The Darkness

[Jonathan]

Have you listened to the lyrics Jonathan or are you going by just what you have seen?
The video makes so much more sense when you know what the song is about.

It certainly explains why they shot the video in the snow!?

Yes, I have listened to the lyrics! But I still think the video is super stupid and I still think they're crap!

[RichardNixon]

From allmusic
by Heather Phares
3 stars (of 5)
From the moment the pan flute fanfare on "One Way Ticket" kicks off One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back, it's clear that the Darkness still believes that more is more. If anything, the band believes that even more is even better: with the help of producer Roy Thomas Baker, they make their second album incredibly glossy and expensive-sounding, with layers of sitars, marching drums, bagpipes, and tubular bells on top of their already-powerful guitars, drums, and keyboards (and, of course, Justin Hawkins' formidable falsetto). But while the band's excess succeeded on Permission to Land, it loses some of its potency here: nothing on One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back is as immediate as "I Believe in a Thing Called Love." The band's debut celebrated and inflated the rock clich?s of sex, drugs, and partying; this album's best songs are about longterm relationships, getting clean, and balding. The soaring power ballad "Dinner Lady Arms" highlights the good-natured streak running through a surprising amount of the Darkness' songs, while "One Way Ticket" is an episode of Behind the Music, complete with cocaine snorting, turned into a pop single. More than occasionally, though, One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back just sounds unremarkable, despite the songs' elaborate sonics. Tracks like "Knockers" ? which should be a fool-proof Darkness song just based on its title ? and "Girlfriend" sound like they were made from bits and pieces of Permission to Land rejects, while overblown-yet-slight ballads such as "Blind Man" and "Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time" sound too much like stale Meat Loaf. Still, there are moments when the Darkness still sounds like the smartest, dumbest band around: "Is It Just Me?" has a chorus that rivals their best; the flamboyant Celtic rocker "Hazel Eyes" shows off both Justin Hawkins' over-the-top vocals and his brother Dan's over-the-top guitar licks; and lyrics like "English Country Garden"'s "I cherished you and you tolerated me" show that the wit that made their debut so much fun isn't entirely missing on this album. Not so much a letdown as a comedown, One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back just shows that the giddy highs of Permission to Land aren't so easy to get the second time around.
 

[Jonathan]

From allmusic
by Heather Phares
3 stars (of 5)
From the moment the pan flute fanfare on "One Way Ticket" kicks off One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back, it's clear that the Darkness still believes that more is more. If anything, the band believes that even more is even better: with the help of producer Roy Thomas Baker, they make their second album incredibly glossy and expensive-sounding, with layers of sitars, marching drums, bagpipes, and tubular bells on top of their already-powerful guitars, drums, and keyboards (and, of course, Justin Hawkins' formidable falsetto). But while the band's excess succeeded on Permission to Land, it loses some of its potency here: nothing on One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back is as immediate as "I Believe in a Thing Called Love." The band's debut celebrated and inflated the rock clich?s of sex, drugs, and partying; this album's best songs are about longterm relationships, getting clean, and balding. The soaring power ballad "Dinner Lady Arms" highlights the good-natured streak running through a surprising amount of the Darkness' songs, while "One Way Ticket" is an episode of Behind the Music, complete with cocaine snorting, turned into a pop single. More than occasionally, though, One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back just sounds unremarkable, despite the songs' elaborate sonics. Tracks like "Knockers" ? which should be a fool-proof Darkness song just based on its title ? and "Girlfriend" sound like they were made from bits and pieces of Permission to Land rejects, while overblown-yet-slight ballads such as "Blind Man" and "Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time" sound too much like stale Meat Loaf. Still, there are moments when the Darkness still sounds like the smartest, dumbest band around: "Is It Just Me?" has a chorus that rivals their best; the flamboyant Celtic rocker "Hazel Eyes" shows off both Justin Hawkins' over-the-top vocals and his brother Dan's over-the-top guitar licks; and lyrics like "English Country Garden"'s "I cherished you and you tolerated me" show that the wit that made their debut so much fun isn't entirely missing on this album. Not so much a letdown as a comedown, One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back just shows that the giddy highs of Permission to Land aren't so easy to get the second time around.
 

Jesus..

[Izzy]

From allmusic
by Heather Phares
3 stars (of 5)
From the moment the pan flute fanfare on "One Way Ticket" kicks off One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back, it's clear that the Darkness still believes that more is more. If anything, the band believes that even more is even better: with the help of producer Roy Thomas Baker, they make their second album incredibly glossy and expensive-sounding, with layers of sitars, marching drums, bagpipes, and tubular bells on top of their already-powerful guitars, drums, and keyboards (and, of course, Justin Hawkins' formidable falsetto). But while the band's excess succeeded on Permission to Land, it loses some of its potency here: nothing on One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back is as immediate as "I Believe in a Thing Called Love." The band's debut celebrated and inflated the rock clich?s of sex, drugs, and partying; this album's best songs are about longterm relationships, getting clean, and balding. The soaring power ballad "Dinner Lady Arms" highlights the good-natured streak running through a surprising amount of the Darkness' songs, while "One Way Ticket" is an episode of Behind the Music, complete with cocaine snorting, turned into a pop single. More than occasionally, though, One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back just sounds unremarkable, despite the songs' elaborate sonics. Tracks like "Knockers" ? which should be a fool-proof Darkness song just based on its title ? and "Girlfriend" sound like they were made from bits and pieces of Permission to Land rejects, while overblown-yet-slight ballads such as "Blind Man" and "Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time" sound too much like stale Meat Loaf. Still, there are moments when the Darkness still sounds like the smartest, dumbest band around: "Is It Just Me?" has a chorus that rivals their best; the flamboyant Celtic rocker "Hazel Eyes" shows off both Justin Hawkins' over-the-top vocals and his brother Dan's over-the-top guitar licks; and lyrics like "English Country Garden"'s "I cherished you and you tolerated me" show that the wit that made their debut so much fun isn't entirely missing on this album. Not so much a letdown as a comedown, One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back just shows that the giddy highs of Permission to Land aren't so easy to get the second time around.
 

That's probably fair, though 3 stars does seem to stray towards ''generous''. I was considering selling my copy on ebay - the fact is i doubt i'll listen to it after today, all it does is make me appreciate their first album

And just 10 tracks - whole thing is done in 38 mins flat - not impressed, nearly 2 years and thats it?

[R4tfink]

Id give it a 4, maybe its because im biased i have liked them for so long, compared to the "Average" fan.

Knockers would sound great live!

[Butch Français]

I really don't like the single, and Im just incredibly tired of them.
Haven't listened to the last album in about 2 years now.

[R4tfink]

I really don't like the single, and Im just incredibly tired of them.
Haven't listened to the last album in about 2 years now.

Well my friend, their new album is out. Worth a punt if i do say so myself. Download a couple of tracks, if you dont like it, delete them. If you do, go buy!

I recommend...

Knockers
Bald


From the new album, those two are my favourites from a great album!

[Butch Français]

thanks mate, I'll check them out!

[Aava]

I?ve only heard the first single, whitch is in my opinion ok and very much average, nothing less nothing more.
Vid is cool though! 
I?ll listen the rest of the songs as soon as i have the time.

[Sakib]

...but enough with that if you have heard it then how does it compare to the debut o'stoner dude...

The first listen, i didnt like it (probably because i have been dousing myself in Pantera for about 2 months), the second listen, it grew, the third it grew again and i think im on my tenth repeat listen since my friend found it!?

Its fucking awesome.

I will be purchasing it on Monday with any accompanying bits and bobs i can get my hands on, dvd's etc.

I also purchased my tickets to see them at The Nottingham Arena in Feb, 4 days before they went onto General release.
Well, i say i purchased, thats a little lie, Jarmos credit card did!

i say, Were they "growing on yu?" becuz they grew on me 

[RichardNixon]

I listened to it once, really rocks. Very pleased with it.

[grendood]

this albums is aweful.

[Evolution]

this albums is aweful.

So is your spelling 

[electricmage]

Just one thing.. The Darkness are NOT rock music.

And creativity is not your strong point.

[Axls Locomotive]

Just one thing.. The Darkness are NOT rock music.

And creativity is not your strong point.

Lets face it , he wouldnt know rock music even if it introduced itself to him

Ive not heard it yet but i know ill love it

Why are some so judgemental?...have the critics of the Darkness ever heard of fun?...maybe the critics should sit in a dark corner listening to their Coldplay albums instead of being so damn negative...



 

[R4tfink]

Why are some so judgemental?...have the critics of the Darkness ever heard of fun?...maybe the critics should sit in a dark corner listening to their Coldplay albums instead of being so damn negative...

 

[StradlinRose]

The Darkness KICK ASS.

I give the new album 8/10, I think it's a nice step forward for them.

[Evolution]

Which is the song that features bagpipes? I want to hear it.

[Axls Locomotive]

Which is the song that features bagpipes? I want to hear it.

its gotta be better than Mull of Kintyre

[Gunner80]

Great album, it's a little short though. Favorite song "Girfriend."