Who can forget the band’s appearance on Jools Holland’s TV show where Justin stood atop Joel’s piano while playing the solo to I Believe In A Thing Called Love? This was the moment when The Darkness exploded on the scene and have caused division in rock circles ever since. A lot of people hate them, and it’s obvious they have become an acquired taste, but I for one love them and they were a shot in the arm for a flagging rock scene in the UK.
They write some of the simplest songs imaginable and are so catchy and have you hooked in seconds, and then write tracks like Buccaneers Of Hispaniola that are so complex with grooves to shake your hips loose. AC/DC would have been proud of the riff and groove to Solid Gold – an epic hard rock classic with a great sense of humour. Southern Trains is all about their hatred of the local train company, and have turned a boring subject into a freaking awesome up-tempo groover. Why Wont The Beautiful Cry, lyrically, is another track where the sense of humour really is on point.
Japanese Prisoner Of Love opens up Side 2 and has a killer opening riff and groove before settling down into a very Queen-ish tune. Lay Down With Me Barbara reminds me of a seventies Steely Dan tune but with a very modern edge. I Wish I Was In Heaven is pure power pop nirvana, and the album closes out with Stampede Of Love which has a very southern country rock vibe and is somewhat of a surprise ending.
As I said earlier, you either love them or hate them.
9.5/10 from The Grooveman.
Love them!