Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Is it glam? Is it cock rock? Who cares. It's fun, fully committed, and way too much of a thing, good or not. Sounds like if John Fred were really into Def Leppard. I like I Believe in a Thing Called Love but since it's the fourth track, I'm finding the rest of the album increasingly trying.
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.
it feels like vocals are by mickey mouse. music is bland.
First impressions opening riff of opening song: The Cult. All down hill from there. I believe in a thing called love only familiar track. Friday night feels like Cure Friday I’m in love. Overall music is fun in spots - big arena rock, hair bands of the 80s vibe - but falsetto vocals and cheesy, shallow lyrics kill it. Love on the rocks with no ice? Uft. This is bad parody. Fall out boy, panic at disco, etc of the early 2000s but worse. 2/5 UPDATE AFTER 60 ALBUMS - I have a better sense now what is a 2 vs a 1. This is trash. Downgrading. 1/5
british ac/dc mixed with quirky vocals and cool instrumentals
Kinda gave like 80’s rock album but done in the 2000’s lmao. Cool stuff esp that hit song haha
Respect for these guys to make a glam rock album in the 2003 and make it work. Love seeing guys do what they do best. Anyways not my type of tea.
Hadn't heard this before. Not one for me but decently done.
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 really want to like these guys but some songs just grate on my nerves. Others I really like
Pretty good.
Old head arena rock from 2000, like Boston but way worse, they do it well but 0 originality
This came out when I was in high school, and I thought I Believe In A Thing Called Love was the stupidest song I had ever heard. I was young and dumb. What a banger that song is if you don’t take it too seriously, and this approach is recommended for The Darkness in general. It’s all about fun and celebrating the excesses of rock and roll. IBIATCL is the highlight here, it’s a lightning in a bottle type of song, but on revisiting this Givin’ Up is another standout track to me.
Yeah, nope. Almost grabbed me once or twice, but honestly, all of the f*$ks and moth@$^ckers were a turn off. I'm fine with cursing in lyrics, but this was over the top. Lots of music from this band, they're still recording, but it's all slipped by me. That must mean that the Venn diagram that includes this music does not intersect with my tastes. Another puzzler on the "1001 to hear before you die" list. I've heard it, but I'm not in a better place because I have. Fingers crossed for better things tomorrow, the last two have been duds.
I thought this one was a lot of fun. I liked the vocals but I can understand why people wouldn't. There are maybe some moments where it's too much for me. It's a little cheesy, but the energy is so fun I can forgive it. Not sure I'd come back to it, but I had a good time listening. Fav song: I Believe in a Thing Called Love - probably because I was already more familiar with it. I also liked Love Is Only a Feeling, Friday Night and Love on the Rocks with No Ice Least fav: Black Shuck
It's not the worst thing i've ever heard but including it in this list is crazy
Very corny 70's/80's Hair Metal / Glam Metal revivalism. No original Hair Metal albums appear on this list, which is the right call. But this begs the question: Why include this one then? It's certainly not better or worse than the genre's original run, it is funnier and self-aware, which is good I guess. Did critics at the time like this one a lot? Was the nostalgia cycle already at the point of giving this genre a critical reassessment? No need to do that, I think critics got it right the first time. Key tracks: I Believe in a Thing Called Love
A little off beat but I still liked it!
This album was very good, it’s got a hard rock and glam edge that a lot of (popular) albums of its era don’t and the vocals are really good. I absolutely loved “Growing On Me” and “Holding My Own” this was a good album that I’d never even heard of before now.
This album has a handful of really great songs and a few okay ones, but I'm just such a sucker for it. Every time I hear a song from this album I have to listen to the whole thing like five times in a row. I think I'm a Darkness junkie.
Excellent British rock. Over the top fun.
The band is pretty good. I just wish the singer would not use his falsetto voice on EVERY. DAMN. SONG. "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" is typical of the fare of this album, and even in this big song I don't think the singer is keeping up with the band. He is trying to sing faster to the point he is out of breath. I can't imagine how he does it live. I would like the album more, but the singer is just... gah. Top tracks: "Friday Night," "Givin' Up," "I Believe In A Thing Called Love"
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.
Incredibly derivative - sounds like an 80s hair metal band, with a cheesy lead singer. The band itself plays well and generally rocks, but I really dislike the singer's voice. Rightly removed from the 1001. Songs I almost liked: Love is Only a Feeling, Love on the Rocks with no Ice. Moving on.
Det var virkelig ikke noget for mig, jeg lyttede ikke rigtig til det. Det var for rocket. Sikkert meget godt, hvis man er ude efter den vibe…
This is absolutely ridiculous, but also very fun
Very of its times I think. Not a big fan unfortunately. Not a huge fan of the vocalist. Specific rating - 3.1 Fav song- love is only a feeling Least fav- love on the rocks with no ice
An album made to be sung in the shower. Bit too screamy for me at points. Favourite: Friday Night Least: Stuck in a Rut
I love rock music that is fun and unserious! I know Justin Hawkins voice is marmite but I enjoy, plus they were so good live! Favs: I believe in a thing called love, Growing on me, Love is only a feeling Least: Givin’ up
Not interested.
Shreds, own this CD, but had only really listened to IBIATCL, the classic single. I'm into Makin Out and Givin' Up, those are actually two of my fave activities anyway.
I liked this when it was released, partly because of the over the top approach. Nowadays I just find it okay. Has good songs but is not one of the best retro rock albums.
I can remember hearing this for the first time and thinking 'they're just taking the absolute piss on every track'. Later in life, I would take on the 1001 albums generator challenge and listen to a lot of AC/DC, Aerosmith, Thin Lizzy and Guns 'n' Roses and realise that they were 𝙖𝙡𝙡 taking the piss pretty much all the time. I reckon The Darkness do it with a bit more obvious humour, irony and self-awareness, so fair play to them. The vocals, let's be honest, are pretty incredible and it's great to hear some joyous, unashamed rock riffs after a fairly indifferent run of albums lately. Givin' Up and I Believe In A Thing Called Love are frankly wonderful.
Bonus point for 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love'
Very fun album. I love the guitars on this, and the energy is infectious. The falsetto singing gets a bit much over the length of the album, but overall this is really good
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
Meh, unoriginal guitar noise.
🎧It’s fine. I don’t love it, I don’t hate it.
I vaguely recall my brother mentioning The Darkness as a fun hair-metal-esque band for the 21st century. And while he might have even given me one of their albums, I think this is the first time I've listened to them, and I can definitely see what he meant now, especially with the opening track "Black shuck" storming out of the gates and never looking back (and very cool that the song was based on a legend of a dog that haunts a church near the band's hometown). Screaming falsettos, power chords aplenty, blistering guitar licks and a veritable wall of distortion; this one has it all, down to the somewhat embarrassingly adolescent titles and lyrics. It's not really the type of album to have too many highlights, only because they're probably 20 years too late to get the kind of airplay they'd have deserved in the 80s, but I'd say that they had a few perfectly tuned tracks in "Growing on me", "I believe in a thing called love", "Stuck in a rut", and the epic "Love on the rocks with no ice". Not the best album ever (by a long shot), but definitely fun, and I can see why they're compared to the likes of Queen,as they have the same kind of energy and over the top commitment that's not quite camp.
listened to the first three songs; noted my hatred of the falsetto; acquired headache; stop listening.
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
Not bad for a “joke band”! IBIATCL is a classic tune
Look, I honestly thought this band is a joke band/the album is a joke band. I was impressed... Looking forward to hear more
i love the darkness
Mer mues säge dass ehre Frontsinger e beidrockendi Stemm hed, vorallem met sim Falsetto. Vorallem im "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" zeigt är sie rächt guet. Au "Love is only a Feeling" esch e rächte Banger. Sie hend debi e ganz eigete Stil. Dä esch zwar eigentlech no geil, aber werd ergendeinisch no relativ Langwiilig. Au setzed sie extrem of Rockgitarre ond Schlagzüg-Kombo was mer cha mache, mer aber schnell z repetitiv werd.
The music is good but the vocals bring it back to average. 3 stars or C+.
Meh! The Sweet do stadium rock. It's Ok, but not great.
Confirms that I do not particularly like glam rock. They've got some excellent guitar work, but the voice is killing me...
I remember when this album came out. The high pitched voice. The Guitar riffs. It feels like 80s hair rock made 20 years to late but still exactly when it was meant to. It came out of nowhere and is just as good today as I remember it when I first heard it in 2003 more than 20 years later.
it has every element of music that i love, and yet...
Only knew that one song, I Believe in a Thing Called Love, but dang this was a solid album! Will be back later!
The vocals are scathing. The music is recycled and unoriginal. This is...not good.
As a lover of weird vocal styles, this might grow on me but on first listen it was a swing and a miss.
It was good but not my thing.
Underwhelming and over indulgent. A very goofy and dated sound with shrieking vocals that sour a lot of songs. The mainstream hits are decent radioplay, but nothing I'd ever come back to. Top tracks: I Believe in a Thing Called Love, Love Is Only a Feeling
Really nostalgic and great fun.
Slayed
only ever heard I Believe in a Thing Called Love in the past, and i don't recall any other major hits from this group since. hopefully the rest of the album is decent Black Shuck - 3/5 Get Your Hands off My Woman - 1/5 Growing on Me - 3/5 I Believe in a Thing Called Love - 4/5 Love Is Only a Feeling - 5/5 Givin' Up - 2/5 Stuck in a Rut - 2/5 Friday Night - 3/5 Love on the Rocks with No Ice - 3/5 Holding My Own - 3/5 Makin' Out - 2/5 Average score: 2.8/5 (rounding up) two songs in and it's abundantly clear to me that this is gimmicky glam rock. not that there's anything wrong with that i guess my enjoyment of the vocalist's performance overall is like 50/50. i feel like he was overdoing it at times, particularly on Get Your Hands off My Woman. like we get it man, you can hit high notes after listening in full, i guess i can say this was okay for what it is; it's camp, it's tongue-in-cheek, and obviously not trying to be taken seriously. this isn't an album i'm likely to return to in full though
Meh still think of them as one hit wonders. But that hit does enough to bring it to 3 stars
I've always felt like the Darkness don't take themselves super seriously, and that's not a bad thing. Justin has fun with the vocals, the band is great behind him. I've never thought there was anything groundbreaking about this album, but I've always enjoyed it. I feel like this album has a great mash of rock influences shining through. From hair metal, to ACDC, to Queen, it's all evident.
A good rock record and a notable level of production that goes into a compilation of fun songs to listen to. A different style than the rest of the bands at the time.
I rate I Believe In A Thing Called Love a 2 star because its kinda of like country and i don´t really like country but its like rook mixed with metalica and the drums are good ⭐⭐. I rate Get You´r Hand´s Off My Women a 2 star because its kinda of like country and i don´t really like country but its like rook mixed with metalica and the drums are good and it´s a little deep but its good ⭐⭐. I rate Stuck In A Rut a 2 star because its kinda of like country and i don´t really like country but its like rook mixed with metalica and the drums are good and it´s a little deep but its good ⭐⭐.
Song: i believe in a thing called love this song is good but not a song i usually listen to but it is good for some reason when he says the ooh- hoo it reminds me of the movie lorax Song: get your hands of my women this song is good but i really dont like it because there are a lot of bad words which i dont like Song: Stuck in a rut this song is good but i really do not like the bad words. It could be without bad words
The album cover is pretty cool. I like the music, just not the singer's voice. Overall, the album is fire.
I don't like this song because of the beat. I would not recommend this song. I don't like the song because the singer changes his voice, and I don't like it. I would not recommend this song. I don't like this song because it has a horrible beat and the guy sounds weird.I would not recommend this song.
I like the first song because there is a really good beat, I also really like the singer's voice, and I like the way the singer uses the lyrics. The whole album is very good. I am a big fan of it
Do you want to listen to some music that has a lot of percussion? Well in I Believe in a Thing Called Love you can! I rate this song a ⭐⭐. I don't recommend this song. Do you want to listen to some music that has a lot of electric guitar? Well in Get Your Hands Off My Woman you can! I rate this song a ⭐⭐. I don't recommend this song. Do you want to listen to some music that has a lot of electric guitar? Well in Stuck in a Rut you can! I rate this song a ⭐⭐. I don't recommend this song.
I don't like this album because it's rock and because I don't like the lyrics. I would not recommend this to someone else because I don't think they would like it. I give this 2 stars.
i dont really like it its not a song i would listen too. the second song i dont like i would not listen to it the third song i dont like ethier just like the first i would not listen to it
i dont like this ablum very much the sounf is boring to me
the first song I don't like it cs of da lyrics, voice, and yea that's it I don't like anything about it, its making my head hurt like fr. the second song is bad to like what is this voice hello? its bad it js like da first song bro why does he even play this bro at da end of da song what the flip they thought they ate oms. the last song is the same thing as the other ones their really bad oms like fr I ain even gon say nun abt dis song it b to bad 0/10
the first song is good i like how the guitar sounds at the start i dont really like how the words are said but i like the drums i also like how all the instruments sound together there is not much more to say about this song. the next song is good i like how the instruments sound at the start and the guitar kinda sounds like it would be in a green day song i also like how everything sounds together. the last song is good It's calmer than the other songs i like it all the instruments sound good together there is not much more to say about this album overall this album is good I recommend it.
I believe in a thing called love song I don't really like because its a lot of rock and then the drums are good the singer sings super good but the guitar I don't really like the noises Get your hand off my woman I don't like becuase the singer sings in a high pitch and the drums are very good and the guitar is too but over rall this song I don't like
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!
This was fun, tho that guy really can’t reach the high notes without forcing, couldn’t really relisten.
This is pretty lit! I knew only one song but the rest is also great
I have no idea if this album belongs in the 1,000 all-time, but I thought it was great. This artist and album is a new discovery for me, I love 80s rock-metal and I refuse to apologize for it. In fact, I feel bad for the rest of you. The rock riffs, the spectacular falsetto vocals - it is all very reminiscent of a flat-out rock band playing the Sunset Strip in the late 80s, early 90s. Solid 4⭐️ for me.
Not particularly deep by any means, but a hell of a lot of fun. An unabashed homage to the 1980s hair and glam bands (that I love) with only a little in updated production values as a clue that this is actually an album from 2003. 3⭐️
Not quite
Some nice random fun. 4 stars
Oh well, I've avoided this all these years. Got to listen to it now though. At the first few bars I thought I was listening to an album by Acca Dacca, that soon changed when Justin opened his mouth. The band played some very good, very strong heavy metal. And I was mightily impressed. But and good work they did was totally destroyed by Justin's voice. Awful doesn't even begin to describe it. The one bright point was Love Is Only A Feeling, which he decided to sing properly. Now don't get me wrong I don't have a dislike of guys with high voices. Ian Gillan can scream a perfect top C, and did a truly amazing duet with Richie Blackmore. And Joe Payne's voice on The One and The Many by the Enid is outstanding. But Justin Hawkins voice is just a total mismatch. And means I can only award a 1
Once you get past the very heavy layer of cheese, it’s really a very competent album. The big hit was overplayed to death, and they really seemed to play up to the exaggerated caricatures they created for themselves. And why not? (££££s). I really did enjoy listening to this. So it’s an unashamed 4 from me.
Musically this is ok for some sort of neo-glam rock thing. Then Justin opens his gob and it just becomes a parody of the genre which the world could have done without. That said it was fun in places.
Really this album???
I kind of dig the music - great guitar work on here but that singer is hard to suffer. I’ll average the 4 for music and the 2 for vocals.
They were always a gimmick. Maybe more of a parody then a tribute. All that being said Thing Called Love is a pretty good song. The rest of the album was fine.
I’ve never been sure if they were a joke or not. But after string of bad albums, I actually enjoyed this one. Probably getting a star more than it deserves but I’m okay with it.
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.
Unserious (but not insincere), catchy, sturdy rock music. It's kinda fun that a band was making glam rock like this in 2003. It didn't move me, but I had a good time listening to it. "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" is a crazy banger, which helps.
Sounded cool, I had headphones too
I mean, it's fun. Ridiculous. But fun.
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”
not for me
This is a very strange album. I genuinely think the 80’s should be left in the 80’s, anything desperately trying to revive glam rock is really not for me. That said, the song “I believe in a thing called love” is a classic and I cannot find a single fault with it specifically. The rest of the album just doesn’t hit a single positive note for me. Gonna have to pass on this one. 2*
This album is… very… something. It’s clear, even from looking at the album cover, that they take a lot of inspiration from certain kinds of 70s-80s bands and it seems they just wanna rock. Which I guess they do. It’s just… so much. This falls into the same niche as Queen or Meatloaf for me in terms of gaudy, over-the-top nonsense that technical prowess doesn’t redeem for me. There was one song I thought was alright. I think it might have been “Love Is Only A Feeling”, or maybe “Holding My Own”. I dunno. Not worth finding out.
Cool album art that's about it didn't like I believe in a thing called love that much really
"I Believe In A Thing Called Love" is such an undeniable top hit. Yeah, it was absolutely everywhere when it came out, but it's a fun earworm and I'll sing along with those high notes anytime it's on. The rest of the album sounds like any other glam/hair/rock, but I guess the interesting thing about The Darkness is they were doing this a good 20? 30? years after it's prime. Good for them, I'm sure they had fun making the album.
Not too bad, could be worse. I did not mind listening to this, but I would not choose to put this on.
Good album but not great. They are like a mix between Queen, Kiss, and AC/DC… all rock. Just not quite memorable enough to move them into the “great” category.
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
I remember these guys being promoted as a goofy, fun, Spinal-Tap-style rock band. But it turns out they're just really fucking boring.
Unmemorable hard rock
3.5 I’d say overall some strong songs but they all sounded the same
yeah this kinda stuff just ain’t rlly my thing lol
This album rocks hard! I wish the vocalist didn't sing in that range, but it works.
Was not expecting to dig this as much as I did. They are like a joke band that takes their craft very seriously. Super campy, super cheeky but also super well written and performed. I enjoyed the inspired blend of classic rock styles: glam, hair metal, AC/DC, all done in this knowingly absurd manner. Also kind of cool that the lead vocalist sounds like a young Thom Yorke.
You could say this album "landed" on my recommendations. I'm not keen on the style of "Permission to Land". The frequent falsettos honestly suck. I did like the rest of the Darkness performing. This week's a dud. 2 stars for "Permission to Land".
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.
The Darkness brought the light with this project. Am overwhelmingly smash of a record man. They absolutely killed it, lost me at a couple of moments on this record but they had me by the balls for the most of it. Just goes to show how much better your rock music can be when the voice of your lead singer doesn’t make you want to claw your eyes out. (Looking at you shrilly voice guy from The Only Ones) & I just cleaned the hell out of my house to this damn record, bravo!
Great single, had awesome time watching a clip to this song on MTV back in the day (it was 20 years ago?!). Never listened to the album, but remembering I Believe In A Thing Called Love I had a high hopes. Turns out the whole record, all 30 minutes is the same song over and over again, just woth slightly different riff and new, but thematically same lyrics. The main vocal is pretty good in a sample size of 3 minutes, but 10x more classifies as a torture in Guantanamo. Once again, cool songs, but take a break of few weeks to few months before listening to another one.
Ha, I have been looking forward to this, since I had seen it while browsing what else might come in the 1001. Not as in looking forward to listening to this album, per se, but to getting this in the context of this project here. Because, look, this is dumb, but not any dumber than any of the music The Darkness was stoked to bring back; ironically or not, I don't care. And that hair glam hard rock has every right to exist in 2003, if we are to accept any of the garage rock revival bands everyone and their mates founded at that same time. Outside of the hit single, I had not listened to it before, but: It's fun. Plus, somehow, Justin Dawkins' channel appeared quite a bit in what Youtube decided to suggest to me over the years - he seems like a nice, proper dude. Did I or anyone need to hear that before our deaths? Oh, nah. But there's nothing wrong with it. Did I mention "fun"? Fun.
I Believe in a Thing Called Love //
Good clean fun
A fun album bringing back glam rock to mainstream charts. But I don’t think it’s groundbreaking enough to be on this list. Anyway the second half isn’t as good as the first.
Much respect to a band who can hit a grand slam like this. This is an album that accomplishes all it set out to be and more. At a time when ricknom general was dying, this reanimated corpse of hair metal rigged supreme
I truly love the glam rock sound and killer guitar solos on this record, but some of the vocals really bring it down for me. I hope their latest record is a bit more restrained, but this one is still undeniably a fun time.
Just some fun glam rock, nice little palate cleanser after some of the more out there stuff. Although the vocalist is trying way too hard to stand out with his falsetto voice, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Well isn't this a cheery surprise. I don't know if these guys were taking themselves all that seriously but damn is this the right mix of kickass and silly.
I use to perform in a cover band that had "I believe in a thing called Love" in the set list so I know that song front and back. However, I've never dived into the album before. Really fun. I love that classic rock sound with modern production.
Awesome but a pervasive sense of derivativeness comes over you as you listen. But, as an old friend said about lawnmowers…
We all know that I Believe in a Thing Called Love is living in rare air. But I have t confess that I wasn’t expecting to like this album as much as I did. Some really enjoyable glam rock that sounds like it fell right out of the 80s. I’ve always thought of these guys as one hit wonders, and I’m glad to discover they’ve got plenty more in the tank.
A very fun album with some nice, catchy riffs. I Believe in a Thing Called Love, Love Is Only a Feeling, Friday Night, and Love on the Rocks with No Ice the highlights.
I believe in a thing called love slaps so hard
Ist das noch Glam Rock oder doch schon Metal? So richtig ernst sollte man die Musik nicht nehmen. Aber sie nimmt einen mit positiven Gefühlen mit, auch wenn für mich einmal hören reicht. 3/5
Hell to the no.
Yeah. Here in 2025 we’re as far removed in time from this album as it was from the music it was in conversation with. This thing was so out of place in 2003. It’s a novelty, and that one track is a banger. But, man I dunno, not sure you needed to hear this before you died.
Kudos for being a very very very talented tribute band. I'm sure if you miss the days of hair metal then this would be right up your alley. As much originality as the weetbix I ate this morning. Permission denied.
I hate his voice. Band plays well and is well produced. I like pastiche when it rises above the style it's copying... this is not that. This is cosplay. Some decent tunes and some hits. Otherwise, hard pass.
Not much more than the one hit, which I'd put up against just about any song.
Well this is a weird one, the singing is odd, especially in the first few tracks. It's got a cartoony style to it which is reflected in the cover, and music. But I'm not really sure how I feel about it, there were a few good tracks but most of it was just "okay". I may change my rating in the future since I want to give it another listen, but for now I think this is just middle of the road, not good, not bad. Rating: Mid (Decent ☆☆☆) Favorite Tracks: Givin' Up, Stuck In A Rut, Love On The Rocks With No Ice, and Holding My Own.
THE The Darkness album. All the songs are pretty strong but especially Growing on Me and I Believe in a Thing Called Love.
Musik: Ok! Stimme des Sängers: Gefällt mir nicht bei jedem Song.
Thoughts before listening: Hard rock/hair metal throwbacks whose songs are catchy enough to keep them from being a complete novelty act. Still though its hard to understand why they deserve to be on this list. Review: "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" is great, and the album as a whole is certainly fun. However, I do feel like the vocals come off as strained and fake more than they work. Some of these songs are tough to listen to because of the non-natural sounding high pitched shriek, even if the actual music is pretty enjoyable. I'm giving this 3-stars.
I really don't have the ability to appreciate most of the Hard Rock, Metal albums, to me they all sounds the same. To be honest, this might be a good hard rock revival album but hard rock is not my thing in general.
Up to 11.
smell the glove, lads
Competent, yet generic buttrock, only with an annoyingly over-the-top opera singer. It’s great you’ve got such a vocal range, but you probably shouldn’t build a whole band around it.
Okay college beer pong music days, hell yeah
That was great
Well that was something. Great rock guitars and interesting riffs. The singer sounds like Robert Smith, Geddy Lee and Jack Black were involved in a nuclear experiment and this guy popped out. A little too over the top most of the time, but on "Friday Night" he proves he can sing like a normal person, but he just doesn't want to.
Well that was pretty good fun
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
pretty good rock album actually
Fun fun fun. When they first came out I did not like this at all. As a lover of big hair guitar rock I felt that maybe they were being disingenuous and it was a piss take. However, the further away from the record and the further along The Darkness' career you realise that it comes from a place of respect, skill and... Fun. And why the hell not
Good album. Great crunchy power chords. Annoying falsetto vocals.
10/10 NO NOTES
OMG! As the first chords played, I was transported back in time to the mid 80's. I had just bought an album by an unknown artist and was enraptured by the music. Carried aloft on the chords, anticipating each new twist in the music, the lead singer opened his mouth and brought the whole experience crashing to the ground. WTF?? Change out the lead singer and this albums rates high, if only because it plays to the nostalgia of an old man. With the lead singer, it becomes a bad, unfunny joke about 80's hard rock.
They took the 80's and turned it up to 11. Too bad the singer's voice is just so annoying. The music is corny, catchy, and fantastic - his voice just ruins it for me. 3/5 despite the singer's grating vocals. 3/5
I can only think of this band as a meme. They could have been as good as queen but they didn’t do much with it
I'd only heard I Believe in a Thing Called Love before. I didn't realise how similar Justin Hawkins' non-falsetto voice was to Robert Smith's. That was particularly clear and slightly unsettling on Friday Night. The album as a whole is pretty good if a bit one note, the guitar pyrotechnics do bring a smile to my face.
Epic falsetto over hard-ish rock
Ridiculous. And amazing. A parody? Sure. Rock brilliance? Absolutely.
It's not terrible and I know it's a bit of a goof. But the schtick only lasts for so long before it gets annoying. Plus, his voice irritates me.
Glam rock fun!
Wimpy theatre kid rock
Way too gimmicky. Why is this on this list?
Sure it's fun, and they were fun at the time, but that falsetto is a bit much.
Didn’t think I’d enjoy this one so much. Fun glam metal that somehow ruled the airways when I was in high school. Solid musicianship with a fair amount of talent on display. Not too shabby
Perfect vocal! Nice music. Friday Night is a masterpiece.
3.5 Album starts out really strong, not enough great songs down the stretch.
Kind of split in my opinion on this one. I like it for it's no nonsense guitar rock style, but Justin Hawkins voice doesn't always do it for me. Sometimes his falsetto just kind of seems gimicky, while other times he absolutely sends it. This kind of just made me want to put on Cheap Trick instead. 2.5/3
Mostly didn't care for this. It's too AC/DC-ish. I did like one song, but that's not enough to save it. 2/5
Meh
Technically, it's not bad. The drums are a bit boring, and there is generally the same pattern in nearly every song. There is way too much falsetto for my liking, but it's not as bad as Sparks.
Solid.
Didn't need to listen, what are we even doing here, waste of a day
Un mélange de glam rock et de hard rock FM très cliché, avec voix suraiguë, envolées de guitares et décorum kitsch. Ça reste catchy, mais on a rarement été aussi proche de “The Spinal Tap”. Ils voulaient secouer leurs cheveux sur des riffs guitares alors ils y sont allés à fond mais ça reste assez générique. Le tube de l’album : “I Believe In A Thing Called Love”, “Growing on me” est sympa, “Friday Night” est cheesy as fuck. Toujours sur le fil entre l’hommage sincère et la parodie (sur “Get Your Hands Off My Woman (Motherfucker)” par exemple). C’est pas non plus indispensable.
Glam rock revival.
I knew nothing about this band. I gave up after a few tracks. Irritating music, poor singing voice and grinding music.
This is a perfect rock record of the early 00's
Pretty terrible. I don’t like whatever kind of metal or rock this is supposed to be. Their voice is just repulsive. Not finishing it
More like the Dorkness, amirite folks? Still an incredible debut. Glam rock taken cranked all the way up. Still tickles me that Justin Hawkins was beefing with Lemmy and Lemmy basically had no idea who they were.
Forgot how much I enjoyed this. Yes, it's a cornfest, but a lot of fun.
Funtimes.
It was kind of fun
Really enjoyed how this started out... I thought it was going to be enjoyable. Then the lead singer started to sing. Just not aesthetically pleasing to listen to for me. However, great band. Find a 20 something Sebastian Bach & let 'er rip!
Talented musicians. The repetitive screeching falsetto is insulting to glam rock, otherwise the album is a good time.
Way more start-to-finish fun than I expected as someone whose only knowledge of this band was the smash hit IBIATCL
Really cool album 👍
Without context, this album sounds like it came straight from the 70/80s. Then I see it was released in 2003! It is very faithful to the genre and takes the best parts of its predecessors. This is a fun, cheeky record. Would be grasping at straws to find a lot of deeper meaning but the album rocks and its an easy and fun listen.
1001? Really? The shrieking shtick got old really quickly.
Now I know why they are a one-hit wonder.
From the cover I knew it would be a disaster
This is a real vibe. Liked it a lot.
Hard to believe this came out in 2003. I thought this kind of music was deader than dead by this point. Don't get me wrong, I did like it except for when the singer goes operatic. It just sounds...silly, like a parody, like Tiny Tim, whatever. I'm even OK with the higher pitched scream (when used sparingly), but that in between, goofy sounding stuff I'm not a fan of. It brings the entire album down. I really did like the rest with the exception of the f-bombs that I felt weren't necessary.
As someone who has heard plenty of glam rock from the 80’s, this album is just fine. It’s not doing anything new or better in 2003, but they recaptured the sound well. It’s more baffling that this was even chosen for this list. When albums like this pop up, they feel like a wasted spot when they could have spent time finding better albums to showcase to be considered as must listens before you die.
I didn't hate this so I want to give it a 4. I don't think I'd listen to it much but I had a fun time listening.
Classic and maybe a classic case of peaking too early
Started off scared that this will be any other rock album, but it was a good album overall
Shit was gas
I can forgive the man for thinking the darkness could pull it off more than once. Truthfully a more complete album than i was expecting due to the smash hit of IBIATCL and complete silence of the rest. At the time I couldn't believe this was a modern band, it sounded so 80s. I don't feel like that anymore, it sounds so much more 2000s. 2/5
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
A couple songs were good. Not my cup of tea.
If you let this stand alone on its music, it's ok. Vocally, it makes chalk screeching across a blackboard sound like fine opera.
Bored off mate
Falsetto pissed me off
Get Your Hands Off My Woman Growing on Me I Believe in a Thing Called Love Love Is Only a Feeling
it was aight I like a couple songs. I think I’m more of a pop punk girlie myself (blink 182 is my SHIT)
4/5 - great album, enjoyed it. A bit derivative at times, and the falsetto grates at times.
--5/10
the opening lyrics to I Believe in a Thing Called Love sum this record up perfectly Can't explain all the feelings that you're making me feel This should be terrible but it's really not, loved it.
Was only familiar with one song, the obvious one, but really enjoyed the whole album!
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
The falsetto. Just no.
I wish I could give this an extra star for showing up on a Saturday.
## In-Depth Review of *Permission to Land* by The Darkness The Darkness burst onto the music scene in 2003 with their debut album, *Permission to Land*, a record that revitalized glam rock and hard rock in a time when they were fading from mainstream popularity. This review will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and its influence, while also highlighting its pros and cons. ### ****Lyrics The lyrics of *Permission to Land* are characterized by a blend of humor, fantasy, and raw emotion. The band employs vivid imagery and storytelling that draws from various influences, including folklore and personal experiences. - **Fantasy and Folklore**: The opening track "Black Shuck" is a mythical tale about a ghostly creature from East Anglia, showcasing the band's penchant for dramatic narratives. Lines like “Flames licked ‘round the sacred spire” evoke a sense of grandeur reminiscent of epic tales. - **Humor and Irreverence**: Tracks like "Get Your Hands Off My Woman" feature tongue-in-cheek humor and brashness, with Justin Hawkins delivering lines that blend aggression with comedic undertones. The song's chorus is catchy yet abrasive, making it memorable. - **Emotional Depth**: The ballad "Growing On Me" reveals a more vulnerable side of the band. It explores themes of love and longing, encapsulated in the line “You will never fully fathom or understand, but you love her so much that after a while it doesn’t matter.” This emotional complexity adds depth to an otherwise flamboyant album. ### ****Music Musically, *Permission to Land* is a celebration of classic rock influences fused with modern sensibilities. The album features: - **Guitar Work**: Dan Hawkins’ guitar riffs are a standout element throughout the album. The tracks are infused with high-energy solos and powerful rhythms that pay homage to bands like Thin Lizzy and AC/DC. Songs like "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" showcase blistering guitar work alongside infectious melodies. - **Vocal Performance**: Justin Hawkins’ falsetto is both impressive and polarizing. His ability to hit high notes with precision adds an exhilarating quality to the music. However, this unique vocal style may not appeal to everyone, leading some listeners to view it as excessive or gimmicky. - **Diverse Sound**: The album traverses various rock subgenres—from hard rock anthems to softer ballads—demonstrating the band's versatility. Tracks like "Love Is Only A Feeling" contrast sharply with heavier songs like "Givin' Up," showcasing their range. ### ****Production Produced by Pedro Ferreira, *Permission to Land* has a raw yet polished sound that captures the band's live energy. - **Live Feel**: The production reflects the band’s live performances, maintaining an energetic vibe throughout. While some critics note that the album sounds slightly demo-like in quality, this rawness contributes to its charm. - **Instrumentation**: The mix balances guitars, bass, and drums effectively, allowing each instrument to shine without overshadowing others. However, some listeners have pointed out that the drum sound can be somewhat thuddy and lacks finesse compared to contemporary productions. ### ****Themes Thematically, *Permission to Land* is a celebration of rock 'n' roll excess intertwined with personal narratives: - **Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle**: Many songs embrace the debauchery associated with rock culture—sex, drugs, and rebellion are prevalent themes throughout the album. - **Love and Relationships**: Several tracks explore romantic themes, albeit through a lens of humor or irony. The juxtaposition of serious emotions with playful lyrics creates an engaging listening experience. ### ****Influence Upon its release, *Permission to Land* had a significant impact on the music landscape: - **Revitalization of Glam Rock**: The album played a crucial role in bringing glam rock back into the limelight during the early 2000s. Its success inspired other bands to explore similar sounds and aesthetics. - **Cultural Impact**: Songs like "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" became anthems for a generation, often associated with nostalgia for early 2000s rock culture. The band’s flamboyant image also influenced fashion trends within rock music. ### ****Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Catchy Melodies**: Many tracks feature infectious hooks that are easy to sing along to. - **Energetic Performances**: The band’s enthusiasm shines through every song, making it an exhilarating listen. - **Diverse Range**: The mix of hard rock anthems and softer ballads provides something for everyone. #### Cons - **Polarizing Vocals**: Justin Hawkins’ falsetto may not resonate with all listeners; some might find it over-the-top. - **Production Quality**: While rawness can be appealing, some tracks suffer from less-than-optimal production values. - **Lyrical Content**: The humor may come off as juvenile or gimmicky for those seeking deeper lyrical substance. ### Conclusion In conclusion, *Permission to Land* by The Darkness stands as a remarkable debut that combines catchy melodies with flamboyant performances and engaging lyrics. Its blend of humor and serious themes creates a unique listening experience that resonates well beyond its initial release. While it may not appeal universally due to its vocal style or production choices, its influence on glam rock revival is undeniable. As such, it remains an essential listen for fans of rock music looking for both nostalgia and excitement in their playlists.
When this band is firing on all cylinders, that is really going for it tempo and performance wise and the singer is belting in his natural range, only dipping into the falsetto for a bit of range or effect, I actually think they’re killer. Unfortunately. Much of this album has the band coasting down a hill. Lots of tracks with little to no energy, the ballad was awful, when the singer spends too much time in falsetto it sounds a bit silly. And of course, the single, I believe in a thing called love is phenomenal l. It’s a love letter to glam.
Banger after banger. So good. Last song is a tad weak
It’s fun and campy but the songs are actually good
Why does he sing like that?
It's wild that this isn't from the 80s. Clearly they were going for a style and they did a hell of a job with it. I believe in a thing called love is such a well built song to be a hit. This doesn't go anywhere new but it takes all these parts of earlier bands and does something fun and tight with it. Good to be on the list. Not a masterpiece but a nearly perfect execution of 80s glam/cheese rock.
They are doing this homage album really well. Sonically it's well sculpted, but I'm not sure that it elevated or improved on the original bands of the genre. It's fun music, I just find it hard to justify making it required listening. Decent album length for what they are bringing.
I Believe in a Thing Called Love was the only song I was familiar with, and truth be told I never knew what album it was off of, much less the band who made it, until today. Solid early 2000s hard rock, nothing I’d actively seek out but something I’d listen to in passing.
This is an example of how to just have a fun rockin time and not take things too seriously. They remind me of 70s glam bands, specifically Sweet. 3.5 stars.
Pure, unapologetically in-your-face rock n roll! The instrumentation is fairly standard fare, but Justin Hawkins's lead vocals really kick this whole thing into the stratosphere - he really gives it 110%
I thought this album was a joke until I realized the joke was on this having to listen to it. This album was not enjoyable at all.
Very high pitch and shrill. I didn’t like it and found it a bit annoying
This should not be on this list. Bleh. Sometimes I like some glam rock but this was trash. Musically it was fine but that was it. The vocals were awful, so shrill and so, so much unnecessary falsetto. Could barely understand the dude most of the time. Just trashy vocals.
are they trying for a Spinal Tap type parody? if so, they nailed it. or are they just too pretentious to notice they missed the mark? over the top repeated falsetto & lyrics of 80's glam rock. nope
Kann weg.
I have to say I didn't expect a band called "The Darkness" to be singing in falsetto about someone they liked in high school.
Meh
Really liked this.
no skips loved this
I guess the '70s weren't quite done being the '70s, and I guess they left their hot album cover chick looking for work. They are unapologetically derivative, emphasis on not apologizing for the straight out over-the-top revisitation to the glorious past. They do their best being unafraid of asking kindly to be let into the club--they aren't imitating, after all, just deriving. Good for them.
I’m afraid I cannot get over the fact that this lot are arrogant, self-aggrandising bell-ends. Hate their attitude and sound - they try to do fun but in such a smug way, it’s revolting. Permission to land - no, please divert to another destination.
Ridiculous in all the right ways. It's a bit much, for certain, but then again, that's the whole point. Extra awarded for me liking Justin Hawkins as a YouTuber and general rabble rouser.
This is certainly a lot of fun. It's over the top and often hilarious. A whole album of it is definitely too much, however. Cut it in half and I might could do 4 stars.
This album lived up the name of this project. I loved it.
Yeah, this isn't it. Way too much falsetto, plus hair metal isn't very good to begin with.
AC/DC + Tenacious D + Dennis and Charley day man song + Skid Row + Queen and it FUCKING WORKS.
Revivalist, parody, homage, piss-take? I still have no idea really. Think they have their influences that they obviously honour, a genre that should always not be taken too seriously, but then try to be so tongue in cheek with the humour that it starts to grate really quickly. Which sums up their careers, they being the poster boys in Britain for a shooting star rise and abrupt fall. They are competent, the production is decades developed from the music they ape, Hawkins has the skill to do that vocal (though whether he should is another thing). Just surprised this is on the list, it’s so inessential, someone else in their review mentioned quotas for genre and decades and it just feels like that, are the acts they copy on the list, I would presume so but have a feeling they may not and this is all very post modern. Most acts, especially at the beginning show their influences, but take it on to something else. This just feels too much like a jokey parody, or worst for all involved that by 2003 if this was all, then hard rock had just run it’s course and nothing new or relevant was left in the cupboard.
Vocals are a bit much but the music is strong
Generic metal
My first thought seeing this... really? Well, okay. See what this is about. Good start, but the vocal cadence of the singer? I think I don't like it. He just tries to squeeze in too many words in the verses. The songwriting is there. I don't mind the falsetto. It's just that syncopation, The hit single "Get Your Hands Off of My Woman" is indeed a hit single. I'm not much of a glam guy but this is ok. I don't know that it necessarily qualifies for top-1001 necessary listens before you die, but I didn't write this book. Maybe I'll do my own so RONNIE JAMES DIO gets some recognition, you plebs. I don't think I can give "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" a fair assessment. I've heard it way, way too much. That and I don't believe in it. Embrace nihilism because it's the only thing that will meaningfully embrace you back. "Givin' Up" fits this dark mold except it's upbeat. Small steps. The cover artwork elicits Boston's self-titled. To truly embrace nihilism, I would recommend Dystopia's album "Human=Garbage."
Awful. There’s absolutely ZERO reason I, or anyone else, needs to hear this before they die.
Ever since I bought myself an animal print top and a pair of faux snakeskin boots, I’ve been on a huge hair metal kick, so this is maybe the best time for me to listen to The Darkness. It’s funny to recall how, at the time, I think most people claimed to enjoy The Darkness, or at least “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” in an ✨ironic✨ way. Like so much of the so-called ✨ironic entertainment✨ of the ‘90s and ‘00s, though, in retrospect, it was always deeply and overwhelmingly sincere. Similarly, The Darkness approach their hair metal revivalism with the same level of irony-masked sincerity. The clumsily crowded lyrics, the extended guitar solos that sound like shredding but are pretty cut-and-dry, the over-enunciate operatic vocals and harmonies – it all feels tongue-in-check, but it’s actually as honest as a confessional. And while a lesser girl would say, “Ah, yes, so The Darkness is Camp™️,” I know better. And my own enjoyment is not camp, but deeply, deeply sincere. Permission to Land is just filled with excellent songs, many a million miles above “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.” There’s the hard biker bar headbanger “Love on the Rocks with No Ice,” the ‘80s power pop of “Friday Night” and “Growing on Me,” and the power ballad “Holding My Own.” Minus a couple mediocre or cliché duds here and there, this album is jam-packed. It’s fun as hell and instantly enjoyable. At the end of the day, that’s the goal of hair metal, but while machismo tainted the majority of the original wave, the innocent sincerity behind The Darkness’ music keeps the party alive. Permission to Land isn’t life-changing, but it’s certainly life-affirming. Not the most essential hair metal, or the peak, but revivalism has its own unique value, especially when it’s as entertaining as this. It just so happens that, compared to other revival acts, The Darkness came a lot closer to peak than anyone would expect, and that makes Permission to Land surprisingly more interesting overall.
Good fun record with Jusin Hawkin's acrobatic vocals and a party-time feel to all of it. Nothing too deep, and I had forgotten most of it, but spent a good time rediscovering it.
Decent for a band about 25 years late to the party.
Theres something campy about singing "get your hands of my woman mf" with the highest voice you can muster Got bored and didnt listen all the way through
I ain't gonna lie when I heard that falsetto singing I started skimming through this album. I'll will say, Love Is Only A Feeling and Holding My Own are absolute bangers as for the rest of this album word to my mother I could not care less. Yeah a few were good but the majority is mediocre. Such a shame. Top 2 Favorites: Love Is A Only Feeling and Holding My Own Top 3 Worst: Givin' Up, Stuck In A Rut, and Makin' Out 2.50/5
No notes, 5 stars all round
It's fine. Definitely one note band. Like I guess it's fun but it's not doing a ton for me
Fantastic rock album! 1001 album worthy: Yes - 13/25
Don't think i love the big drums big guitar classic rock vibe. This is the sound I think of when the school of rock goes against the other bands in battle of the bands
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
Fun!
Not only are they one-hit-wonders who shouldn't have an entire album on a list of must-hear albums, but they really shouldn't have more than a song or two. Come to find out, they have several albums and are still playing, recording, and touring. The joke that went too far, the dead horse that was beaten beyond recognition, the point that they beat you over the head with over and over for two decades. Maybe I'm just no fun, but their only good song is the one you think it is. Again, I'll say: where is Built To Spill? No one can possibly think this is more worth listening to than Perfect From Now On.
i didn’t like the original shit this shit is based on, it’s mostly the dude’s voice though
I believe in a thing called Love was a great throwback. The rest was better than expected, given my disdain for harder rock. Falsetto was cool, to a point. 3* is a bit too high, so high 2* instead.
I honestly thought I’d be all about this as I was very familiar with their hit when it came out. It was a sweet throwback sound. However, the same vocals that made “I believe in a thing called love,” didn’t lend itself to the rest of the album. I wanted to love it but but like TV’s Rosanne, it was just ok.
I loved this band back in high school man. Still hits.
That was a fun air guitar album
First listen, the falsetto was too much. Second listen, I feel like I understood what the album was about. 4 stars.
The hits are good. It’ll you have to admire them for exploiting a niche that no longer existed.
Competent yet forgettable pop metal not much else.
Silly and good fun. It's not often that you listen to an album and get the feeling that the band just wants you to have fun. Some tight guitar work, some genuine bangers interspersed with silly and borderline novelty tracks. Just fun.
What if Robert Smith was the lead singer of Spinal Tap but he insisted on doing a Mickey Mouse impression for two thirds of the album? What the fuck is this. This is not a real album. Who makes this and why.
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.
Nope. Just was not feeling this got almost halfway thru
This is ridiculous…and I’m picking up what they are putting down…falsetto and all.
F*"'! this album. The music is overall good the great for much of the album but that damn falsetto is always lurking - you know it's coming to wreck the party. Pure cosplay. And maybe that's the point. But I can't have any fun - and the riffs galore provide ample moments of fun - but his voice just makes me so ANGRY to the point where that is the only emotion I can feel. There is a great power pop album in here but with this presentation - I can't. I just can't.
This knows exactly what it is, and for that it goes all out. Lot's of energy, no holds barred hair-rock out of time.
Interesting lyrics. Catchy songs. A rock band not taking themselves seriously.
Love this album. Been in my collection for years. Great start to finish.
If you want falsetto proto-metal
While the vocals are a bit jarring at times, overall this is a really fun album to listen to. This is easily a 3.5 on its way to a 4.0 rating. In all honesty, it's the vocal stylings that hold it back, even though I'm sure that's what makes the band and album so identifiable in the first place.
Solid rock album. I wish the vocal stylings weren't so distracting, but it was a fun listen.
I thought I was going to hate this based off of their hit song since it's been overplayed to death but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and I enjoyed it at times with some good guitar riffs. I don't know if it really belongs on the list though because the music isn't innovative, and sounds like B-Sides from various 80s rock bands. Makin' Out sounds like an AC/DC filler track from The Razor's Edge album.
This is purile, stupid and occasionally tasteless; and it's fantastic. With tongue firmly wedged in cheek, this band pulled off teh unthinkable and made solid 1970's rock/pop/metal for the masses in the middle of the Strokes/White Stripes garage rock boom. If you can't enjoy this album then you are definitely no fun at parties. Best Tracks: Get Your Hands Off My Woman; Growing On Me; I Believe in a Thing Called Love
It's hair/glam metal fun. Never did take themselves seriously but put out some decent bangers. This albums no exception, fun listen. Wouldn't be my choice of playthrough but can't say it wasn't enjoyable.
Loved this album when it first came out.... for about a week and then I hated it and every time I saw that Justin Hawkins on TV I wanted to punch him in the face. He has one of those faces I'm afraid.
Nicee
A bit of daft fun, hardly the most original thing in the world but nothing to take too seriously. Justin Hawkins' vocals can be pretty funny but I'm guessing that was intentional, the whole thing feels pretty tongue in cheek. I doubt I'll come back to this anytime soon and the more I think about it I don't really understand why it's even on the list, but there's nothing actually wrong with it Highlights: Stuck In a Rut, Get Your Hands Off My Woman, Love on the Rocks with No Ice
One really great song is carrying this 3
Great fun, but not really sure it belongs on the list
Once you accept the fact that that’s their sound, it’s actually a fun listen. Don’t take it too seriously and it’s absolutely fine.
Great riffs and solos and some good tunes but the vocals at times are ridiculous !
It's not terrible but I don't understand how this is on the list and all those 1980s American bands who did it at least as good with a better singer aren't. Favorite song: growing on me
Each track starts out ok with some great percussion and guitar riffs, and then the singer opens their mouth and I cringe. They sing like a parody of a hair metal rocker. I Believe in a Thing Called Love I’ve heard before and has never been a favorite song. It’s okay at best. This is a 2 only because I’ve heard worse on this list.
Pretty fun album overall which doesn't take itself seriously, but hard rock/glam from the 00s are not really my cup of tea, and his voice wasn't very good either.
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!
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Heavy rock with a poodle vocal. Not my favorite combo, but there are feel good “radio hits” in there like I Believe in a Thing Called Love and Love is Only a Feeling.
My heart only has limited room for theatrical rock falsetto and this record isn't going to knock anyone out of their spot. It's perfectly fine, the lyrics are not significantly worse than other records but they're certainly not better either. The jams are competent if a little lacking in gusto at times but there are enough head turning hooks that I can see why they have an audience. Many people probably like this record. It's a strong 2 stars, but still only 2 from me.
Okey
Album is not bad. Kind of single toned. Not a very serious album, but it is pretty fun. 3/5 Might listen again
So I like The Darkness (I Believe in a Thing Called Love is one of my FAVORITE songs!) but I always thought they were an 80's hair band, so when I originally found out the album was released in the early 2000's I was shocked. Everything about them screams 80's hair band, doing their rock and roll thing. So when it comes to be influential I am not sure I can really consider them that, because they really just bought into something that was already there. Now they did it well...its a fun album and they don't take themselves seriously. They seem like some guys that liked 80's music and said f@ck let's just have fun, make some music and add a 2000's flamboyantness to it. New to me favs were Givin' Up, Stuck in a Rut and Holding My Own (classic 80's ballad). I waiver between a 3 and 4, because I really like the music, I like the album but is it influential, I don't think so.
Spotify mentions "Hawkins' iconic falsetto, often compared to Freddie Mercury." Hold up. Not even in the same league as Freddie. At first listen I was super annoyed by his singing style. It's sort of grating and just "too much" for me. Second listen I got a little more used to it. The song writing and music is pretty rawk'n. Not a big fan of the vocals.
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!
If you thought Glam rock died in the 80s, it didn’t, it had one last spurt of life in 2003 before fading away. I believe in a thing called love was a massive song when it came out and I think people still know about it. The rest of the album, I can’t attest to the fame but they are no where near as catchy. Not my thing in the first place so still not my thing with the attempted revival. 4/10
A classic
Did it take a few decades to obtain the permission to land?
2,5
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.
Fun album. A mix between AC/DC, Queen and Twisted Sister. Felt fresh and surprisingly quite different form most albums here. "I find that I believe in a thing called love" above the rest. Still the other songs hold a high quality. The vocals are really where it is at, and the falsetto is really cool. There are plenty of good riffs too. Think this gets a weak 4 as it holds a high quality throughout with a really good single.
Ha! I woke up this morning, saw what album I had and thought 'I'm going to give this a sub one or a four plus, entirely depending on my mood'. Turns out I was extremely ready for the ludicrous pomp of The Darkness. The thing is, there are at least five certified and extreme bangers on here. Get Your Hands off My Woman, Friday Night, Love Is Only A Feeling, Love On The Rocks and Growing On Me are all brilliant, and I'm only not including I Believe In A Thing Called Love because it's been done to death. Ultimately I'm a very serious man, and it's too silly to get a five, but hot damn it's close.
This sounds much older than it actually is. Some good songs and some bad songs.