The Darkness Album: “Permission to Land [Bonus DVD]”

While Nirvana may have been just what popular music needed in 1992, the long term effects of Kurt Cobain's influence have been devastating for the world of rock. Cobain made it okay for rock stars to be emasculated. They could be people who had issues and insecurities like the rest of us, and that was groovy... for a while. But isn't it high time for rock stars to act like, oh, ROCK STARS again? Frontmen like Jonathan Davis, Fred Durst, and Chester Bennington all lack the one essential trait any real rock'n'roller needs, and that is Confidence. Instead of rock gods, we've all been subject to rock peasants, guys who would nail themselves to a cross if their pants were too tight. Enough, already. Real rock stars are supposed to take what they want, do what they want, and answer to no one. They couldn't have all just vanished from the face of the Earth.

It's all gotten so miserable that the emergence of Andrew WK last year was a true breath of fresh air. Here was a guy who preached a simple edict that has been bafflingly lost on nu metallers: Rock is Fun. But for all his efforts, AWK was basically ignored. And so here are The Darkness to give it a second try.

Permission to Land is huge in England right now, which practically guarantees no one here will care about it. Regardless, The Darkness pretty much succeed in making an argument for a pop metal revival. And, more importantly, they inject some swagger back into the fold. For the first half of Permission to Land, they hand out fitting knockoffs of AC/DC ("Black Shuck"), Guns 'N' Roses ("Get Your Hands Off of My Woman," which has to be heard to be believed), Boston ("I Believe in a Thing Called Love"), and Tesla ("Love is Only a Feeling"). Anyone who listens to these tunes and doesn't start bobbing their head has no pulse.

Of course, there is the small matter of lead singer Justin Hawkins' er, unique singing style. Let's face it, the guy is ludicrous. He makes Freddy Mercury look restrained by comparison, singing in a falsetto that could shatter a foot-thick block of ice. The first impluse is to make like Butthead and say to yourself, "Uh, what the hell is this?" It's pretty funny stuff, until you realize just how determined this band sounds. They have a serious passion to ROCK, and eventually it gets to you. At least, if you're looking for something, anything, different from the current rock scene.

Permission to Land suffers from a relatively weak second half. Songs like "Love on the Rocks with No Ice" (does that title make any sense?) are the worst of hair metal cliches - lots of screaming and little songcraft. There's also too much of an emphasis on ballads. "Friday Night" is a solid number, and "Holding My Own" will induce plenty of arm swaying, but nothing in the second half matches the intensity of the first two songs. If Permission to Land were a more consistent album, then it might stand a chance of achieving legendary status. For now, it's a good start for a band that is a potential oasis in a sea of nihilistic dreck.

It's disappointing to see that a couple of recent reviewers have completely missed the point of The Darkness, and therefore must fall squarely in the 'cynical so-and-so' camp. Ignore them!

When a sub-genre like flamboyant rock - or pomp rock - is so easy to spoof and has been done so expertly and definitively 19 years ago with Spinal Tap, what would be the point in a modern band making fun of it now? The primary strength of The Darkness is that they are doing this with a straight face; they are the first band to take this kind of music and play it passionately and seriously for decades - that's what makes them so refreshing and that's why they are going to be huge. Their song titles show they have a sense of humour - what's wrong with that? As someone said recently, they're having a laugh, but that doesn't make them a joke - it makes them special these days. Read the review by Matt in Berkshire; he knows what he's talking about!

Anyone who thinks they are a 'novelty' act is clearly a bit dim, frankly, or at the very least is afraid to admit that they actually enjoy this kind of 'uncool' music - like the folks who have been denigrating Queen all these years. Or perhaps, given the lead singer's campness and the bassist's luxuriant moustache, the people who loathe them aren't particularly secure in their sexuality! (I'm only half-joking...)

To answer another recent criticism: those who think The Darkness' music is lunk-headed, shallow or one-dimensional clearly don't possess the intelligence to decipher their true intent; the cleverly constructed double-meaning of the wonderful album closer 'Holding My Own', being a prime example. What at first appears to be a traditional lighters-in-the-air ballad of loneliness and lost love that makes your heart soar, after repeated listenings actually turns out be an ode to a rather dubious pastime... I'll let you work it out yourself! Again, it seems to me that the minority who dislike them feel that way simply because they don't get them, not because their criticism is valid. But this is all beside the point; they are fun, they make great music and Permission To Land is one of the best albums of the year, and you won't regret buying it.

One final point for all the fans praying that they can succeed in America, there's some very good news indeed; the great Dave Navarro recently saw the band play live in London. He was so impressed with The Darkness that he's going to ask them to tour the US next year with Jane's Addiction! I rest my case!

If you don't know rock 'n' roll, then you won't get the Darkness. If you're too caught up in 'urban' nonsense, the noiseniks, or the sadsacks then you won't get the Darkness. With much deserved pomposity,fanfare, and acclaim there is an answer from the U.K.! The Darkness are for today's musically tired, weary, and cynical. All the best elements from AC/DC, Queen, Led Zeppelin, and a bit of Robert Smith peacfully co-exist here. Tell me, where else today can you find huge stacks of Marshall's, harmonic and melodic guitar licks (that would make Brian May proud), and a lead singer dipped into body suits that sings with a dazzling falsetto? Right! NOWHERE. The Darkness bring back a look, feel, and sound that is irresistable!

"Black Shuck", a song about a mythological rabid dog, is a perfect introduction. A rhytmic rumbling and hi-hat slaps launch headlong into 'rabid' rock bliss with a chorus that chases you down and won't let go. "Growing on Me", WILL grow on YOU....quickly. Loads of crispy-crunchy guitars, a sing-along chorus with 'call and response' backing vocals and a first class solo. "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" with its sticky-sweet sentiment, is far from some sappy tear-jerker but more an affirmation and further testament for where the Darkness are coming from and where they're going to take us. The middle eight breaks down into a drum/hand-clap bit that would fit well into any stadium (or anyone's own heart). "Givin' Up" is further proof of their sheer songwriting skill. The much-covered subject of heroin abuse is again revisited but with such melodic razzledazzle....all cliches are genuinely welcome. But, they're put to work....there's no musical loafing here. The chorus alone will have you convinced of this band!

But what good is all of this "Rock" without the necessary "Roll"?

All the greatness that Rock 'n' Roll has in it's past will be found here. Everything that you love and, more importantly, WANT to love about Rock 'n' Roll is here. "Permission To Land" is one glorious debut, and a package that will soon have everyone talking. For, no other band today will polarize opinions so quickly. The Darkness have given me back my faith in modern Rock Music! Buy this record today!!!!

First of all I'd like to thank The Darkness for bringing back the classic sounds of guitar,drums, and rock. Onto the album, it is simply great! I'm a major fan of bands such as AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, mostly the classic rock bands, and if you are a fan of it too then you will like this CD. You can get the edited version of "Permission To Land" but there really isnt anything THAT bad, just a couple of swears(and you can hardly understand them). "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" is the best song on the album, along with "Growing on Me", and "Black Shuck" are some of my other favorites. Great album, and what I loved the most was the sound of guitar solos!! I dont think a lot of people these days even know what that is! This album is not for those who like today's style of "rock". Today's modern rock is absolutely painful to listen to. You got a terrible lead singer with a metal beard and pierced eyelids, and next to him, a crappy guitar player that couldnt grab an F chord if his life depended on it! These days, rock bands are a joke, and just so I save space, to all of you who are complaining about Justin Hawkins' voice, f*ck off, he would beat any of those American Idol pussys. If you notice, all the people that are complaining about this band, read the votes, just about 4 out of 56 people found their review helpful. And for all you people that say "Lose the singer guys", you obviosuly dont know crap about The Darkness, if you knew anything about them you'd know Dan Hawkins, the guitarist, is Justin's BROTHER! The whole band would fall apart so stop with your stupid singing complaints, hes a damn good singer. Nowdays you dont hear anybody from these horrible "rock" bands singing like that, because they dont have the balls to, they think they have to sound tough and angry(which makes them sound like complete idiots). Buy the CD, THEN review it, cause you cant tell anything by just listening to 30 second sound clips. This album is great, if you dont like the band, then just leave, dont listen to them, get the heck out. Dont listen to the sound clips and write a terrible review on them(and suggest your favorite bands instead). This album for those who love the good old stuff from like 20 years ago. Give it a fair listen! Thanks for saving today's generation of rock Darkness. Keep on rockin.

What a refreshing and long awaited change for ROCK'n'ROLL. It's been far too long since a group came along and totally kicked A** and obviously made no apologies for it. It's long overdue. I'm 44 years old, and have heard and seen it all. THE DARKNESS have some serious skills, and hopefully will be a band to be reckoned with in the future. The mainstream music industry should recognize a wake-up call when they hear one. This is an amazing debut album for anyone, and they should be very proud of this accomplishment. THIS BAND IS NO JOKE.