RATINGS: A = must own B = buy it C= average D = yawn F = puke

The Darkness – Hot Cakes
Wind Up Records
www.winduprecords.com
Rating: B+

The Darkness has made a name for themselves as the savior of Glam Rock. Like the bands that are their heroes, drugs, egos and disdain set in and five years ago the band split up.
Justin Hawkins, the leader of the group, admitted to Rolling Stone magazine that his band mate, and brother, Dan had to come to terms with the past in order to come together again,

“When I left, I think Dan was hurt by what seemed like a selfish act but I was heading towards getting so fat I'd have a heart attack, dying on the toilet like Elvis."

"We didn't want to start from where we left off," explained Dan Hawkins to Rolling Stone. "We wanted to go back to the beginning, which wasn't easy – it meant a battle of egos – but it's conducive to a certain magic."

The world of rock will be glad they put aside their differences and got their proverbial shit together as this album is the best thing they have ever done. The music is more focused and Justin reigns in his high pitched wail – a bit – enough to make it more musical and less cat in a wood chipper.

Songs like “With a Woman,” “Living Each Day Blind” and “Concrete” see The Darkness openly embracing Queen, as well as some of the more punk bands of the era, such as Ziggy Stardust era David Bowie.

The album opens with “Every Inch of You” in which Justin gives an autobiographical story of the band, along with how men want to suck his cock. Yes, Justin is back in the band alright.
The Darkness may finally get the media attention they deserve when they open for Lady Gaga on her European Tour.

The Darkness do not dazzle with brilliance, nor baffle with bullshit, they simply do what they do, do it well and move on, leaving a trail of bodily fluids in their wake. Buy the album on August 21st and crank it up... this one will be played loud and often.

By Jeb Wright