Customer Reviews

Permission to Land (Clean)

5 star:		(355)
4 star:		(124)
3 star:		(43)
2 star:		(38)
1 star:		(117)

 

 

Open your hearts, minds, and ears! The Darkness are here and they are Rocking the planet! In an age where so-called "rock" bands are supposed to be depressed, uncharismatic, Kurt Cobain-obsessed whiners with no talent singers and no solo guitarists, The Darkness is rocketing through the universe on their spaceship spreading the gospel of Rock and Roll!!!! If you hate Rock and Roll, love angst-ridden teen torment drama pop punk, can't have a good time, and are too cool for school, please don't buy this album. BUT if you like smiling, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, KISS, Queen, Van Halen, and just good ole Rock and Roll, then this is a must have album.
Justin Hawkins has heaven-sent vocals that can shatter steel, vocals that bust through your speakers with the force of a 400mph hurricane wind. He has TALENT. And lots of it, with a stage swaggering bravado to reinforce it. His brother, Dan Hawkins, is bringing the solo back into style. Frankie Poullain delivers the booming bass lines and one killer mustache. Ed Graham gives us some great drumming, old style and Rocking.
The album is solid. Let's go through the tracks:

1. Black Shuck- HARD Rocker that kicks off an equally hard Rocking album. The song's about a demon dog from Hell attacking a church. It WILL rock you.
2. Get Your Hands Off My Woman- Great Rocker. Has a chorus you can't help but sing along with.
3. Growing On Me- Great grooving track, with some hopping solos.
4. I Believe in a Thing Called Love- My favorite song. You will be blown away by the full force of Justin's sonic scream! The title says it all. Great riff, great song.
5. Love is Only a Feeling- Get out your lighters, it's monster ballad time! Awesome solo, amazing song.
6. Givin Up- This one's a strutter! Awesome song about the Rock and Roll lifestyle. Don't do smack!
7. Stuck in a Rut- Hard Rocker about leaving a place where you don't wanna be. Stomp your feet and wave your fist!
8. Friday Night- Cool song with a 1970's feel. Sweet and grooving.
9. Love on the Rocks with No Ice- Hard Rocker. Best "Love" ever in a song. Laaaaa-HUUUUUUV!!! On the Rocks!!! Awesome solo, best on the album.
10. Holding My Own- Best song ever about having "alone time". Great vocals, as usual.
I admit, I'm biased. They're my favorite band, before them was KISS, if that tells you anything. So, yes, I love Rock and Roll. And if you do too, buy this album. You will be rocked, and will smile the whole time. Rock and Roll.

This review is refers specifically to the EDITED VERSION of this album.

***

Here's what you get when you purchase the clean version of "Permission to Land." First of all, the packaging is a bit altered. The naked lady is pixellated out. In the lower left corner of the cover, there's a clearly visible "Edited Version" label - always a good thing, so people who wanted the explicit version don't get any unpleasant surprises.

Now for the actual album content. I'm happy to say they went the extra mile here. They actually re-sung the dirty parts and used alternate lyrics, instead of simply scrambling or muting out the expletives. So, for example, in the song "Givin' Up," the phrase "givin' a f***" has been changed to "givin' it up." It's nice to hear actual singing, instead of just long silences. Some of the edits end up being quite amusing. Also in the song "Givin' Up," the line "stick that ****ing s***" has been changed to "Stick that shucking fit." On the album's opening track, the line "that dog dont give a ****... Woof!" becomes "that dog don't give a duck... Quack!" Instead of getting all whiny and political when the label requested a clean version, they just had some fun with it.

So in this case, you get exactly what you pay for when you buy the clean version. There are still a few drug references, so just be aware of that if that bothers you. But if you just want this album without the bad words, the clean version fits the bill very nicely - and does a far better job than most edited albums.

While Nirvana may have been just what popular music needed in 1992, the long term effects of Kurt Cobain's influence have been devastating for the world of rock. Cobain made it okay for rock stars to be emasculated. They could be people who had issues and insecurities like the rest of us, and that was groovy... for a while. But isn't it high time for rock stars to act like, oh, ROCK STARS again? Frontmen like Jonathan Davis, Fred Durst, and Chester Bennington all lack the one essential trait any real rock'n'roller needs, and that is Confidence. Instead of rock gods, we've all been subject to rock peasants, guys who would nail themselves to a cross if their pants were too tight. Enough, already. Real rock stars are supposed to take what they want, do what they want, and answer to no one. They couldn't have all just vanished from the face of the Earth.

It's all gotten so miserable that the emergence of Andrew WK last year was a true breath of fresh air. Here was a guy who preached a simple edict that has been bafflingly lost on nu metallers: Rock is Fun. But for all his efforts, AWK was basically ignored. And so here are The Darkness to give it a second try.

Permission to Land is huge in England right now, which practically guarantees no one here will care about it. Regardless, The Darkness pretty much succeed in making an argument for a pop metal revival. And, more importantly, they inject some swagger back into the fold. For the first half of Permission to Land, they hand out fitting knockoffs of AC/DC ("Black Shuck"), Guns 'N' Roses ("Get Your Hands Off of My Woman," which has to be heard to be believed), Boston ("I Believe in a Thing Called Love"), and Tesla ("Love is Only a Feeling"). Anyone who listens to these tunes and doesn't start bobbing their head has no pulse.

Of course, there is the small matter of lead singer Justin Hawkins' er, unique singing style. Let's face it, the guy is ludicrous. He makes Freddy Mercury look restrained by comparison, singing in a falsetto that could shatter a foot-thick block of ice. The first impluse is to make like Butthead and say to yourself, "Uh, what the hell is this?" It's pretty funny stuff, until you realize just how determined this band sounds. They have a serious passion to ROCK, and eventually it gets to you. At least, if you're looking for something, anything, different from the current rock scene.

Permission to Land suffers from a relatively weak second half. Songs like "Love on the Rocks with No Ice" (does that title make any sense?) are the worst of hair metal cliches - lots of screaming and little songcraft. There's also too much of an emphasis on ballads. "Friday Night" is a solid number, and "Holding My Own" will induce plenty of arm swaying, but nothing in the second half matches the intensity of the first two songs. If Permission to Land were a more consistent album, then it might stand a chance of achieving legendary status. For now, it's a good start for a band that is a potential oasis in a sea of nihilistic dreck.

It's disappointing to see that a couple of recent reviewers have completely missed the point of The Darkness, and therefore must fall squarely in the 'cynical so-and-so' camp. Ignore them!

When a sub-genre like flamboyant rock - or pomp rock - is so easy to spoof and has been done so expertly and definitively 19 years ago with Spinal Tap, what would be the point in a modern band making fun of it now? The primary strength of The Darkness is that they are doing this with a straight face; they are the first band to take this kind of music and play it passionately and seriously for decades - that's what makes them so refreshing and that's why they are going to be huge. Their song titles show they have a sense of humour - what's wrong with that? As someone said recently, they're having a laugh, but that doesn't make them a joke - it makes them special these days. Read the review by Matt in Berkshire; he knows what he's talking about!

Anyone who thinks they are a 'novelty' act is clearly a bit dim, frankly, or at the very least is afraid to admit that they actually enjoy this kind of 'uncool' music - like the folks who have been denigrating Queen all these years. Or perhaps, given the lead singer's campness and the bassist's luxuriant moustache, the people who loathe them aren't particularly secure in their sexuality! (I'm only half-joking...)

To answer another recent criticism: those who think The Darkness' music is lunk-headed, shallow or one-dimensional clearly don't possess the intelligence to decipher their true intent; the cleverly constructed double-meaning of the wonderful album closer 'Holding My Own', being a prime example. What at first appears to be a traditional lighters-in-the-air ballad of loneliness and lost love that makes your heart soar, after repeated listenings actually turns out be an ode to a rather dubious pastime... I'll let you work it out yourself! Again, it seems to me that the minority who dislike them feel that way simply because they don't get them, not because their criticism is valid. But this is all beside the point; they are fun, they make great music and Permission To Land is one of the best albums of the year, and you won't regret buying it.

One final point for all the fans praying that they can succeed in America, there's some very good news indeed; the great Dave Navarro recently saw the band play live in London. He was so impressed with The Darkness that he's going to ask them to tour the US next year with Jane's Addiction! I rest my case!

Hey, you! That's right, you,(!) with that ear for the tacky and horrible music of today, listen up! The Darkness are here and they are cranking up the amps, screaming out some lyrics, and rockin' into your home, and if they're not, THEY SHOULD BE!!!! Not only is this band reformulating what rock should be, they are carving their way into a niche of their own. Yea sure, they may have elements of AC/DC, Queen, glam rock, and pop/rock, but when you roll it all into one doobie you get a thoroughly unique, but pleasing sound of pure adrenaline pumping rock n roll. Of course the lead singer sounds a little weird, but you know what? It doesn't matter all you little American Idol freaks. Besides, I bet Justin Hawkins has a better range and could blow any of those American Idol pussies out of the water any day. I mean, just listen to the guy, he's crazy and he sings higher than a man who is high on helium and kicked in the balls, but it sure sounds good and makes me belt it out to the best of my ability. This is what a frontman in rock is suppose to be....a crazy motherf**ker!! We don't want any of those posers, give us the real deal, the raw and true talent. But, not only does he sing amazingly well, he PERFORMS!! He doesn't just engage the crowd with the music, he makes them bang their heads out to the wild and high octane performances on stage. Let's face it, the guy is maybe the only true ROCK GOD of this generation.

Now, not to leave anyone out, Dan Hawkins is a master of guitar. You pop, rap, and R&B listeners of today, have you ever heard of a guitar solo?!?! I don't know if that term even exists nowadays. What about an instrumental set? No? Never heard of those? Well then you don't know JACK! This guy will make you set that stereo to max, have your 'rents yellin at you, and will cause you permanant hearing damage, but who really cares? This guy is what a leading quitarist should be for rock, not afraid to cut loose and let the riffs do the talking. And let me tell ya, these riffs will have you rockin out day and night.

The drummer Ed Graham and bassist Frankie Poullain round out the group with quality beats, rhythyms, and just plain rockin music. When you hear them come in it's like hearing the voice of god. They may not be the most noticable in the band, but without them it would surely fall apart. These guys are the backbone for the music and they've got some awesome grooves going and some good vibes moving.

But in the end, this is a masterpiece of rock. Go out and get this CD, I'm American and guess what, I know about them and now I'm spreading the message. You want rock? You want something that will make you want to actually crank that stereo up so you can act cool? Well then stop being a dumbass listening to all that junk and pick up some real music today!

In the words of AC/DC, "For those about to rock, we salute you."

If you don't know rock 'n' roll, then you won't get the Darkness. If you're too caught up in 'urban' nonsense, the noiseniks, or the sadsacks then you won't get the Darkness. With much deserved pomposity,fanfare, and acclaim there is an answer from the U.K.! The Darkness are for today's musically tired, weary, and cynical. All the best elements from AC/DC, Queen, Led Zeppelin, and a bit of Robert Smith peacfully co-exist here. Tell me, where else today can you find huge stacks of Marshall's, harmonic and melodic guitar licks (that would make Brian May proud), and a lead singer dipped into body suits that sings with a dazzling falsetto? Right! NOWHERE. The Darkness bring back a look, feel, and sound that is irresistable!

"Black Shuck", a song about a mythological rabid dog, is a perfect introduction. A rhytmic rumbling and hi-hat slaps launch headlong into 'rabid' rock bliss with a chorus that chases you down and won't let go. "Growing on Me", WILL grow on YOU....quickly. Loads of crispy-crunchy guitars, a sing-along chorus with 'call and response' backing vocals and a first class solo. "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" with its sticky-sweet sentiment, is far from some sappy tear-jerker but more an affirmation and further testament for where the Darkness are coming from and where they're going to take us. The middle eight breaks down into a drum/hand-clap bit that would fit well into any stadium (or anyone's own heart). "Givin' Up" is further proof of their sheer songwriting skill. The much-covered subject of heroin abuse is again revisited but with such melodic razzledazzle....all cliches are genuinely welcome. But, they're put to work....there's no musical loafing here. The chorus alone will have you convinced of this band!

But what good is all of this "Rock" without the necessary "Roll"?
The Darkness aren't prepared to just be tough guys all of the time. There are softer, more ballad-like arrangements to be found here (lovers only please). "Love Is Only A Feeling" and "Holding My Own" are both song with gentle tempos and honesty but come readily equipped with savvy arrangements and overwhelming solos (again!).

All the greatness that Rock 'n' Roll has in it's past will be found here. Everything that you love and, more importantly, WANT to love about Rock 'n' Roll is here. "Permission To Land" is one glorious debut, and a package that will soon have everyone talking. For, no other band today will polarize opinions so quickly. The Darkness have given me back my faith in modern Rock Music! Buy this record today!!!!

First of all I'd like to thank The Darkness for bringing back the classic sounds of guitar,drums, and rock. Onto the album, it is simply great! I'm a major fan of bands such as AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, mostly the classic rock bands, and if you are a fan of it too then you will like this CD. You can get the edited version of "Permission To Land" but there really isnt anything THAT bad, just a couple of swears(and you can hardly understand them). "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" is the best song on the album, along with "Growing on Me", and "Black Shuck" are some of my other favorites. Great album, and what I loved the most was the sound of guitar solos!! I dont think a lot of people these days even know what that is! This album is not for those who like today's style of "rock". Today's modern rock is absolutely painful to listen to. You got a terrible lead singer with a metal beard and pierced eyelids, and next to him, a crappy guitar player that couldnt grab an F chord if his life depended on it! These days, rock bands are a joke, and just so I save space, to all of you who are complaining about Justin Hawkins' voice, f*ck off, he would beat any of those American Idol pussys. If you notice, all the people that are complaining about this band, read the votes, just about 4 out of 56 people found their review helpful. And for all you people that say "Lose the singer guys", you obviosuly dont know crap about The Darkness, if you knew anything about them you'd know Dan Hawkins, the guitarist, is Justin's BROTHER! The whole band would fall apart so stop with your stupid singing complaints, hes a damn good singer. Nowdays you dont hear anybody from these horrible "rock" bands singing like that, because they dont have the balls to, they think they have to sound tough and angry(which makes them sound like complete idiots). Buy the CD, THEN review it, cause you cant tell anything by just listening to 30 second sound clips. This album is great, if you dont like the band, then just leave, dont listen to them, get the heck out. Dont listen to the sound clips and write a terrible review on them(and suggest your favorite bands instead). This album for those who love the good old stuff from like 20 years ago. Give it a fair listen! Thanks for saving today's generation of rock Darkness. Keep on rockin.

For a long time it's been a major fact that the British and the American senses of humour are quite different. We didn't particularily get on with Cheers, and you guys don't really get the likes of The Fast Show and Trigger Happy TV (if indeed you have heard of these). In fact it was a pretty big shock when it turned out you guys went and liked The Office, when in a truly British way, I think is a right barrel of bo**ocks. Anyway, it usually takes something pretty exceptional to appeal to both sides of the stream. The Simpsons is a good example of this, because it was darkly humoured, which is a very British thing, and at the same time it was kind of dumb, which is something a lot of American's have in a lot of your programmes (eg. Friends, whether it's meant to be or not, the characters come across as pretty stupid). The Darkness, however, is a bad example of something that can appeal to both sides.

Sure, this will appeal to those who are riff heavy in a classic rock style. Sure it might just even appeal to those who love a good falsetto, although Hawkins' is not totally natural, but they are devoutly British. The sense of humour of this album is as British as a cockney wearing a British flag. Right for a start...'Get Your Hands Off My Woman' along with the other tracks on this little opus is humorous. It's supposed to be funny, but at the same time it's damn good music. It's like me and the rest of the Brits, we're ironic. It's funny, but it sounds like it's straight off an AC/DC album, therefore making it a serious proposition for the musically minded.

That's why I can see that it's so bemusing to you guys, and to us it was too. They basically came from nowhere with nothing behind them. Now I'm not even going to compare them to great bands, but Def Leppard (from Sheffield like me) came from nowhere and changed the world. The Darkness will not change the world, but it's about bloody time that someone tried to. This is not a bash at America, no. I love America, particularily the south and the music that comes from there... but Avril Lavigne (who yes, I am aware is Canadian), Linkin Park, Maroon 5 etc. will not change the world. Nothing will. But The Darkness are coming close. They're at least causing a stir.

Over here, you either love them or you hate them. I love them because they make me smile and that's all I expect of them. I've noticed a lot of reviews here that say that they can't be compared to their past masters. Ok: THEY'RE NOT TRYING. If anything they're paying tribute, while having fun and adding their own twist (which again, is essentially British). I mean, if you listen closely to some of these songs the riffs are heavily memorable. They're not as memorable as say 'Your Shook Me All Night Long' by AC/DC, 'Mr Brownstone' by Guns N' Roses or 'Livin' On A Prayer' by Bon Jovi, but they are memorable. They're catchy. They are at least above adequate no matter how you look at them. Just listening to songs such as 'Givin' Up', which is my personal favourite, you can't honestly expect this band to be serious. Sure, they play serious music, seriously quality that is, but the amount of smile-inducing moments throughout 'Permission To Land' is fantastic. I couldn't stop laughing at the moment in one of the songs, where he says 'Master...Help me Master' and then cackles insanely. It's moments like that make you think; they can't be for real. Which is why they're so very British. They're made to confuse you, a lot like our comedy, like our sense of humour as a whole. Twisted. Because they are for real, but they're so damn stupid they want to make you think they're not.

I will agree with this one; they are a bit of a novelty act that won't be around when the world is bored with them. What about Avril? Linkin Park? Limp Bizkit for Gods sake... everything these days is basically a novelty act. I don't know much music other than within the dark circles of Scandanavian black and death metal, that will be totally memorable in 20 years time. If you want damn good classic death metal if you can take it, get some Opeth. However if The Darkness will be remembered for one thing it's the fact that they're the most memorable novelty act, and a very good one and a very good influence in a post-Kurt Cobain musical world. Because let's face it, ever since grunge became something to remember fondley, not much good has followed.

The Darkness will at least be remembered, and with songs like 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love', 'Love Is Only A Feeling' and 'Love On The Rocks With No Ice', you'll at least laugh fondly to yourself in 15 years or so when the radio decides to play them. And just for reference, yes, 'Holding My Own' is about his genitals, yet another very Britishly humoured moment. I take my hat off to you guys (and yes I do wear a hat, although it isn't a top-hat...) who have fallen in love with The Darkness, congratulations you have the ability to see good music, without being blinded by theire influences, or how 'stupid' they might sound, you've let that go and enjoyed it. Frankly as much as you guys that really seem to dislike The Darkness need to think about this: though you might think they're messing around, which to a certain extent they are (how can anyone take Justin Hawkins' wail seriously?), in fooling around they've still produced music 10 times the quality of the vast, vast majority of nu-metal bands, and whatever else hits the top 10 this week. And The Darkness always sound like they're having more fun than Trapt or Disturbed. Very British, eh what?

4 Stars.

What a refreshing and long awaited change for ROCK'n'ROLL. It's been far too long since a group came along and totally kicked A** and obviously made no apologies for it. It's long overdue. I'm 44 years old, and have heard and seen it all. THE DARKNESS have some serious skills, and hopefully will be a band to be reckoned with in the future. The mainstream music industry should recognize a wake-up call when they hear one. This is an amazing debut album for anyone, and they should be very proud of this accomplishment. THIS BAND IS NO JOKE.

I was very hesitant about buying the Darkness at first. I didn't want to buy a spoof cd, and I didn't want to listen to a CD with horrible vocals. Boy, was I surprised when I picked this one up. I listened to "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" first, skipping the first songs. Then, I heard "Love Is Only A Feeling", which is a masterpiece. True brilliance. I could hear this song become a #1 single in the US really fast if it is ever released as one.
Here is a breakdown of all of the songs:

Black Shuck: 10/10
A really good song to start off a great album. A greak throwback to old rock songs.

Get Your Hands Off Of My Woman: 5/10
Not the greatest song ever written. Vocals are pretty annoying. Only song where I was at all annoyed with the vocals. This is my least favorite song on the CD, but you might like it.

Growing On Me: 9/10
One of my favorites on the CD. Oh, you will have this song stuck in your head for a looooong time. This song will definitely be growing on you once you hear it.

I Believe In A Thing Called Love: 10/10
Another great song! Most likely, you have already heard this song. If you think that the whole CD is like this song, however, you will be surprised when you hear the whole CD.

Love Is Only A Feeling: 10/10
Why a six out of five? Because, this ballad is a well written, but it still rocks this house. This will instantly become your favorite song on the CD! I would have given it an 11, but my point system only goes to 10, and it would be pretty lame to break my own rules. Anyway, about this song? Perfect.

Givin' Up: 9/10
A great song about drug addiction, stating that he's, "Givin' Up, Givin' Up, Givin' A ...." Great song!

Stuck In A Rut: 7/10
This song rocks, but it's not the best on the cd.

Friday Night: 8/10
A catchy song that will make you wear out your back button going back to this song.

Love On The Rocks With No Ice: 10/10
Good sound to this song. I love it!

Holding My Own: 10/10
The perfect ending to the perfect CD. No other words can explain it.

Wrapping it all up, don't let any reviewer stop you from buying this album. I was the one looking at the bad reviews, and it almost kept me from getting this masterpiece of music. Trust the reviewers who have actually listened to all of the cd, not just "I Believe In A Thing Called Love."

Anyway, this CD is NOT a joke, and I am so angry that anyone would think of this CD as anything other than a rock masterpiece. Well, I have done everything in my power to get you to get this album. Now I leave it all in your hands.