls chopped off. These guys are as bad as busted. FACE THE FUCKING TRUTH!!
December 22nd, 2003 at 8:31 pm
My my. This review does seem to have attracted rather too many comments by semi-literate poorly-socialised 12-year olds. Play nicely, children, or else I shall have to tell you all to bugger off and play someplace else.
The Darkness are not a great band, merely a good band that had the good luck to be in the right place at the right time. It’s silly to try and compare them to Queen, Led Zeppelin or Thin Lizzy; on present form, with just one album recorded, they’re not even in the same league. That’s not to say they won’t achieve greater things in the future, given a good producer and a good manager; they’ve already demonstrated their ability to write hits, and I think it’s too early to write them off as one hit wonders. Their second album will indicate whether they’re likely to mature into a major act or not.
January 8th, 2004 at 10:53 pm
Hey if you want to have some fun go to http://www.thedarknessrock.com/ and flame them. The fans there are freakin rabid. Its great. What a bunch of losers. The Darkness has got to be the worst band ever.
January 9th, 2004 at 8:32 pm
ok this band does not suck! u do!!!
January 11th, 2004 at 7:11 am
I agree. The Darkness is f-ing terrible. Somebody should tell them that music evolved out of the 1980s for a reason.
January 19th, 2004 at 4:29 pm
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thurday… Dancing on a Friday night!
January 20th, 2004 at 3:01 am
The Darkness is way too pretentious for my liking,they’re so obviously jumping the “neo-garage rock” bandwagon it’s not the least bit amusing.
Try Outrageous Cherry for a lesson in psychedelic garage genius!
January 20th, 2004 at 4:21 pm
we personally think that the darkness sound like they have pierced through thier balls with a pencil, a really really sharp one! bt why r u callen em wankers nd fukers wot ave they done 2 u?
January 22nd, 2004 at 12:14 am
From a singer/songwriter’s point of view, The Darkness is a very tallented band. They are bringing back an era in music that has been all but forgotten. As far as the lead singer’s voice, it unique, I like it.
January 26th, 2004 at 9:08 pm
1) BS your in FFAF, 2) YOU ALL SUCK
3) HOW CAN YOU SAY THE DARKNESS SUCK, THEY RIGHT PLAY THERE OWN MUSIC… UNLIKE ITHER BANDS… AN AS IF YOU COULD STAND ON A STAGE IN FRONT OG 1000′S OF PEPLE AND ON TV, AND HIT EVERY HIGH NOTE AND PLAY THE GUITAR
January 29th, 2004 at 10:10 am
Oh dear. This truly diminishes precipitously my trust in the contemporary youth. I have seen this most glorious band twice so far, I’ve met them and they are great.
Finally, a band who dare stand up an display they’ve got bollocks in this world of fashion (yuk) and Beyonce and Justin Timberlake (triple yuk) Besides, they play more than nice tunes, their songs are suitable for rockers such as me but also have enormous hit potential. Last time I saw that was years and years ago. Nirvana did slightly have qualities, but the last band with likewise appearance must’ve been Queen.
I think you should regard their music with a little more respect. They deserve it. And dopn’t you come up on my fave mbs just to tell them what “idiotic buggers” they are, for I have severla idiosyncracies, and I will not be able to control them any longer when others are rabbitting on about good initiatives, hating them for no particular reason. I acnnot tell you to like them, but I can tell you to show a little respect, you pathetic bunch of ten-year-old buggers!!
January 29th, 2004 at 10:14 am
Pardon my french.
January 29th, 2004 at 10:29 am
Very constructive criticism.
F*ck this, f*cking shit, wankers . . . yep, that’s hit the nail on the head, and I’m sure after these comments, the Darkness will see them and give up . . . you fools! Get a life and grow up!
And yes, they are one of me favourite bands, and no, I’mnot jumping on the band-wagon either. Savvy?
January 29th, 2004 at 10:35 am
Sorry for posting four times . . . must have been the site playing up with soooooo much negativity and angst
I’ve deleted three of them - Tim
January 29th, 2004 at 7:36 pm
Y’know what, while everyone is entitled to their opinion what this really boils down to is that there is finally a decent rock band, who don’t have to kiss their own arses to get anywhere and you tossers can’t stand it!
This band write their own music, play their own music, produce their own music, isn’t that what the industry is all about? Oh no i forgot the industry is really about who’s got the biggest ego, silly me. Problem here is that The Darkness don’t have an ego, they just play hard and rock hard, thats how its meant to be.
They are not a Queen, Led Zep or otherwise wannabe band. If they were they’d be doing Queen and Led Zep songs only, which they don’t. They were influenced by these people yes, but so are a million other bands.
And just because your in a band doesn’t mean your opinions right. If your in a band thats getting ‘pretty big’ you’ve got a long way to go to catch The Darkness, truth is you probably never will. So I’d get over that little fact now if I was you.
THE DARKNESS ROCK! *Sticks up two fingers*
January 29th, 2004 at 8:18 pm
Ow, how sad! you’re all trying to show off by giving the coolest criticism…It’s sooo easy to say something evil about other people when nobody knows you, isn’t it!?! and now you think you’re soo cool…i’ll tell you something: You’re NOT!!! I f*cking love that band!!! you’re all just scared of new things…you don’t have the nerves to like them…soo afraid that others think you’re wrong and disagree with you…Pathetic.
January 29th, 2004 at 8:21 pm
It seems to me that all of you who are slagging off The Darkness protest just a little too much against them.
Oh and get over it, they rock!
January 29th, 2004 at 8:40 pm
i dont care if you hate them, i still like them and just you calling them f*cking wankers wont make me or anyone else change their minds. get over it
January 30th, 2004 at 11:22 am
i hate youyou are wankers the drakness is good. Or, in proper English: You are pathetic and the Darkness rock, you bunch of buggers.
January 30th, 2004 at 11:48 am
The best thing about the Darkness (apart from the bloody good music) is the fact that they don’t take themselves too seriously… which is maybe something all you nay-sayers should consider.
Rock music is meant to be fun… it’s not a matter of life & death…
Just lighten up for God’s sake!
ps Oh & the Darkness R*O*C*K by the way!!!!
January 30th, 2004 at 3:09 pm
Oh dear it seems the little 10 year olds have come out in force again
F**k this S**t that just because ou have just learnt these words my little badgers doesnt mean you can you them as much as you can on the internet cos mommy wont let you
can you say “i dont like the darkness, There music is not good and the lead singer annoys me” see the same point has been put across and you can run back to listen to your linken park and slipknot in your rooms,
Beside i like the darkness they are brilliant live and im glad finally a band are making a move out of grunge back into making people feel good and have a laugh and if you dont like that idea… Then its your promblem :o)
January 30th, 2004 at 3:10 pm
Oh dear it seems the little 10 year olds have come out in force again
F**k this S**t that just because ou have just learnt these words my little badgers doesnt mean you can you them as much as you can on the internet cos mommy wont let you
can you say “i dont like the darkness, There music is not good and the lead singer annoys me” see the same point has been put across and you can run back to listen to your linken park and slipknot in your rooms,
Beside i like the darkness they are brilliant live and im glad finally a band are making a move out of grunge back into making people feel good and have a laugh and if you dont like that idea… Then its your promblem :o)
January 30th, 2004 at 4:38 pm
I think ten-year-olds like yourselves should be banned from internet, or at least should be given a thorough education in English, so you can express your opinion in a suitable and more sufficient way!
I agree with all my merry co-darkness-fans!
January 30th, 2004 at 4:38 pm
I think ten-year-olds like yourselves should be banned from internet, or at least should be given a thorough education in English, so you can express your opinion in a suitable and more sufficient way!
I agree with all my merry co-darkness-fans!
January 30th, 2004 at 5:56 pm
They suck.
That is all.
January 31st, 2004 at 9:17 am
The Darkness are great, without seeming to reiterate other positive being’s comments - they sing live, play live, love what they do and have (come hell or high water) worked their asses of to get where they are.
Credit to them, they rock.
January 31st, 2004 at 9:58 pm
I do have the idea that many of the posters just use this discussion as an outlet for their every negative feeling.
In my opinion you should either shut up or you should at least provide arguments, to show why you endorse a certain opinion about the Darkness or any other subject/topic.
Please, let go of the whole thing, stop reacting in such a childish way, don’t make me have the impression of being surrounded by a bunch of shallow gits…
Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, but please, don’t express it in a way that may offend others, i.e. the band themselves (of whom I doubt they’d feel offended) or the fans, such as myself.
January 31st, 2004 at 9:59 pm
I do have the idea that many of the posters just use this discussion as an outlet for their every negative feeling.
In my opinion you should either shut up or you should at least provide arguments, to show why you endorse a certain opinion about the Darkness or any other subject/topic.
Please, let go of the whole thing, stop reacting in such a childish way, don’t make me have the impression of being surrounded by a bunch of shallow gits…
Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, but please, don’t express it in a way that may offend others, i.e. the band themselves (of whom I doubt they’d feel offended) or the fans, such as myself.
February 1st, 2004 at 12:41 am
first off all of you guys are fags talking about asses and ball. my guy says that the video with the squid is the shit so i suppose it is. stop being such bitches and running your teenage cock holsters like you are going to do something, it makes me sick.
February 1st, 2004 at 12:42 am
first off all of you guys are fags talking about asses and ball. my guy says that the video with the squid is the shit so i suppose it is. stop being such bitches and running your teenage cock holsters like you are going to do something, it makes me sick.
February 1st, 2004 at 11:52 am
great insults im sure the darkness r shitting themselves at you idiots, im 15 and your more immature than me!!!
February 5th, 2004 at 6:47 pm
In all my 32 years, I have never been as agitated about a band as I am with The Darkness. They suck so bad it hurts just thinking about it. The fact that they write and play their own music means nothing when it sucks. If I ever snap and start beating the crap out of the person next to me for no apparent reason, it will be because someone is playing that stupid f___ing band! When the hell are people going to wake up and realize that these monkey-humping ass-clowns suck so the radio stations will stop playing their horrific excuse for music? Glam Rock sucked in the eighties, and it only sucks more now, so stop polluting the planet with your crap inspired noise you good for nothing piece of shit band!
Down with The Darkness! … F___ and die you F___ing Wankers!
February 19th, 2004 at 4:41 pm
The darkness are a poor excuse for a band, Id rather see janice out of corination street play love then the darkness. Its true the darkness are good vocaly, but thats where it stops, poor lyrics, poor riffs, bad attritudes, poor live performances and a god awful christmas song are some of the reasons the darkness should be destroyed. There are many REAL rock bands who deserve the attention everybody is giving to the darkness.
February 20th, 2004 at 1:59 am
4 Words……The Darkness Kick Ass
February 21st, 2004 at 5:10 pm
THE DARKNESS R A LOAD OD SHIT
INFACT THEY R ABOUT AS GOOD AS SHIT
THERE U GO HAWKINS
A COMPLIMENT 4 URE CRAPPY BAND
IM THE ONLY 1 IN MY FAMILY THAT H8S THEM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH
I AGREE ABOUT EVERY THING U LOT R SAYIN ABOUT THEM
THEY SHOULD B CALLED THE SHITNESS
February 21st, 2004 at 5:10 pm
THE DARKNESS R A LOAD OD SHIT
INFACT THEY R ABOUT AS GOOD AS SHIT
THERE U GO HAWKINS
A COMPLIMENT 4 URE CRAPPY BAND
IM THE ONLY 1 IN MY FAMILY THAT H8S THEM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH
I AGREE ABOUT EVERY THING U LOT R SAYIN ABOUT THEM
THEY SHOULD B CALLED THE SHITNESS
February 21st, 2004 at 5:17 pm
darkness are crap
i h8 them so much i could kill them
the singer sounds like hes been kiked in the balls so much he sounds lke a girl
WOTS UP WITH THE CAT SUITS
WE ARE IN THE 21ST CENTURY
NOT THE 80S DEAR DEAR IDIOTS
i think sum1 ort 2 slap em silly
February 23rd, 2004 at 10:36 pm
OK steady on lets not get carried away.
I mean the darkness are crap, admitted.
But why worry? Thats the progression of the so called “music” industry and it has always been so. Just get on with listening to whatever you like and let the kiddies carry on buying this junk. I like a wide range of artists but have to admit this lot arent in my shopping list.
And far too much up their own arses to realise that in a few years, they wont be around. (Unlike, say Aerosmith who declined to play alongside them. Who can guess why
If you want to do us all a favour and get all homicidal over anyone, go and wipe out those musik “enrepreuneur” dicks on the juries of popstars etc (I forget their names the maggots are so insignificant to me, u know the fat fkka). U know the dick who launched Kylie Monologue’s career. Theyre the ones at the top of the musical food chain that feed us a diet of crap in the first place.
I am just jesting, honest!
Really though, don’t
Ciao
Tone
February 24th, 2004 at 11:29 am
First off, what “band” doesn’t write and play thier own music now days? By band I don’t mean 5 guys dancing around and singing on stage. Besides Nirvana we haven’t seen a real rock band in along time since U2. And now I am hearing The Darkness being called the savior of rock. That is crap!!! They suck as far as I am concerned, there music does nothing for anyone. Honestly I can say that everyone I work with and hangout with, nobody owns or listens to this crap!!! Hey, and wasn’t it cool when the Hawkins guy called Coldplay boring? And Coldplay happens to be the biggest band out of Britain in awhile to make it in America. Funny!!
February 24th, 2004 at 11:30 am
First off, what “band” doesn’t write and play thier own music now days? By band I don’t mean 5 guys dancing around and singing on stage. Besides Nirvana we haven’t seen a real rock band in along time since U2. And now I am hearing The Darkness being called the savior of rock. That is crap!!! They suck as far as I am concerned, there music does nothing for anyone. Honestly I can say that everyone I work with and hangout with, nobody owns or listens to this crap!!! Hey, and wasn’t it cool when the Hawkins guy called Coldplay boring? And Coldplay happens to be the biggest band out of Britain in awhile to make it in America. Funny! Hey where are you sitting on the billboard charts, loser?
March 9th, 2004 at 11:18 pm
Atlantic Records mis-caculated hyping a boring , below average dated rock band that has no songs and lacks any personality. If this is what Atlantic Records is pushing out there as good rock n roll, we are all in trouble. The major labels are failing miserably, and the really great undiscovered bands will never get their chance in the current atmosphere of corporate HYPE, they have succeeded in KILLING ART in the music industry. Now what?
March 25th, 2004 at 11:47 am
u suck monkey bolox if you like the darkness you haggard shits driving round in your ford fuck asses go suck your dads and listen to permission to land
March 25th, 2004 at 11:54 am
RAR! Why does everyone gyp the darkness? The suck, but it don’t mean you have to take the piss out of them *slaps self* they’re fucking wankers, all of em, they have about *counts* ZERO good songs,and can’t sing for shit. They ain’t even sexy (says my gay mate). They have only tried to do what many other bands have done before, but dressed like Freddy Mercury from Queen! Assholes, Queen rule, they don’t! They shud give up singing, and if they want summit to do with music, they cud sell tickets for download, nass, reading etc!
http://www.lurch676.cjb.net / http://www.geocities.com/lurch676 if you like HIM, BAM, CKY or are into Bikes…
-=Lurch=-
March 31st, 2004 at 10:40 pm
u guys that r saying that darkness sux…. are a bunch of fuckin jack offfs and u wouldnt know wut good music is if it came up to u and jumped up ur ass u fuckin dipshits….
April 14th, 2004 at 4:26 am
love you darknessss the greatest rock band n d world baby its happening!!! i believe n a thng caled lve……………
April 14th, 2004 at 4:31 am
mann they rockkk!!! m a crze fun of yours mannn!!!
May 6th, 2004 at 11:28 am
hey..all u guys wankers there who say the darkness suck, u guys have no idea wat the hell ur talking about. the darkness r just diff and u guys are all lamers with no mind of ur own following trends set by all the other uninteresting individuals out there. they rnt pretentious at all..in fact, they r the total ooposite. they tell the bleeding truth so all u bloody minions out there that seem to have brains replaced by flour, just let me say that look at things in this perspective-the darkness are famous and big and succesful and have all that they need..and u guys? well, just let me say that u swines should think before you talk and maybe, you won’t sound so pathetic with your insignificant insults, k?
May 6th, 2004 at 11:32 am
hey..all u guys wankers there who say the darkness suck, u guys have no idea wat the hell ur talking about. the darkness r just diff and u guys are all lamers with no mind of ur own following trends set by all the other uninteresting individuals out there. and what’s wrong with trying to sound like Queen or thin lizzy? it’s their influences. i bet if any of u fools out there formed a band and u guys liked lets say linkin park, u would end up sounding like them as well. does that give me the right to slam u when-no, if-u ever make it famous? they rnt pretentious at all..in fact, they r the total ooposite. they tell the bleeding truth so all u bloody minions out there that seem to have brains replaced by flour, just let me say that look at things in this perspective-the darkness are famous and big and succesful and have all that they need..and u guys? well, just let me say that u swines should think before you talk and maybe, you won’t sound so pathetic with your insignificant insults, k? and to that guy in the band-im sorry it got personal, i truly am-but the darkness aren’t an upcoming band. they r already where u wanna be and thus, u have no right to judge them so zip it.
May 6th, 2004 at 11:35 am
hey..anti-darkness arses..if u dun like the band, im actually really happy cos im glad the darkness dont attract dumb-arses. and one other thing it proves, u guys have absolutely no sense of humour.rock on the darkness and darklings.
June 1st, 2004 at 9:47 am
The darkness?? What the hell is this shyt. I have more talent in one finger than these guys do. And to all u dumb asses that think they rockyou all suck too. And it is ok for evryone to have an opinion, so you all can just take a flyin leap. Or if you think your big enough come to AZ and we can settle this. HAHA. Rock on Anti-Darkness buds.
June 13th, 2004 at 11:59 pm
The Darkness the biggest British rock act!? I dont think so. Compare this lot to a live Iron Maiden gig! They’ve gotta be taking the piss fer chrissake!!!
June 15th, 2004 at 8:38 pm
Well said headsy. f***ing spandex tossers. id rather listen to britney spearmint.
June 18th, 2004 at 8:29 pm
the darkness r crap!!!i saw them play live 1nce n they suk!!!!try comparing them 2 linken park, an we’ll c hoos da best british rok act!!!DARKNESS R MORE LIKE POP DAN ROK!!!!!!
June 18th, 2004 at 8:31 pm
so sue me, i have an opinion!(and taste in music,linken park rok!!!!!!)
June 21st, 2004 at 4:41 am
OMG!!!!!!!1111 THA D@RKN3SS!!!!! THEY SOUND KIND OF POP-ISH!!!!!!!!!!!!111 THEY SELL RECORDS TO FANS!!!!!!!!!!!! LIKE WOAH! NOBODY CAN LIKE THEM NOW! OMG WTF LOL!!!!!!!!!! I LIKE TO RAPE BABIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was looking up some shit on the Darkness, and instead I landed on this site. Seriously, I thought English was manditory in schools, as of lately, but The Darkness bashers sure as fuck proved me wrong.
Call them what you want, but they are more talented than a lot of the fucking bands out there, and they are one of the only good commerical rock/metal bands around right now, and they do quite kick ass solos. It’s better than listening to fucking nu-metal all the time.
I find the main problem here with antis, is that they’re all probably 15-year-old dipshits, who can’t appreciate someone who’s doing something with their lives. I have, on the other hand, played in a few bands, and done everything a good little scenester should. I personally grew up listening to the kind of music they play and I can appreciate what they’re doing right now. So please, antis, bash me all you want to. I would just love to hear the unarticulated responces I’ll receive.
And by the way, The Darkness never did compare themselves to AC/DC, Queen, or any other band I saw mentioned while I scanned through your replies.
One last thing. Many antis feel obligated to remind us that this is their OPINIONS (no shit, fuckhead), and that pros should respect it. Yet, I don’t understand why they don’t practice what they preach.
You may feel that everyone’s opinions should be appreciated. But throughout the obvious illiteracy showed by this bunch, I sure as fuck don’t. Honestly, if you kids were in charge of the world, we still wouldn’t have invented the wheel.
July 1st, 2004 at 9:57 am
they fucking suck balls
July 6th, 2004 at 8:46 pm
Ive just heard the Darkness have won best songwriters at some awards do.FOR FUCKS SAKE!!! Whats the world coming to!? Im just off to piss myself laughing!
October 7th, 2004 at 7:06 am
hmm The Darkness sounds a lot better than most of the crap out there today ie. Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Korn, and other garbage.
October 30th, 2005 at 1:03 am
i personnally have nothing against the band, and their not amazin, but swearin the hell out of each other just to make a point will get u nowhere… (but it does make u feel better