Reviews (page 2 of 7)
I love the first couple Darkness records. Maybe the rest are great too, but the first two are awesome, and particularly this first one is really fun. 5/5
Best album, ever. Sry Bre!
Without Compromises!
It's so much fun. I tried to listen with fresh cynical ears. I tried to see if I should dismiss this as a dumb joke record. If I'm really down on it then the production is a little bit poppy with corny crunchy guitar sounds and the vocals so high in the mix.. It's just so fun though. Every track is such a well executed genre piece in this classic rock idiom. It's an really well observed tribute to all the hard rock acts in the earlier parts of this list. I love it
Setting aside Justin's unique vocals (which absolutely suit the music) I challenge anybody to give me a band of the last 20 years that are playing rock like this. Its old school, it sounds great and they are superb live. So it's tongue in cheek at times....so what.... it still rocks !!!
The audacity to put this out in 2003. FUN with a capital F and pretty much a no skips album. Love these dudes. I still believe in a thing called love.
Su disco de debut. Como me gustó este disco. Y me sigue gustando.
The Darkness are such a guilty pleasure for me, especially this album. Justin Hawkin is a sexy, camp, squealing man who makes this tongue in cheek band a really good listen. If you can't have a laugh with it and find it amusing you have the personality of a No. 2 Pencil. Super fun, good riffs, great solos and the ridiculously high pitched singing. If you don't attempt the high notes you're a huge pussy. Growing on Me, into I Believe in a Thing Called Love, then Love Is Only a Feeling is 11 and half minutes of fantastic British glam rock.
Ultimate hair rock and I love it so goddamn much.
This album unapologetically wears its influences on its sleeve, and I think that’s its strength. There are times when those influences are dialed up to 11 and it almost feels like parody of itself. But the whole thing is fun. And I Believe in a Thing Called Love is an all-time great rock song. I think there’s some room to let a fun album be fun, even if it’s not perfect.
This is unapologetically fun. In an era where this music was a deeply uncool move, they decided to do it anyway.
This album is a bunch of crazy bizarre glam rock masquerading as unapologetic decade-late hair metal, it's all bangers and I love it. Such an absurd yet earnest album. Listening to it makes me so happy. I usually reserve 5 stars for the utmost pinaccle of absolute masterpieces, but this just brings me so much joy, and really isn't that what music is all about?
I love this album. Loved it when it came out, and it still sounds pretty great to me. These guys dgaf.
I think this really is a 4 to 4.5 depending on how I look at it, but I am rounding up to 5, because the songs really are fantastic all the way through, it is fun, and it is/was really a breathe of fresh air at the time. Sure, it is a lot of classic rock mixed together, but it does it in a modern way, is consistent, and is just very, very good.
Every song is great on this album
I Believe In A Thing Called Love was a signature song of mine during my karaoke era. I could sorta hit the notes back then. I sure as hell can't hit them now. Lots of fond memories of this album. This is an easy 5 stars.
This album is camp in the best possible way. It’s tongue-in-cheek but never lazy, with riffs that punch harder than they have any right to and lyrics that wink at you while doing high kicks in platform boots. “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” is the anthem of anyone who’s ever air-guitared in the mirror with zero shame. And if you can’t smile while listening to it, you might want to check your pulse—you could be legally dead inside. Every track feels like it was written with a smirk and a raised eyebrow, but the musicianship is no joke. Dan Hawkins is no slouch on the guitar and his solos shred. The drums are thunderous and you've got the inimitable Frankie Poullain on bass. To cap it all, Justin Hawkins’ vocals soar like a glam-rock phoenix. It’s theatrical, ridiculous, and completely irresistible. It kicks down the door, struts in, and demands you have fun. And honestly? You will.
insanely good, really 80s rock ish even though its from the 2000s
One of my best friends in high school had "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" as the first track on a mix cd and that has absolutely colored my opinion of this album. But it's fucking fantastic even besides that.
Pure Hard Rock Experience!
I mean I believe in a thing called love is enough to give this a 4 but his voice and the rocking band behind him pushes it over the top!
It's been growing on me for about 22 years
These guys rule. And were ahead of their time, but also behind it.
Þessa plötu hlustaði ég alltof oft á þegar hún kom út. Það var einhver sjarmi við hana. Mér fannst ég vera að upplifa hvernig gullaldarár glamrokksins voru en samt á mínum tíma. Þetta var ákkúrat það sem ég þurfti og líka núna þegar ég hlustaði. Gef henni fimm stjörnur því húb vakti upp svo góðar tilfinningar og fíling
It is what it is with The Darkness, steady album if a bit warbley for a voice
Hell yeah. “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” has been one of my favorite songs for 20+ years but this is my first time listening through the whole album and I loved it.
brilliant
The Darkness unapologetically give a nod to 70s/80s glam rock, big-hair rock and prog-rock. Van Halen, AC DC, ZZ Top, Kiss, Status Quo, Queen, Thin Lizzy, Aerosmith, they're all there. And yet what could be an utter shit soup, especially given their influences' pull to dull cock rock, is actually one steaming fucking broth of rock genius. After shoegaze, grunge, dweeb rock and whatever else, this rock bombast hits home like a hammer to the ears. It revived what was seen as unfashionable, with total sincerity, technical brilliance and spandex-clad showmanship. You have to be dead inside not to instantly suspend all cynicism and just jolly-well think 'fuck yeah!'.
Maybe it just came out at the right time in my life, but all killer no filler either way.
One of my favorite bands of all time and this is where I fell in love with their sound. Love Is Only A Feeling and Growing on Me would make this five stars by themselves. But the rest of the album is excellent too. The perfect balance of great musicianship and not taking itself too seriously.
# Playlist Track - I Believe in a Thing Called Love # Notes - Oh boy, I'm getting old. Still remember when this album came out, 22 years ago. - I laughed *so much* to the clip for "I believe in a thing called love". Re-watched today and it still silly funny! - The whole album is a great time. It takes itself just seriously enough to believe that glam-hair-hard-rock is a real genre and they are great at it.
Let’s go
David Lee Roth, with a wink and a tickle, taught us that metal is a hell of a lot better when not taken completely seriously. (Looking back, I suspect Ozzy tried to teach the same thing but he was so perfectly ironic about it that the lesson flew by unnoticed.) The Hawkins absolutely perfected the sentiment on this album. As a *serious* music lover, I would love to hate this. But it’s just too damned perfect in everything it tries to do and WAY too much fun.
There was a time in the early 2000s where every album review was about finding the "saviour of rock." Listening to this, you know you'd be able to find a review of Permission to Land saying that exactly about The Darkness. Listening to the album was a lot of fun and only has a few moments where it doesn't still stand up today (jokes about being a junky don't land so hard _after_ you've quit the band and been to rehab). Sure with 2025 hindsight we know that ultimately The Darkness weren't going to save rock and roll, but you can see why people thought they might...
I'm closing in on album 1,001 and I was just thinking about this album and whether I had got it on the list yet. I remember when it came out and my brother was telling me I had to listen to this new band out of the UK. And I thought I don't need to bother with a new band doing classic / glam rock in 2003 - that's stupid and a few decades too late. And then I heard the opening lick to I Believe in a Thing Called Love. Yes please! Sure, the whole song sounds like a Queen ripoff but it is oh so fun. Soon after a buddy bought this album and we listened to that track and the whole album incessantly for about a week. Could not put it down. We'd call everyone from work over to our desk (or car in the parking lot) just to listen to tracks with us and head bang. This album oozes sex, drugs, and rock and roll. To steal a line from Black Shuck, this is a band "that doesn't give a f%#k" - they just want to party hard and rock hard. And they party and rock HARD. Heavy guitars and bass, pounding drums, decadent guitar solos and needless but infectious high-pitched vocals ("Guitar!!!"), and yeah, explicit sexual or drug references and F bombs for no reason, Exhibit 1 - Get Your Hands Off My Woman...mother f%#ker. Exhibit 2 - Stickin' that f%#kin' shit into my arms...Givin' Up, givin' up, givin' a f%#k. Plus some over the top power ballads for good measure (Love Is Only a Feeling, Holding My Own). Everything done to the excess but gloriously fun. I get it if others think the whole album and band is stupid. But I f'n love this album. This is what happens when you don't take yourself too seriously and just try to rock, which is what the 70s did and what the 2000s needed.
This is absolutely ridiculous, but also very fun
I got this in my other "project" last month. It was a true blessing. I had previously disliked The Darkness, but have since changed my mind. Having listened again my original review is unchanged, I actually like it more.
I guess this site is continuing the tradition of giving me a really excellent album after an absolutely terrible one with Permission To Land and man oh man this album is seriously amazing. It brings back a lot of the glam metal elements from the glam metal bands from the 80s like Bon Jovi and Def Leppard while mixing in a fair bit of power metal elements as well. The vocals here are fun even if i can see why some people would find them a bit too much but the main star of the show is obviously the musicianship. The music here is nothing but amazing guitar solos, fun, catchy melodies and everything else you need in a great glam metal album. I truly love this one and think its one great late glam metal album. Best Song: Love on the Rocks with No Ice Worst Song: Growing On Me
The first of a couple elusive 5 stars this week. This album is pure cheese rock. And I mean that in the highest regards. What the darkness did with this album was epic. I'm glad to hear they're still at it. Oh and get your hands off of my woman mother fuckkkkaaa
i love the darkness
Really nostalgic and great fun.
Slayed
You know, when they first appeared in the mainstream I hated them. I didn't like Justin's vocals. I've grown up since then, and I can respect their work. I now have massive respect for Justin Hawkins as a musician and entertainer. Still not a fan of "A Thing Called Love", but this is a great album otherwise. Big sound, hard hitting riffs and some classy solos. "Get Your Hands off My Woman" is a banger!
Permission to Land is a loud, fun, and totally over-the-top rock album. I remember when “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” was everywhere, but I never paid attention to who the band was. This was my first time hearing The Darkness — and now I’m wondering what took me so long. The hit single is great, but honestly, it’s not even the third or fourth best song here. This whole album is packed with high-energy rock that sounds like it came straight out of the ’80s — and I mean that in the best way. You can hear the Brian May and Angus Young influence in the guitars, and the singer’s voice is wild — powerful and full of range, just like the best glam rock frontmen. My favorite song is “Givin’ Up.” It’s got killer riffs, a catchy chorus, and the kind of energy that makes you want to play it on repeat. From start to finish, the album is just fun. No filler, no slow parts — just pure rock and roll.
What can I say? I love this fucker! For some reason this cheese ball affair was the coolest thing to me when I was 18. Big fat guitar riffs and generous usage of the word FUCK will have that effect on a young lad. Listening now, I wish there was maybe 20% less falsetto singing. Highlights: “Black Shuck”, “Growing On Me”, “Givin’ Up”, “Friday Night”
Always missed this album except the lead single, but it's really great - sounds more like a great rework of 80s metal, that a parody, which it seemed to be after Thing Called Love
This album is absolutely rammed full of nostalgia for me. When I was released, I think I hadn’t come across any glam rock or even hard rock before, so I didn’t understand why this catsuit-wearing fella singing falsetto was blowing everyone’s minds. But being so inescapable, I’d keep hearing it and it didn’t take long until I loved it and needed to hear more. This album is the perfect mix of hard rock, phenomenal vocals, and being tongue in cheek enough to give the essence of a band that are there for the fun. If somehow you haven’t heard this before, then you need to.
I believe in a thing called love slaps so hard
Okay college beer pong music days, hell yeah
That was great
Such a fun album. Justin Hawkins has a way to encapsulating everything that is awesome about this type of music, and has amazing musicianship to go along with it. 4.5/5
10/10 NO NOTES
Perfect vocal! Nice music. Friday Night is a masterpiece.
Funtimes.
Classic and maybe a classic case of peaking too early
Don't think just enjoy. It doesn’t break any new grounds but I still had a ton of fun with it. Rating: 4.6
While his voice takes some getting used to, the songwriting and performances are great. This album must have been a light in The Darkness at a time of alternative rock slop.
tasty riffs on this one
I wish I could give this an extra star for showing up on a Saturday.
Banger after banger. So good. Last song is a tad weak
no skips loved this
No notes, 5 stars all round
Fantastic rock album! 1001 album worthy: Yes - 13/25
We met Justin Fletcher when Houmous & Chutney were touring in 2006. He’s much thinner and considerably worse with children in real life than on the telly. 4.5
Straight out the gate with some AC/DC guitar chord stylings. This album would fit in well in the late 80's. Sounds like they're having fun, which is the whole point of rock and roll.
Love this album. Been in my collection for years. Great start to finish.
If you want falsetto proto-metal
I wonder if anyone else noticed the inconsistency with the volume in the recording? Or was it just my Spotify playback when I was listening? Either way, love this album. The rock and energy of this are just so fun!
This album is rockin! I was hopeful when I saw it was British glam rock, and it did not disappoint. Great energy, a lot of super catchy, rock ‘n roll jams, and seemingly heartfelt emotions. This whole thing feels like a story about the rise and fall of love and sex and relationships. So that was an interesting thread throughout it too. I was familiar with I Believe in a Thing Called Love, which is a great song, but the rest was new to me. Really enjoyed this!
Did not expect to see this here! Listened through it at least once before, but was a while ago. Remember hearing 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love' when it came out and I thought it was a bit of a weird one, but still catchy. Listening through the album now it definitely feels like one of those ones where you go "oh, I completely forgot about this, what happened to those guys?!". The music seems to take influence from the heavy riffs of perhaps AC/DC, but with a completely different tone added with Hawkins' singing. And I think it works very well together. Hawkins wearing a tight glam rock body appearance is somehow what you would expect when listening to the songs, but I feel like they have quite a lot of self distance and do it more in an ironic way, rather than that being how they view themselves. It's nowhere near Kiss in my opinion, and that's a good thing. 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love' is probably the most recognized one, but I actually think the whole album is really good, with other favourites such as 'Friday Night', 'Love On The Rocks With No Ice', 'Holding My Own' to name a few. I can't understate how cool of a singer I think Hawkins is. His falsettos are incredible, and he takes this from being generic rock and roll, to something completely unique. I was planning on giving this a 4 star rating, but I'm actually going to be generous and give this a weak 5 star rating. Forgot how many good songs here are.
I was so excited to see this on the list, one of my favorite albums of all time. In college, a stupid boy told me to check out The Darkness. They were so fun, it made the stupid boy crush worth it in the end. The album is just pure fun. Silly, irreverent, the perfect vocals, and banging tracks.
Five starts… just because! At least 4 REALLY good songs.. love on the rocks with no ice , worthy of a mention just for the title. There is leaning into hamming it up, then there’s The Darkness. The moments of sheer joy far outweigh the poor bits.
The 20-year nostalgia cycle is VERY evident here. If I had never heard of The Darkness and if “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” hadn’t been everywhere in the early aughts, I’d believe you if you told me this was from 1986. Good, fun album you can blast out of your car speakers. Who cares if it’s not wholly (or at all) original?!
Good from beginning to end
I love this rekid.
I remember blasting this in my friends car circa 2005 and loving every minute, time has not dulled that experience at all. Great album, full stop
It’s 2006. I am 18 and A friend of mine has burnt me a picture disk CD containing both Permission to Land AND One Way Ticket to Hell… and Back. I am rocking the fuck out
Nice driving guitar
Another album I know very well, I bought it after hearing 'I believe in a thing called love' on Soccer AM. I was blown away by the album, and still am now. I don't think there's a bad track on it. I don't think there are too many bands with such a distinctive, identifying sound.
I went back and forth between four and five stars on this a few times. Honestly, it represents the best of Glam and hair metal. Much more than anything in the '80s did. The talent here is pretty incredible.
In December 2003 I went to Manchester England to visit friends and enjoy the holiday atmosphere. While there, I saw the film “Love, Actually”, heard the Cheeky Girls for the first time, and in a minivan en-route to a stately manor heard “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” on the radio. I wondered if this was some 1970s British glam rock band I’d never heard of when one of the locals asked what I thought of the song. I loved it and was absolutely gobsmacked when informed this was a new release vying for the top of the Christmas charts. Returning to downtown Manchester I picked up Permission To Land on CD and it became one of my favorite albums for a year or so. It sounded so different from everything else going on in music at the time. Unapologetically sex, drugs and rock and roll, it is hard to know whether to take this album seriously. Except the seriously great rock and roll performances and that incredible falsetto on the lead singer. Permission To Land provides good sex, drugs, hellhound and rock & roll coverage. And there’s ping pong, needlecraft, badminton, rowing and bridge club (which according to “Friday” are activities the cool kids in his school participated in). Just when you think this is a total joke some surprisingly tender ballads appear… only to dive into a catchy ditty extolling the virtues of heroin. This album is a fun throwback that blew me away in 2003 and transported me back a couple of decades. Today it again transported me back a couple of decades. I wonder where I’ll be when it pops up again in the 2040s?
Definitely a throwback to the first couple years of college.
Purely for fun entertainment and glimmers of happiness. In surprised how good they are. Dedication to the artform. Didn't think I'd give a 5 to a Glam Rock Band.! .... but the, umm, respectful tone of consent (cover art), combined with hilariously fun music and swell screaming which had all the feel good stuff happening - these guys nailed Glam better than they did it first time around. Very happy surprise. I only knew one song beforehand. ...
Every song is different, one of my all time favorites
Justin Hawkins is fantastic and this album is just pure rock fun. Great stuff.
Resisted this for months before finally submitting after the release of Love is only a feeling. some really genuine great songs on the album with a bit of cheese. good vocals, good guitars. and has a song on it shouting YOU CUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNT. what's not to like
honestly it's more like a 4 but the commitment to the bit makes it a 5
So much better than I remember. Banger after banger.
Well his voice seems a little too high pitched, but great vibe. I recognized the voice immediately I Believe In A Thing Called Love. Justin Hawkins is a bit reminiscent of Brendon Urie and Adam Lambert. Catchy songs.
Every song on this album is a solid 5 stars. Perfect album. Gonna be a strong contender for my #1 on this list.
Yes please What an album! I loved every song on here. My favorite is a coin flip between 'Friday night' and ' love on the rocks with no ice' Also listed to Christmas time because it was a bonus track on some versions of the album , and because I think that is in the top 3 Christmas songs of all time l, so I don't mind listening to it anytime of the year. I'm now going to find my CD copy of this and put in on in my car for the next 3 months.
Before listening: We didn't realize it at the time, and we don't realize it now, but the Darkness saved Rock 'n' Roll. And like the Wyld Stallions, they were trying to save the world. It's just that we weren't ready. The Darkness were laughed at and mocked, and considered a joke band. But they were always incredibly talented and they never took themselves seriously. This album was amazing, and their second album was great. Then they were dropped by their label. And they still produced amazing albums after that! I love the Darkness and this is the album that started it all. You were all just too high on your high horse to appreciate it. After listening: I said what I have to say.
It is a really fun album. I was familiar with several of the songs. The songs edited correctly and do not drone on. I would definitely listen to it again.
Fantastic
I know this album well, and it never fails to disappoint. The soaring vocals, edgy riffs and brilliant sense of humor make this an absolute blast to listen to. I wouldn't change a thing about it -- it's about the perfect album for me. Five stars.
The high octane hair rock revival of my dreams! I fucking love this album. It is a party the whole way through, an absolute gem. Did not expect to see it come up on this list, but I'm so glad it did. It is just pure, unadulterated FUN. There's a magical blend of silliness, camp, funkiness, and stank on it that just takes me there. Right fucking on, man. I love it.
This whole album is just such bombastic over the top perfectly executed stupidity. I loved every second.
Love it! All of it
This just fucking rules. It's got a classic rock sound and vibe with the attitude of the aughts. The guitar solos are excellent, and the singer is masterful in the control over his voice.
Love this album. I remember first seeing the music video for "Thing Called Love" and being so intrigued and weirded out at the same time.
Let me go ahead and listen to this album for the 1,329th time and give it my first 5. What an amazing story these guys are.
Hard rock, glam metal. Un megahit. Me ha gustado bastante... Vinilo, venga.
Perfection
An absolute legend of an album
Fuck yes, I Remember these guys! Lead singer is like a young Axl Rose. I loved this album in university. It's unapologetic 00's glam metal. It was so weird to hear a new band take on a genre that was so popular in the 70's-80's. This gave me the same wow factor that I got the first time I heard Greta Van Fleet. Favourite songs: Love On the Rocks With No Ice, I Believe in a Thing Called Love, Get Your Hands Off My Woman, Growing On Me, Stuck in a Rut, Makin' Out, Black Shuck, Givin' Up, Love Is Only A Feeling, Friday Night Least favourite songs: if forced to pick, Holding My Own 5/5
This is just... classic rock for a reason.
Gewoon plezant
- never heard of them before - holy shit this eats - love on the rocks with no ice !!!! - this was my favourite album i’ve listened to so far
TESKI hitovi
Albums I liked when I was 13 very rarely hold up. This one does. No notes.
That's a banger. How have I not heard of this?
Hard rock, glam metal. Un megahit. Me ha gustado bastante... Vinilo, venga.
FUCK YES. This album is what RAWK shoud be. Hawkins is great, the band is solid as fuck, 6 stars.
I believe in a thing called LLLOOIIVVEEEE
Have you ever heard of Led Zeppelin? Queen? AC/DC? Well those guys are amateurs compared to this band. 😂 Ok, in all seriousness, this band recycles the mid 70s/early 80s rock sound. This album did commercially well, perhaps due to the popularity of the sitcom That 70s Show. If you dig on any of those bands mentioned on top, you’re gonna love this album. With tasty licks and a soprano voice from front man Justin Hawkins, this one is a keeper 5
truly amazing!
Great album. I remember it when it came out and saw them in Reading
Really great album ! If you love old school rock, you will love it.
Big fan of this album, not a bad song on it. The b-sides are strong too, could never give it anything less than 5
https://media.tenor.com/wlZU0JjHqNEAAAAC/thumbs-up-cool.gif
Man, forgot how many good songs are on this.
Guilty pleasure
One of the great debut albums. Over the top nonsense with tongue firmly wedged in cheek. Which cheek? Have a listen and you decide.
What a surprise, never heard of them, but I loved everything about it. The 80s guitar based rock with riffs, licks, solos, the pop punk feel of the production, the silly yet pretty proficient singing, in a good runtime. Loved it!
It's been too long, this is a cracking debut!
I love this record.
So much fun to listen to again, total classic
How did this come out in 2003!? Can't believe it was 20 years ago. I loved this album at the time, it doesn't take itself too seriously and there's some great riffs. They were victims of their own success really, would have probably had a longer career if they hadn't shot to number 1. Don't think I've listened to it since my teens and I really enjoyed going through it again, really nostalgic and kept me smiling. Won't listen again very soon but have to give it a 5.
Had forgotten about the darkness.... Great pop rock record though. Completely different to anything being released at the time. I remember seeing them at Leeds festival 2003 and not knowing who they were beforehand. Their name made me think it was going to be some death metal band or something, but they were completely different and I loved it. Listened to this album a lot at the time. Lots of good songs, but I think my favourite is love on the rocks with no ice. It's getting a 5 for how different it was to everything else at the time
sonzeira, conhecia o hit das antigas e o resto do álbum fez jus ao som
Fuck yeah
Hard rock
It’s awesome, sometimes comical hard rock with a lead singer who is a similar level to freddy mercury. 5/5
Very fun, loved it Also made a banger of a Christmas song
Sweet!
Not heard this in full in many many years. Good fun.
The Darkness are probably one of rock's biggest anachronisms. When other bands made back-to-basics garage rock and pretentious indie, they made unapologetically bombastic glam rock. And it is good when taken as unapologetically bombastic glam rock. It is incredibly ridiculous and over-the-top in many ways, not least the falsetto vocals. The lyrics are as ridiculous as you'd expect, laced with F-bombs for maximum impact on the listener(in a goofy, tongue-in-cheek way). This probably isn't essential listening, but at least it's entertaining in a way few 2003 albums were. This album is ranked #8 of 14 albums for 2003. Other 2003 albums rated by me: Elephant(1/14)-4 Frank(2/14)-4 Hail to the Thief(3/14)-3 So Much For the City(12/14)-2
Good times. I remember this very well from my student house. It's aged like a fine wine. I'm surprised how much I've enjoyed this today. Friday Night and Love on the Rocks With no Ice are both brilliant fun.
4.3/5
Why did this kinda rock. Jellyfish vibes but not as good and the singer is doing vocal backflips.
3.5 rounded up
Super high energy and a fun listen, only brought down in my vote by the extreme falsetto style that I found really cringey. Which is a shame because this album really was fun, I'll say it's a charitable 4 stars.
I had a lot of fun with this, and its clear that the band did too.
First time listener here to both this album and this band. A lot to like here. I was surprised how many songs I recognized. The actual music gets high marks from me, but there are some times where his higher vocals take me out of it. And that is typically something I don’t mind, it’s just his style I suppose. Still a solid hard rock record. 4/5
Når det e gøy e det kjempegøy, og resten av tida e det bare litt slitsomt.
Wasn’t looking forward to this one. Loved it!! Good old rock & roll. Yeah I know that it’s a bit of an AC/DC ripoff but doesn’t try to take itself too seriously.
I feel sort of dirty saying it, but this album has some absolute bangers on it.
I had a limited knowledge of these guys, only knowing their song "I Believe In A Thing Called Love", which i found okay, but didn't wow me. I think I realized this album was pretty good when I heard the chorus "Get your hands off my woman, motherfucker" sung in falsetto. This is a album that, all at the same time, champions this kind of rock, lampoons it, and takes it somewhere different. A unique sound that I'm here for.
I weirdly liked this a lot, probably my biggest surprise of the almost 300 albums I’ve listened to so far
Fabulous glam rock
Quite a funny one with riffs you expect from a glam rock album and some bangers. The voice is annoying and that's probably what's ruining it. 3.5
Well well well. I simply don't know what to make of this. I have never been ENTIRELY sure whether the darkness were a sort of parody or not. Only knowing the (amazing) "I believe in a thing called love" and the (amazing... parody?) "christmas time: don't let the bells end" (lol). Knowing they were a one(ish) hit wonder, it's therefore not shocking at all that the rest of this album doesn't reach the heady heights of IBIATCL. However, I still had a good time and hey, they were really trying... something.
yea it's fun.
Very fun record. Obviously the vocals are impressive and he doesn't rely on the gimmick too much. Very fun glam rock that doesn't take itself too seriously.
I can't tell if this a bad good album, or if it is a good bad album. But it is obnoxious, silly, loud, and a ton of fun. I remember how over the top the video was for I Believe In A Thing Called Love. It rode the razors edge of glam metal revival and outright parody. The rest of the album plays largely the same way, being over the top, but that is the point. I'd rank this a 3 or 4 depending on my mood. The schtick can wear thin over time, but it's listenable, and clearly does not take itself too seriously.
"I Believe in a Thing Called Love" is a legendary karaoke song. Don't know much else about this group, though. It seems like they tried to bring back glam rock and hair metal in the early 00's, as this wasn't like anything else you heard on rock radio around that time. It's bordering on corny, but it's just so damn fun to listen to in all honesty.
Great album. Extremely underrated (if published in the 70s, this would be a classic). I saw them live once and it was great fun. Nothing disruptive, but really good guitar-based hard rock. I think all songs are good...and some are great. A few favourites: "Black Shuck" (perfect energetic starter), "Growing on me" (perfect pre-Chorus), "I Believe in a thing called love" (so you wanted to have some guitars?), "Love is only a feeling" (such a well produced song...perfect outro), "Friday night" (a great power-pop song; simply irresistible, with a The Cure influence), "Love on the Rocks with No Ice" (classic sound and progressions,...). Well, I guess we have at least a 4-star album here (if not 5 stars). Feeling sorry for those who can't enjoy this album.
Really enjoyed this one-- it was great driving around music. The lead singer's falsetto is CRAZY with the kind of high notes he hits. Highlights: Black Shuck, Growing on Me, I Believe in a Thing Called Love, Friday Night
I couldn't figure out the guys voice
I kinda love this album. It's actually a solid rock and roll album, while also being a bit of a caricature of 80s hair metal and ACDC. That being said, it's a fun, loud record with great tracks. Highlights: "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" and "Love is Only A Feeling"
I know it’s essentially a parody, but this is the best hair metal record of all time. Culturally, the zeitgeist was obsessed with ‘memberberries. This is the perfect expression of that music revival era. Genuinely, pitch perfect.
Fun! Not something I could listen to all day but I really liked it on my way home from a long day of work
Yooo this is sick! Black shuck was such a fun opener to this album. It was a great listen, had some good lyrics but also didn’t take itself too seriously. Get your hands off of my woman just made me laugh. Growing on me was also quite fun, and I believe in a thing called love was actually quite sweet. The guitar solo in love is only a feeling, so great. Givin up was great, and stuck in a rut had some great moments. Friday night was so carefree. The verses of love on the rocks with no ice were great. The shrieking does get slightly old, but I’m enjoying the rest of it. Holding my own was a nice but bit unexpected ballad! Makin out was an alright closer! Overall it was slightly cheesy but I loved it. 4/5 ⭐️ 122/1089
This was great. Yeah fun, surprisingly loving and romantic. I wrote this off when I was younger, but it was honestly good fun.
very fun
Bought this album in High School and saw them on the American tour. They ruled. It leans into the camp of the 80s rock but they had the chops and a few rock hits. It ain’t perfect and man Justin could get cheeky on the verge of cheesy. But it wasn’t supposed to be a serious brooding album. Sometimes rock is for fun and drinking beer on a Friday night.
I got really excited when this album came up. For two main reasons, the first being I’ve been a big fan of this band since my dad showed them to me. And secondly, this seems like a very unlikely album to be on the list, it almost felt like a personal win the fact that this album is included on this list. It almost felt like somebody added this album just for me. But joking aside, this album contains one of the single greatest songs ever written…I Believe In A Thing Called Love. It’s a very genuine and enthusiastic tribute to hair metal. It probably sounds silly saying it’s a direct tribute, which it’s not stated anywhere that I’ve seen that it is, but as someone who grew up with a day who unapologetically loves hair/glam metal, I can tell you that it’s a fitting and endearing tribute. Seriously if you have never seen the music video for it I implore you to, it’s one of my all time favorite videos. It’s so silly and over the top, it just fills me with joy. The only problem with this album is that it’s not one song long. Because everything on the album (and frankly the rest of music as a whole) can’t live up to the magic that is IBIATCL. They do continue with the same energy and tone throughout the album, but it all just sits in the massive shadow of the hit song. Honestly it’s not a bad album, but it’s greatest strength is also the greatest flaw, cause nothing can reach that bar that is set so impossibly high.
fast rock, movable rhythms. had this on repeat in the 2010s
liked it more than I expected
Permission granted. They went crap very quickly afterwards but for one pretty great debut album and glorious Christmas single they were hot-to-trot stuff flying the freak flag for 100% pure uncut classic rock in 2003 amongst a bilge backdrop of Beyoncé and Black Eyed Peas. They manage to do a thing of ridiculously sending up the genre whilst also being authentically awesome and landing at a few timeless songs and videos along the way (I Believe In A Thing Called Love, Love Is Only A Feeling).
I think I was supposed to hate this guys annoying ass voice, but honestly it grew on me as the album progressed. There was one song where it was outrageously annoying but that was quickly forgotten. All things considered, for a generic glam rock album - this wasn't bad!
It feels sacrilegious to give this a four when I gave worthy contenders a 3 recently...but it's just so fun. I love operatic camp don't-take-myself-seriously outfits like Queen, The Ramones and Meatloaf (though you wouldn't know - he might be taking the #drama VERY seriously).
Great
This album was like a breath of fresh air when it was released. Nu metal has aged better than anyone could've imagined but at the time it felt very four. While on the other spectrum of rock music was too cool for school garage rock like the strokes. So it was very refreshing for a band like the darkness come in with some levity. That being said this album is pretty top heavy. 3.5 rounded up.
Greatness!
8/10
BELTER.
Dit zou je op vol volume op motortreffen horen, en ik zou ervan GENIETEN
It’s so fun and a throwback to a special time. Thing called Love is such a Jam
Really cool album. Fresh and changing the course to a retro metal band vibe that was lost after grunge. Falsetto is cool but after 6 songs it gets a bit boring. Still the first 5 songs are all really good and puts anyone in a good rocking mood. Although I dont love the band objectively this album was really good when it came out and still holds but in context and significance for the time period it was better than it is
Music can be fun. Sometimes it's easy to forget that there doesn't need to be a bold statement or cause behind good music. It's fine to be fun. The Darkness leans heavily into this idea, that putting out a solid, fun-loving rock album is OK. Surprisingly, it's the more straight-forward (and dare I say, almost serious) songs that caught my attention. Growing on Me and Love is Only a Feeling are standout songs that feel different from I Believe in a Thing Called Love. This isn't an album most will have in constant rotation, but when you need a good pick-up, this is comfort food.
This album is really growing on me. I remember when this came out and the little indie rock band I was playing in had it on constant rotation to get us pumped up for a little local show (we were nothing like this). It's campy and unbelievably over the top. There wasn't really anything like it when it came out and we were here for it. Don't take this album too seriously (they certainly didn't), just enjoy the silliness and explosive performance. Justin Hawkins voice is a perfect fit for the over the top glam rock, the guitar riffs are next level, the lyrics flip between heartfelt and comically cheesy, the solos are blistering! I'm not sure if this album really belongs among some of the other stuff on here, but I love it!
Great stuff. They really brought the fun and glam back into rock & roll. I Beleive is a kick-arse song. I’m happy these guys survived into this day & age and received such success.
I live not very far away from Lowestoft, so The Darkness have always seemed a bit like home town heroes. I worked with people who probably taught them, and I know the area well enough. Yeah, this is all a bit silly in places. But, hell, if you'd grown up in Lowestoft and ended up doing something like this then you'd have earned your escape as well. This sort of thing doesn't happen in places like that – lets just say there were an awful lot of flags hanging from lampposts the last time I drove through there. This is a decent album. A pastiche probably, but it's pretty decent and a bit different as well. And it features Black Shuck, a legend that appears throughout East Anglia in different guises. Yeah, a solid 4 actually, especially when you factor in the home town element.
"I Believe in a Thing Called Love" has always been a favorite of mine, goofy song but a really fun guitar performance. That's pretty much how the rest of the album is too. Sweet guitar work. Solid enough rock music, nicely produced. Justin Hawkins' falsetto can be fairly grating at times. Overall a pretty good album.
Meget bedre end forventet!!
Everything you expect it to be. Extremely over the top, but just top class songs. I think I would've ended the album with Holding My Own and just discarded the last song. Not a perfect 5, but a big 4!
I think unfairly thought of as a novelty act, this album is well put together 4*
Outstanding debut album. Like stepping on a live wire. Its electric, high energy, clean and polished and in your face with posh british attitude. Simple music, simple lyrics and all around a timeless album. This a few songs on this will be played at my wedding. Gimmicky sure, tongue and cheek; whatever that means sure. But its good music at the end of the day, worth a listen before you die.
BRING BACK GLAM ROCK!!!
Fantastic debut, a lot of fun
This album is hilarious. Clearly, it's a decade or two out of place, but it's also unabashedly aware of that and just let's the ride speak for itself. Over the top falsetto, slamming riffs, and bodacious hooks, it's a lot of fun overall. I think i Belive in a Thing Called Love is clearly the best here and the only song that was even vaguely familiar on a listen but Friday Night is a lot of fun as well.
The mountains of drugs that fueled this album were not wasted. A hair one note but AC/DC made a living off of being completely one note so that's not necessarily a bad thing if you like the one note.
Marina and the diamonds brother
campy fun
that album was fun. haven't had listened to any track before except of I believe in a thing called love
the daarkness sind uf dere liste??? de justin hawkins of wohnt in st galle fame?? erste song mega acdc wenns meh chords hetted. huere fun. sie sind so glam. get your hands off my woman au seehr cools riff und goht jo insane füre. hm aber schochli wenig lied und viel crash cymbals. i believe in a thing called love halt classic. seehr geili melodie ide strophe hammer pre chorus wo ufbaut, suuper refrain. und guitar schreie voreme gitarresolo isch insane. geniestreich. ok jetz isch de hit dure. was hends no für mich? givin up isch suuuuper er singt scho geeeil. scho i jedem song es voll übertriebes gitarresolo haha. aber ich finds super. love on the rocks with no ice isch recht en geile titel. makin out isch insano horny. aso sinds generell. heeeeerts vieri.
hahaha scho wieder darkness aber tönt LIECHT andersch als de oldham hahah omg es isch SO ROCKIG sini stimm isch fast zu klar und hell für de rock aber s isch na en cool "gegesatz" omg growing on me macht huere spass hahahaha megaaa goofy love is only a feeling het echlii en ernstere underton woni na cool gfunde han hahahah "The business as a whole thought they were uncool. In fact, people were saying that they were a joke and that they weren't real." ich cheggs iwie scho, waser meint love on the rocks isch chli heavier, I likee holding my own erinneret mich ah irgendöppis? chli ballademässig und echt na schön makin out het mega es ac/dc riff ahh und au de refrain! abgseh vode stimm natürlich weiss nöd wie hüfig ich wird zum album zruggchehre, will ich jz nöd megaaa en haddrock-guy bin aber s het echt spass gmacht und isch erstunlich villsitig innerhalb vom genre?
An album on the listen I've listened to perhaps much higher on average than most and consistently have loved since 2003 when my school prevented me seeing them open Glastonbury and I've never seen them since. I mean, it's just fun. Love on the Rocks. Love is More than Feeling. The other big singles. All great. But despite all this I find it hard to give a 5 to an album with such innuendo as found on Growing on Me and Holding My Own, much as guy wordplay wasn't immediately obvious to me at the time.
Fun, high energy album from a Queen throwback song. The ubiquitous "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" got most of the attention but there are some bangers throughout. Top tracks: "Get Your Hands off My Woman," "I Believe in a Thing Called Love," "Love is Only a Feeling," "Love on the Rocks with No Ice"
This is such a ridiculous fucking album. I love it so much. IBIATCL was a real fucking thing for a long time and that rules. Greta Van Fleet can EMAMF. This is the stuff right here. Fuck this album is so fun lol
I'd give this a 3.5 if I could. Doesn't have quite as many bona fide bangers as I'd like, but these guys know exactly who they are and they know how to deliver. Expert chefs grilling up greasy fast food. Oscar nominated directors filming b-horror zombie trash. Well crafted fun. ******************************************************************************* --Black Shuck...cheese. delicious delicious cheese --Get Your Hands off My Woman...see above --Growing On Me...uh, this one seems more serious. I don't want these guys getting serious --I Believe in a Thing Called Love...take notes, Paul Stanley --Love Is Only a Feeling...ballad. prefer the harder tracks but this is better than "Growing..." --Givin' Up...fun but a little generic --Stuck in a Rut...I want my nose to get stuck in the cover lady's rut --Friday Night...teeny bopper stuff. I appreciate the this band's humor but this song skews too young relative to earlier tracks (think middle/high school vs. college) --Love on the Rocks with No Ice...this does indeed rock but it also feels a little clunky. doesn't really get moving until the solo --Holding My Own...not a fan of their ballads --Makin' Out (bonus track)...would've preferred this over one of the ballads on the original release, but it still would've been a lesser track
This album actually rocks! It's really pretty fun to listen to, and if you get into what they're doing, it's great.
Good
Permission to Land! How haven't I listened to this album before? If you hear a song as awesome as I Believe in a Thing Called Love it should be a no-brainer to check out the album. I also love that this track is followed up by 'Love is only a Feeling' and Givin' Up'. A mix of Queen, ACDC, and Metallica, this album is full of energetic bangers and it doesn't slow down. Justin's vocals sound fantastic, there are some wonderful guitar riffs throughout. So much fun. Favourites: Growing on Me I Believe in a Thing Called Love Givin' Up
Oof just as I was complaining about the music chosen being too slow they finally give me a faster album. I already loved I Believe in a Thing Called Love but my other new favorite is Friday Night. Though a lot of the album is a little samey and chaotic so not the best but definitely better than what I've been getting.
A classic (when it was released 20 years out of step with the times) but still a classic!
Some good some rough, a few bangers.
Darkness are cool.
Por primera vez he sentido que un album es buenísimo objetivamente a pesar de que no me guste. Una de las peores cosas es el cantante, una de las mejores, es el cantante. Conocía una canción, la mítica del álbum y la odiaba, pero sabiendo que todo el álbum es igual, hace que me guste en conjunto contraintuitivamente. Es la mejor representación del glam de la historia, 20 años después de que mueriese el género y en el país equivocado. Es divertido, activo y lleno de clichés y gilipolleces que te hacen preguntarte el por qué de tu existencia. La producción es buenísima, una de las mejores de la lista hasta ahora, suena orgánico real pero depurado y limpio al mismo tiempo. Tiene sentido, pues entra en esa franja de años donde peakearon las producciones del rock/metal. Lo odio pero es buenísimo. 8/10—>4/5
I really liked this one. I was aware of this band, but had never listened to them.
new find, really nice, made its way into my gym playlist
Knappt att i believe in a thing called love ens är höjdpunkten här. För jävla fullproppat med bangers! Är underhållen så in i helvete. Saker får väl bara vara lite skoj ibland?! Ett par fillers i andra halvan som är onödigt radiopoppiga, som ”friday night”. Men det räddas upp direkt med ”Love on the rocks with no ice”. Vilken rökare. Lyssnat igenom drygt två gånger och skulle kunna lyssna om ett par vändor till utan att tröttna. Det indikerar stark 4a igen? 5a?
Riktigt fett! Trodde inte jag skulle digga glam rock. Känns som Dino skulle kunna ta detta på karaoke
Stackars stackars The Darkness. Här har man förvarat dem precis bakom fiskpinnarna 11 månader om året för att tinas upp lagom till jul som vore de Michael Bublé. Men jösses vilket ös vi bjuds på. Ge. Mig. Mer!
så roligt så campy så glam!
Inte emo-rock precis. Kul, feta refränger (Get your hands off of my woman motherfucker) och tunga riff. Riktigt bra rockbryggor också. Hasse Fröberg-klass! Vad mer kan man önska sig? Kanske att de kapat någon av de sista låten och varför börjar de med albumets sämsta låt? Klarar med bravur konststycket att inte låta som en pastisch av 70-/80-talet. Mycket tack vare otroliga popdängor i – a jag kommer gå dit – Abba-klass. Låt 2 till 9 är otroliga. Har nog underskattat hur bra Darkness är bortom all spandex.
Loud, camp, a lot of fun! Definitely on the list for relisten as an instant pick me up
Some good ol AC/DC branded cock rock. Hell yeah. This falsetto voice is really unique, and quite fun to try mimicking. The singles really hit hard, you can tell they've gotten the most love on the album. The rest is pretty damn cool too but not as exciting
Good album! I remember excitedly buying the CD when it came out; packed with fun and catchy songs. Better than classic hard rock and hair metal because it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Favorite tracks: Get Your Hands Off My Woman, Growing On Me, I Believe In A Thing Called Love, Love Is Only A Feeling, Friday Night Well, that was a surprise! I figured I'd like this; like any good millennial, I was obsessed with I Believe In A Thing Called Love back when it came out. I didn't expect the rest of the album to be sooo up my alley. Great melodies, fun energy. Wish I had checked this out all those years ago!
Good operatic metal
If you like AC/DC mixed with a little Tenacious D, you’ll like this! Few real bangers
Feels like a parody of glam rock, but a really goddamn good one.
This album is utterly derivative, but also good fun and to be honest, I prefer it to a lot of the work it takes inspiration from. I know the Darkness got very frustrated with being labeled a joke rock band because they were totally out of sync with the music at the time, other than Tenacious D and Electric Six, which were joke bands. However, when you write songs about pubic lice or bellends and ringpieces, alongside your songs about herion addiction what do you really expect? All in all though, I like this album quite a bit. The falsetto singing fits with the over the top silliness of the genre. I'd certainly rather listen to this than something like Aerosmith or Motley Crue.
I'd include this album on a list of 1001 simply based on "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" and "Love Is Only A Feeling". The rest of it ranges from fine, to pretty good. It's all FUN. I've never met anyone that dislikes this album. Everyone finds it enjoyable, although there are huge variations in irony. Through no fault of my own and through none of my own doing, this album was HEAVILY prevalent in my life in 2010. It was constantly popping up.
Hate the high voice. Love the music.
Fuck YES
Phenomenal! Brought me back to being 13 years old, knew every song on the album. Only a few duds, the rest still holds up. Growing On Me is still one of my favourites
Gui-TAR!
A solid album, I love the vibe it’s going for and the throwback to the 70s rock scene. I think it really tris too hard at some points and the falsettos can be a lot of a few tracks, but overall is great. 4 stars
As much as it rocks and I dig the tunes, the falsetto kinda grates after a while
Ahh yes, the "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" guys, as they are known to Americans like me who have viewed this band as a One Hit Wonder in our country. I was messaging a girl on one of those contrived dating apps many moons ago and she told me her favorite band was The Darkness, and she was seriously into them even as she knew not many people knew about them. But you don't forget "I Believe In A Thing Called Love", a very early 2000s rock song that...works actually. And this album was....surprisingly pretty good. Especially as rock and roll was beginning to decline from its highest points of the 60s-90s. Even more surprising from a band that actually manages to mix glam metal and hard rock to make it not so very "cringe". I'm not sure there's much else to explore from this band, one of many to "suffer" with their debut album also being their creative best. They have a cultish following in America and are probably bigger in their homeland in the UK. Does it belong on this list? Ehhhhhhh, there's a lot worse on this list and The Darkness are sort of rock and roll (and more certainly for Glam Metal)'s last grasp of being in the mainstream. Also god damn yeah that dude can sing incredibly high pitched. That's probably worthy of the inclusion alone aside from their biggest hit. Wonder how many glasses he broke as a pub trick. The Darkness might have peaked quick and early, but they left some kind of impact: that you can make glam metal and not be totally cringe or too in on the joke like Steel Panther (good band).
I own this album. It is excellent and absurd in all the best ways.
Fucking great album! Nostalgic and also surprising - not really any bad songs a few I hadn’t heard that were as good as the popular ones. Amazing voice it’s hard to believe they haven’t held onto the amount of success they had with this album.
A latter day rock classic!
Possibly the most precisely 3.5 album I've run into on here. It's better than a three, they know exactly what they're doing and are nailing it, but giving it a full four stars feels crazy. But I'm limited by the tools available to me, so congratulations, this thing really wails.
Fun songs. And glad to finally enjoy the missing link that gave us NSP.
I love this album in all its over the top and half satirical loudness. Doesn't really have any business being on this list though.
4/5 - aside from my favourite track, I Believe in a Thing Called Love, this was just a generally good rock album
I have a huge soft spot for this one as I really appreciated the silly over the top glam back in the day. I can’t say that it’s vital enough to be on this list but I do appreciate that they never took themselves too seriously but still rocked as hard as they could. IBiaTCL is still a rocking great tune.
Well, I had heard their famous song, as probably most everyone had. But I came away thinking that The Darkness is underrated within this genre of rock and roll music.
Enjoyed this, what a voice and great guitar licks.
That was pretty good. Need to listen again
When Morrissey is being miserable, when Cohen has gone bleak, when The Residents have tried to assault you aurally; put on your nan's cancer wig, your sisters gymnastics leotard and rock the fuck out. The absence of pretension is a beautiful thing and whilst this isn't going to challenge Dylan's nobel prize for Literature, my kids at 2, 5 and 9 thought this was great, especially the swearing. If you liked this then look for their Christmas song (of course they have a Christmas song)
Fuck yeah, those were the days.
Fun album!
Interesting. Not really a big fan of this style of music, especially the vocals. But for some reason it kind of clicked and I did end up enjoying it, including the vocals.
I liked this album more than I was expecting to. There are a lot of fun and catchy pop rock songs on here
If you lean into the cheesiness it’s a fun album.
glam rock with heavily distorted guitars and a flamboyant charismatic frontman with falsetto for days. this was a fun album. highlights: “get your hands off my woman” “i believe in a thing called love” “friday night”
A banger
Had way too much fun with this one. Still never gonna look for this genre on purpose. Low 4
Didn't realise I was a Darkness fan
Holy moses, I wasn't expecting this to appear. The Darkness are simply unapologetically classic hard rock big riffs, big vocals, big guitar solos. I can only assume the idea was "Lets do Queen but over the top and have fun." It would be easy to call it cliche, if it wasnt so obviously silly and self aware. Dont take it too seriously just enjoy the hard fast rock.
My socks have been rocked!! Screaming solos and solos of screaming could get even the most curmudgenly soul bobbin their head to this. I'd only ever heard thing called love before but the album was full of bangers
Freddy Mercury and Meatloaf had twins: the Hawkins brothers.
An old fashion rock out with your cock out album yet made in the 2000's I'll take it.
The only Darkness song I’m acquainted with is “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.” I’m guessing that song is a pretty good indicator of what I can expect with this album, and if that’s the case, I think I’m about to be in for a pretty good time! Permission to Land was pretty fun to listen to, but it definitely had its peaks and valleys. The peaks were fun, and blasted with solid guitar riffs, while the valleys were mostly forgettable. The Darkness might only have one trick up their sleeve, but they seem to have a lot of fun with that trick, and their energy was pretty infectious at times. “Black Shuck” set the tone for the album really well, with some great guitar playing and fun energy. “Growing on Me” had an eighties pop rock vibe to it that I really liked. The guitar licks, and vocals were great, and the lyrics were infectious. This song sounded like it would have fit right in on a soundtrack in the mid-eighties. “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” was definitely one of the high points on the album. The guitar playing and vocals were excellent, and everything was mixed perfectly. The pre-chorus is my favorite part of the song, with some of the best falsettos on the album. I really enjoyed the slower tempo and more ballad-y sound of “Love Is Only a Feeling.” For an album that relies a lot on tongue-in-cheek innuendo, this song felt really sincere and worked well. I loved the higher register of the guitar playing on the chorus, and the acoustic guitar sounds on the verses were great too. “Friday Night” fell into this category as well, and I loved the hopeless romantic and puppy love feeling to the lyrics. It reminded me of that optimism you feel when you have a crush on someone. “Holding My Own” was one of the cleverest songs on the album. I enjoyed the contrast between the softer sound and the bawdy lyrics. The main guitar riff was really great, and the vocals sounded really good too. While Permission to Land isn’t without its faults, its peaks far outstrip the songs that feel like filler, creating an album that’s really solid and fun.
A very fun throwback. Especially the guitarwork is very fun.
4/5
When this first came out 20+ years ago I didn't get it. Today I hear a group of guys born in the wrong era but having the time of their lives. What a fun, unashamed, gloriously camp album.
What a fun album! Besides the massive hit that everyone knows and loves, my favourite tracks were: Givin' Up Love Is Only A Feeling Friday Night 4.25
Muy disfrutable. Qué sería de ellos
This album is just goofy fun. From the album cover that looks like a classic B-movie poster, to the other the top solo's and vocal delivery. The layer of irony and fun that this album brings makes it a lot more interesting than the sources it's derived from. I would rather listen to this over Queen or any number of poorly aged Hair Metal bands. I Believe In A Thing Called Love is a great song and a bunch of the others here work well as standalone singles too.
Das hat mir gefallen! Glam Rock, irgendwie cool.
Fun modern rock!
This was fun! After all the 80s Hair Bands retire or go on reunion tours, this group decided to "Land" on the scene brining back the genre
A debut album named Permission to Land is pretty cute. Add onto that, the album is full of glam rock, like The Darkness was transported from 1978 to 2003, but they still made their own sound. Justin Hawkins isn't the first to use a falsetto with glam rock, but The Darkness just do it so well. The falsetto definitely aids them sounding distinct. I'm just obsessed with how catchy, campy, and fun Permission to Land is. An absolute dream to listen to.
I remember when this album came out, and how exciting it was to have such loud and proud hard rock glam grace us in the year 2003. And my thoughts all these years later? This album definitely holds up. There's excellent vocal work (the lead singer's outstanding falsetto is to be commended) and the music itself is catchy as hell with some real skill. There was just nothing else like this at the time, and as someone who was consuming copious amounts of 80s hair metal at the time, this was a real treat. Some people can't seem to get into the campiness of this album, but I'm absolutely here for it. Also, if you like Queen, miss me with your hate on this album, because I guess we are cherry picking which glam rock is corny and which is epic, but the two bands are cut from the same cloth.
Great album with a banger and a whole lot that should have been more popular. One of the best rip it rock n roll albums of the 21st century.
It was pretty decent easy listening metal. Not quite up there with Richie B and Rainbow but the lead did have a solid voice and the tempo was driving.
Smutty, sweaty, pure adrenaline ROCK N' ROLL. Think part ACDC, part Queen, mixed with the histrionics. Of course there's I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE, but LOVE IS ONLY A FEELING, and GROWING ON ME kicked some major tailfeather. Score probably elevated due to Justin Hawkins' Youtube music review/tutorials, which give added credibility to their music. Gonna listen to some Alien Ant Farm and the Struts now, for no reason at all.
Permission granted. Might be a bit generic, but this shit slaps. Favourite Song: I Believe in a Thing Called Love Honourable Mentions: Friday Night, Love is Only a Feeling
if you told me that this is generic hard rock I'd believe you but it wouldn't change that this shit sounds pretty fucking solid
Well this was a fun listen. Pure energy from start to finish. Back when this first came out I didn't really take The Darkness seriously as they seemed kind of like a joke band. Turns out I was the joke, because these guys are fantastic! There's definitely a good amount of cheese in the music, but the vibe is really just one of absolute fun.
Yeah. Rock on you krazy freaks. Let your yodel be heard across the open plan office; let your bright socks raise eyebrows; don't be constrained by a pony tail when you could be whipping that thing around in the lift; who loves you? Out of The Darkness comes a helium balloon with YOUR NAME on it. Kisses! 3 star album with an extra one for cheerfulness.
Me cae bien este tipo. Es un disco formidable. Algo que ya no esperaba escuchar a esas alturas de milenio o de vida. Para la perfección le falta algo de estructura de disco. La colección de canciones es muy buena pero falta algo de narrativa, variaciones instrumentales.. algo de respiro de riff a riff.
So many good memories of when this album came out. I heard it and said, "Finally, they brought AC/DC-esque rock into the 2000's!". Before it was NuMetal, garage band sounding groups, but nothing that just said, let's bring back 70's glam rock and own it. The Darkness did it, and did it well. I'm a bit biased because I like 95% of glam rock music, there are exceptions, but for the most part I like it and these guys hold to it faithfully, maybe to a fault. I'm sure this album will be roasted on this list, but I like it. 3.79/5 stars Songs you can't skip: Get Your Hands Off My Woman Growing on Me I Believe in a Thing Called Love Love Is Only A Feeling Stuck In A Rut
Campy, cheesy and I wouldnt want it any other way
4.5 because of the song
- Givin Up Gitarrensolo
I remember IBIATCL coming out as a child, and loved it. I then remember it being on singstar. This album feels like a group of fellas playing singstar, guitar hero and rock band and just having a fucking good time. It’s not Hall of Fame material, but it’s a bloody fun time
# Album Name: Permission to land # Artist: The Darkness # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: You have to take the darkness for what they are. If you didnt know who they were, what they were and the era they came out, then you would think they were a decent entry. Theres a lot worse bands than these guys from the OG era. The band is actually very tight. Theres som great guitar work on the record too. Admittedly, there a lot of glam tongue in cheek on it. I remember when this came out, it was big. First half of the album is very good. Quality drops on the 2nd half. # Top Tunes: Black shuck / hand off my woman / growing on me / thing called love / love is only a feeling / friday night / holding my own # Would I listen to it again? yes
Awesome album - thought this band was way older. Crazy vocals.
Holy falsetto Batman! Honestly thought it was a bit too much but found the album enjoyable nonetheless. Also this is one of those albums where you find a pleasant surprise and this one is discovering that these guys sing, "I Believe in a Thing Called Love". 7/10
Fun Rick
immediately on my karaoke playlist
Lord forgive me Fav song: I Believe In A Thing Called Love or Growing On Me
I have listened to I Believe In A Thing Called Love before (fantastic song), but was unfamiliar with anything else this group has done. Black Shuck is a great tone setter. Just straight good rock music right in the veins. Get Your Hands Off My Woman is equally as good. Others that stood out were Love On The Rocks and Makin' Out. This album kicked ass. Solid 4.
Just a good old fashioned fun glam rock album. No messing around when it came from them they just wanted to make some straight up rock. Probably helped me a lot in my review since I just randomly saw them last year at Ocean's Calling and they were one of the most fun bands I saw. 10/10 would see them live again.
GIVE ME A D!!! GIVE ME AN ARKNESS!!!! These guys ruled at Oceans Calling last year they put on a hell of a show. Admittedly not my favorite genre of music, but the nostalgia hits hard with this one, watching the music video for I Believe In a Thing Called Love pretty much every morning on MTV. Also helps that I got back into this album and band last year when they played at Oceans Calling. Standout tracks for me are Get Your Hands Off My Woman, I Believe In a Thing Called Love, Love Is Only a Feeling, Love on the Rocks with No Ice.
Interesting choice. All I knew about these guys is that I Believe In A Thing Called Love was a lukewarm alternative radio hit. I half-expected the rest of the album would be bad but to my surprise it lived up to my expectations from only knowing the hit. It’s something you don’t hear much of — a new take on 80s rock scene. You could call it something like second-wave glam, or post-hair…or maybe not. Either way, it builds on the legacy of its hair metal predecessors that the entire world seemed to burn out of on September 26, 1991 (when Nevermind was released) and becomes something new and fresh. It strikes the delicate balance between the glam rock pizzaz and musical originality, one that later bands of similar post-hair waves, like The Struts, fumbled. Fun album, thank you list!
Loved it. Never listened to them other than a thing called love
Upon greeting The Darkness and their debut album Permission to Land, one cannot help but think that this indebtedness towards the more bombastic, very extravagant side of rock and roll was a parody; a pisstake of some of the more egregious facets of genre. And yet, when coming away from it, respect has to be given for The Darkness often sound very sincere and genuine about their approach. Had they found any other lane, they would not fare well at all. You'd be surprised by how enjoyable the majority of this was. Permission to land has been granted. Favorites: Black Shuck, Get Your Hands Off My Woman, I Believe in a Thing Called Love, Love is Only a Feeling, Stuck in a Rut, Love on the Rocks With No Ice.
Permission to Land So many great memories of this album that justifiably colour my feelings about it, particularly Reading Festival, but even trying to listen objectively it’s clear that it is a top quality retro-glam-metal-pop-rock album, that takes the songwriting but not itself too seriously. That’s not an easy tightrope to walk, it could easily come across as insincere parody, or self important guff, but it manages to stay upright in a spirit of over the top daft fun and enjoyment, especially over the first half - Black Shuck, Get Your Hands off My Woman, Growing on Me, I Believe in a Thing Called Love and Love is Only a Feeling is a truly excellent run of songs. It does fade a little after that, struggling to keep the level of quality as high as the first 5 tracks, although I do like Stuck in a Rut and Love on the Rocks with No Ice Aside from Spinal Tap, the comparison people often make is Queen, but I don’t really see that as much - they share a visual theatricality, but musically it is much more AC/DC and Guns’n’Roses style harder classic rock with some glam, and a super pop sensibility offered in a great spirit with a sense of humour. It's still massively enjoyable, but due to it fading somewhat in the 2nd half it lands as a rock solid 4. 🛬🛬🛬🛬 Playlist submission: I Believe In a Thing Called Love is obviously a great song, but Love is Only a Feeling resonated strongly with me for some reason so I’ll go with that
Just good fun
Man idk I know it’s goofy and kitschy and silly but I thought this was a banger. I remember loving these guys back in 2004 and I can’t believe that was over 20 years ago and I’m an adult now JEESUS but I always thought they should have been bigger. I know they have a very dedicated fan base that keeps them going but they’re such a fun band. Justin Hawkins’s voice is incredible, and the hooks are THERE. I had such a good time listening to this yesterday. Maybe not high art, but quality art nonetheless.
Not something I’d expect to be on this list but a fun surprise! This rocked. I know it’s absurd and cartoonish, but the songs were fun and the harmonic solos kicked ass. Pretty funny that it sounds like it could been made 20-25 years earlier in time and would fit in perfectly on classic rock radio. I would do a 4.5 if I could because the execution is perfect, but I think it is just too derivative to get a 5.
A fun, albeit a bit corny English rock album. Definitely full of good songs and well made. Enjoyed it.