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THE REVIEW
Are you in the mood for strong emotions? Want to listen to something as strong as vodka, sparkling as champagne, and good, traditional, and genuine as grandma's cake? Well, then "Permission To Land," the debut album by The Darkness, is what you need: riffs at max volume, omnipresent electric guitar, bloody catchy melodies, and as if that weren't enough, there's also the inimitable voice of the flamboyant frontman Justin Timb... gotcha! Justin Hawkins, making it all even more special and giving that unique sound and atmosphere that constitutes the very magic of The Darkness.
No symphonic intros, no arpeggios, or various preambles: it kicks off immediately with the hammering riff of the lightning-fast "Black Shuck", three stunning minutes of incendiary hard rock, then the pedal is pushed to the metal with the frenetic "Get Your Hands Off My Woman" and the triumphant "Growing On Me", an emotional crescendo of great impact that concludes with a breathtaking solo, just like the first single, "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" which, despite the name, is a bit like their "You Shook Me All Night Long": energetic riff and overwhelming momentum, with a video that fully captures the spirit of The Darkness. Other gems of absolute value are the pressing "Givin' Up", the defiant "Stuck In A Rut", the carefree "Friday Night", and especially the technical and stylistic pinnacle of the record: "Love On The Rocks With No Ice", six minutes in which the band truly shines with this midtempo elevated by a compelling rhythm and a solid riff that wouldn't look out of place in a Deep Purple song. Obviously, the cherry on top in a record like this is the ballads: "Love Is Only A Feeling" and "Holding My Own", which do not forego riffs and rock energy; the result: two great songs with all the strength and emotional impact to become real evergreen classics.
Conclusion: these Darkness may be derivative (and who cares), they might not say anything new (and who gives a damn), they certainly do not represent the anxieties of the contemporary world or other such abstract blah blah blah (and who gives a hoot), and perhaps they even borrowed here and there, limiting themselves to presenting things already seen and heard (and who gives a toss), but for me all that matters is the impact and the emotion, and Justin Hawkins and his gang have given me plenty of emotions and continue to do so, no critic or wise guy can argue with that.
RATING 9.66/10
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Summary by Bot
The Darkness' debut album 'Permission To Land' delivers high-energy hard rock with striking riffs and catchy melodies. Frontman Justin Hawkins' unique voice adds a special flair to the band's signature sound. The album offers a blend of fast-paced rock songs and powerful ballads, evoking strong emotions and classic rock vibes. While not groundbreaking, its impact and genuine feel elevate it to near-classic status.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
The Darkness
The Darkness are an English hard rock band known for flamboyant classic-rock revivalism, Justin Hawkins’ high-register vocals, and a sound often compared (in reviews) to AC/DC and Queen. Their debut “Permission to Land” (2003) broke through in the UK, followed by “One Way Ticket to Hell... And Back” with production by Roy Thomas Baker; later post-reunion albums discussed here include “Pinewood Smile” and “Easter Is Cancelled.”17 Reviews
Other reviews
By Sallu
The high notes then hit you, the effect they create contrasting with the solid riffs of the guitars is beautiful.
The Darkness talk about all there is to talk about, they tell stories of love, of issues tied to everyday life, about everything, and they do it naturally.
By airbag
This album is simply banal and low-level; it owes its success more to the gaudy costumes and entertaining live performances than to real musical substance.
If it were possible to give a score lower than 0, I would do so without hesitation but, unfortunately, I am forced to a 'diplomatic' score.
By ste84
Kurt Cobain would sound better with a right-handed guitar tuned badly that’s on fire!
Freddy Mercury who, after listening to this atrocity, surely turned off the stereo and went to roll over in his grave (R.I.P.)... my God how they irritate!!!
By trix
The combination of lead singer Justin Hawkins' high-pitched voice and their clothing style... make this band unique and distinctive.
'Permission to Land' is an album that really deserves to be listened to, both by the younger crowd and by big rock listeners.
