progshine Back on 2003 I first heard The Darkness in a soap opera novel on brazilian TV, that was REALLY odd cause that’s not the kind of music they usuallt choose. That just explain how much the band was in vogue when they released their first album Permission To Land (2003). I bought the album and almost made a hole in it. That was so good, even knowing that was only the joke of the summer.

Most of critics hated and used to say that they would not last, they were half right. Their second album One Way Ticket To Hell … And Back (2005) was released 2 years later is even better then the first one, but people always say this kind of things: ‘nah, they’re old joke’. Silly.

The band broke up about a year later, story tell that Justin Hawkins – vocalist and guitarrist – (and he confirms that) was heavily addicted to cocaine, there’s even a song about that tells this story ‘One Way Ticket’.

Only 4 years later Justin did something big in music again, his new band Hot Leg released a great album called Red Light Fever (2009) while the other 3 guys started a new band, the Stone Gods and released an album in 2008.

I’ve heard about the new album, I was really happy, but the truth is, was waiting for more! In a first spin the record didn’t really worked for me. I mean, isn’t a bad album at all, but I was waiting so much more after 7 years, specially after Hot Leg album. The sound was there, like 9 years ago, maybe that was the problem, there wasn’t a initial shock like the first time. But I had to try again, cause I liked the band so much, and I’ve heard it again and again and again and boom, I was hooked!

By the way, there’s a good and unexpected Radiohead version from their classic album The Bends (1995) with ‘Street Spirit (Fade Out).

Listen again and you’ll be convinced!

arcane-beautiful Ok...now this band have been a part of my life for a very long time. Ever since Growing On Me made me so in love with the band, and their first 2 albums been long time favourites for me.

When I heard they where breaking up, I was very sad, and to be honest, it was like something had been removed from my life. Now the things they did after the break up, like Hot Leg, Stone Gods, British Whale, Justin Hawkins attempt to do Eurovison (probably because of his drug addiction), I kept a close eye on, and enjoyed a lot of it.

Now there where rumours of the band coming back, but to be honest I never really heeded any word of it. But whenever it was made official, I have to admit, it was like I was a child again.

Now I have been anticipating this album for a long time, and listening to the singles, watching the videos and basically just waiting and waiting. And now its here...

Now this isn't exactly what I was expecting but to be honest I'm glad it isn't.

These guys have seen a bit of a change in the past, and it seems these guys really have thought about the art of songwriting a little bit more. Instead of having very lavish over the top Queen esque arrangements, the band have focused more on melody and harmony on this album, and it really bodes well to the tone of the album.

Justin's vocals have never been better in my opinion. His vocals are lot more normal sounding, and aren't just over the top falsetto all the time, and it really shows how much of a diverse vocalist he really is. His lyrics are lot more standard and more love based, but overall, the lyrics are more positive, and shows that the band really are happy to be doing what they are doing...being in a band.

1. Every Inch Of You – Ok, when I first heard this song. I new these guys where back. This is one of the most feel good songs released in a very long time. In fact the whole album is. 10/10

2. Nothin's Gonna Stop Us – Probably the first song I heard from the album, and when I first heard it, I wasn't completely in love with it. But the more I listen to it, the more I love it. A lot like the whole album in general. 10/10

3. With A Woman – The riff at the start does sound like a very generic AC/DC song, but after a while, and especially whenever the chorus comes in...the song starts to get a lote more enjoyable. 10/10

4. Keep Me Hanging On – I do like the nice rhythms in the song. But the song is probably my least favourite song on the album. It might be because there is a country like feeling to the song. Although this song does get a lot more interesting, and rather dark if I'm honest. 8/10

5. Living Each Day Blind – One of the cheesiest songs The Darkness has made in a very long. It's basically a ballad, and it does work very well, and some of the melodies in the song are great. It is quite melancholic and uplifting too, which is great to hear. 9/10

6. Everybody Have A Good Time – Another song I wasn't a big fan of when I heard it, but the more and more I love it. Oddly enough, it's another feelgood song, but there is a quite moody side to the song. 10/10

7. She Just A Girl, Eddie – One of the more fun songs on the album, and it's funny to think that the song was written about Ed's girlfriend. The instrumental section in this song is one of the most instrumental sections I've heard in a Darkness song. 10/10

8. Forbidden Love – I remember my brother telling me I should listen to this song because it sounds like a mixture between ELO and ABBA. I was interested to see if this was true. And it turns out he was right. And I love ELO and ABBA. 10/10

9. Concrete – One of the albums most interesting lyrical and musical moments, and probably one of my favourites. Such a great song, and the vocal arrangements and vocals in general are pretty impressive. 10/10

10. Street Spirit (Fade Out) – Ok, this has to be one of the most kick ass covers I've ever heard. Now, I do like the original, but I'm not the biggest fan of it. It was a good enough ending to The Bends album, but it is one of the weaker songs on it. But this song is just...wow. Especially vocally. I think Pitchfork put it best “it's the best Iron Maiden song that Iron Maiden never wrote.” 10/10

11. Love Is Not The Answer – The Darkness albums always end an album with something moodier and more interesting (although Blind Man was a little silly). This is definitely the best way to end of a Darkness album. And one of there best songs in my opinion. 10/10

CONCLUSION: They are back. They may not be the same, but hey, they don't need to grab our attention anymore, or do anything outlandish. I'm just happy that they are still doing what they love, and I'm glad that they are

8.1/10