Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: Following on from 2021's Motorheart, Lowestoft 21st century hard rockers The Darkness return with their eighth full-length studio LP, the absurdly titled, very British - Dreams On Toast. While for the casual listener who remembers the band's explosive 2003 debut Permission To Land and the bevvy of major singles that record produced such as 'Growing On Me' and 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love', have likely long allowed the band to dissipate into the ether of their musical memory banks, those who still like their rock cheesy, camp and packed to the brim with Slade-style fret mangling solos, will find so much to crunch on here with bangers such as 'Rock and Roll Party Cowboy' and 'I Hate Myself' still delivering the "What year is it?!" retro-swagger that's becoming more difficult to replicate with each passing year. It also helps that frontman/primary songwriter Justin Hawkins has seemingly injected a booster shot into his own project thanks largely to his successful YouTube channel Justin Hawkins Rides Again, while for easter egg time, actor Stephen Dorff (known for is roles as the villain in the first Wesley Snipes Blade film as well as True Detective) makes a spoken-word appearance on the closer 'Weekend In Rome'.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight surface marks ***


Permission To Land is the debut album by glam rockers The Darkness, originally released in 2003. True to their name, The Darkness were dark horses indeed, having been sorely underestimated by the guffawing gatekeepers at Sony, who failed to see any promise in the band after being deemed "uncool", perhaps due to their bombastic rock & roll sound and high vocal drawl from Justin Hawkins. Sony were easily knocked off their high horse, however, when the band later signed with Atlantic, after which the album would top the US Albums Chart, peaking at number two. For the fans, this reissue harks back to their earliest hits, such as 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love', and 'Growing On Me'.

Review: The Darkness have made a name for themselves with unashamedly flamboyant rock anthems and often tongue-in-cheek lyrics and their latest album Dreams On Toast, their first for four years, further solidifies their status at the top of British rock. Fans can expect soaring guitar riffs and infectious hooks, blending nostalgia for the excesses of 80s New Wave of British Heavy Metal with a fresh perspective on the genre. Singer/guitarist and frontman Justin Hawkins hasd stated that they they crafted a dozen bangers with the help of divine inspiration, so prepare for religious experience and revelation. A memorable rock experience that will resonate with both new and longtime listeners alike.