7. Hot Cakes (2012) 6. Pinewood Smile (2017) 5. Motorheart (2021) 4. One Way Ticket To Hell... And Back (2005) 3. Permission To Land (2003) 2. Easter Is Cancelled (2019) 1. Last Of Our Kind (2015)
The TH-cam algorithm blessed me with Justin Hawkins Rides Again. I was glad to hear Jason mention his channel! If you haven’t seen it, you really should. I could listen to Justin speak for hours. That voice, inflection, and such a command of his mother tongue - what a witty gent. He drags his haters with compassion. This man is so tuned in. It’s uncanny really. (You 3 are even more delightful to listen to, of course; triple threat) Re: The Darkness - I’ve heard their debut and their latest and a few songs in between. Loved their energy from the get go when I first heard them in the Golden Age of the 2000s, just like Electric ⚡️Six. Two bands that have a sense of humor about how hard they get down. Both with albums in 2021. We’re in that revival period of revelry amongst the chaos. Bring it.
I frickin' LOVE their cover of Street Spirit. Its depressing when Radiohead does it. When the Darkness do it, its Metal camp. Its funny. Its taking a piss out of the seriousness of the track. Its meant to overblown and over indulgent, and that's why I love it. Its not meant to be taken seriously. Its just fun.
I think it's great because it's both. I get the spine tingles because even as a slight piss take its still great enough a song to feel emotive whatever is done to it......I also love what Justin does. Rocking out and arching vocals....hits a sweet spot for sure. It's my 10th placed best cover of all time in fact....🤔🙅
Same. It takes that song to a completely different level and Justin’s vocals are really showcased to the point where he’s elevated into a stratospheric rock icon level. The thing I love about The Darkness is they’re a return to classic rock but done in a way that’s still original and they’re own personality bleeds through.
1. Permission to Land 2. Last of our Kind 3. Easter is Cancelled 4. Motorheart 5. One way ticket 6. Pinewood Smile 7. Hot Cakes And it is extremely close across all of these. I would say Permission is a 9.5 and Hot Cakes is a 7.
The Darkness are a truly wonderful band. A singular voice in these times, raised on rock and very 70s/80s influenced but with their own eccentric, exhilarating charm. Trade in a language almost uniquely their own these days. All of their albums I value highly, such a high quotient of tracks sport either exquisite melody, memorable musical hooks, or both. Justin's lyrics are eminently quotable. He is an articulate gent, and his lyrics are a mix of wit, charm and can also be very soulful. Their music is joyous, even euphoric at times. Excellent musicianship and quality songwriting. Hooks that you will simply not forget. Hope we get many more albums from these guys! (Going to see them in Cork city in about 3 weeks. First gig since March 2020 for me)
7. Pinewood Smile 8.3 6. One Way Ticket to Hell and Back 8.4 5. Easter is Cancelled 8.5 4. Last of Our Kind 8.6 3. Hot Cakes 8.64 2. Motorheart 9.1 1. Permission to Land 9.5 (#42 album of all time)
This band are so much fun. One of my post-2000 favourites for sure. 1. Permission To Land (Obviously. One of an extremely small list of albums where I love every single song. Am I the only one who gets major Purple Rain vibes from Holding my Own?). 5/5 2. Last of Our Kind (Well done for defending this one Kram! The closest they have got to replicating the combination of memorable riffs, top pop tunes and entirely bonkers lyrical subject matter of the debut IMHO) 4.5/5 3. Pinewood Smile (I thought you were all a tad harsh on this one, Contains some of their best non-PTL tracks although I'd accept it's not entirely consistent) 4/5 4. Motorheart (It flies by and there are no skippable tracks. That said, I don't think there are any candidates on here for a top 20/25 Darkness songs list on the record which may be the only one of their albums I could say that about.). 4/5 5. Easter is Cancelled. (A darker vibe than usual. I really like about half of this one but there are several tracks that never lodged in my mind) 3.5/5 6. Hot Cakes (Less trademark Darkness eccentricity than normal and it one "just" sounds like a perfectly accomplished pop-metal album in the main. The Street Spirit cover doesn't offend me but I feel no great urge to revisit it either.) 3.5/5 7. One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back (I seem to be on my own with this opinion, but they really lost their edge with this one IMHO. Overindulgent, and it suffers in direct comparison with the debut. A case of too much money and too many drugs?) 2/5
Another entertaining one! I remember buying Permission to Land at Virgin Megastore in NYC (an import I believe) and listening to it NON-STOP for probably 6 months. I also saw what I believe was their first U.S. show at The Bowery Ballroom in 2003. It was as insane as you might imagine. Unforgettable! I still love PTL and enjoy everything else. 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Hell yes! Last of our Kind is an amazing album. I was smiling from Ear to Ear the entire time. Its an absolute shitshow ,trainwreck of an album (in a good way). Totally glad that Kram was on board
It would seem the loudest wars never ended for compact disc (and even digital download, lossless or not, if what is listed is official) judging by the Loudness War dynamic range database. If that is an issue you would probably be best to collect vinyl
Man, I could use some fun with the way the week has started! I knew just the first two albums and a bit of Hot Cakes. Looking forward to listening to the rest of the albums the rest of the week!
PTL is my favorite, but Kram wins this round for his invaluable insight into the greatness that is Last of Our Kind, while it was being spurned by the evil step-sisters. Props too for mentioning Hammer & Tongs, Roaring Waters and Conquerors. Great tunes.
I didn't get to listen to all their discography because I am pretty deep into listening to Bowie right now in preparation for next week. I did make some time to listen to Permission to Land and it was a lot of fun. I remember how exciting they were when they first came out and "I Believe In a Thing Called Love" was the soundtrack to many great parties at that time. Hearing you all talk about the albums made me want to listen to a few more. I definitely want to check out Motorheart. I was definitely expecting a trifecta, always fun to get a surprise.
1. Permission to Land 2. One Way Ticket to Hell 3. Motorheart (really grew on me) 4. Easter is Cancelled 5. Last of Our Kind 6. Pinewood Smile 7. Hot Cakes I would put Hot Leg's Red Light Fever between 3 and 4. It is mostly a 2/3 way tie for 1, 2, and 3.
Pinewood Smile - 2 stars Motorheart-2.5 stars Hot Cakes -2.5 stars One Way Ticket -2.5 stars Easter is Canceled - 3 stars Last of our Kind - 3.5 stars Permission to Land - 4 stars Yeah, Kram, love your enthusiasm for Last of Our Kind and Easter is Cancelled, it’s killer!
7. Last of Our Kind (2.5) 6. Pinewood Smile (2.5) 5. Hot Cakes (3) 4. Easter Is Cancelled (3) 3. One Way Ticket to Hell and Back (4) 2. Permission to Land (4) 1. Motorheart (4.5)
Massive the darkness fan. Looking forward to this. Holding on to my hat! It begins.. Now I can't rank the albums. Like your children, each one is special in tos own way and each one gets near enough equal air time.
Loved The Darkness since the debut record came out. My rankings: 1. Permission to Land 2. One Way Ticket 3. Last of Our Kind 4. Pinewood Smile 5. Easter is Cancelled 6. Motorheart 7. Hot Cakes. Not one album is below 3.5 stars. This band never fails to make a fun and enjoyable album every time.
Loved them since I was a kid and heard Permission to Land, personal ranking: 1. Last of Our Kind 2. One Way Ticket 3. Permission to Land 4. Motorheart 5. Hot Cakes 6. Pinewood Smile 7. Easter is Cancelled
One of the things I appreciate about you guys is the lack of snobbery - The Darkness were all the rage when I was a 14yo greebo in Wolverhampton! 'Growing on Me' still makes me think of my first proper crush 😂 keep it up chaps!
Thanks guys, I really enjoyed this episode. The Darkness were great live the one and only time I saw them back in the days of Permission to Land. If I remember, they were covering "Street Spirit" live back then too. I was disappointed by the second album and the band imploded in a haze of egos and drugs, but I agree with Kramzer - some of their later work has been great!
You must convince them that Genesis, Kate Bush and Rush are big fans of Art Lee's Love. Better chance to get them to do Love Unlimited instead. Actually Forever Changes is Plant's favorite and loved by Elton John.
Very Fun band, my ranking: 1. One Way Ticket to Hell (8/10) 2. Permission to Land (8/10) 3. Motorheart (7,5/10) 4. Easter is Cancelled (7,5 /10) 5. Last Of Our Kind (7/10) 6. Hot Cakes (6,5/10) 7. Pinewood Smile (6/10) Greetings from Gran Canaria.
7. Motorheart 6. Pinewood Smile 5. Hot Cakes 4. Easter Is Canceled * Hot Leg 3. One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back 2. Last of Our Kind 1. Permission to Land
WHO DEY !!! WHO DAY!!! well , this was a plesant surprise!!! Quite enjoyable 7 one way ticket to hell and back 3 stars 6 motorheart 3 stars 5 pinewood smile 3 stars 4 easter is cancelled 3 stars 3 last of our kind 3.5 stars 2 hot cakes 4 stars 1 permission to land 4.5 stars on to 2 oustanding weeks ahead!!🏆
When are you going to do Merzbow? (279 studio albums..a fun Internet search with some astonishing numbers from quite a few names, although this appears to be the "record"). A Greek woman singer allegedly has recorded 450..insane.
Shocked to see Joe put “Last of Our Kind” last. It’s easily one of their best. The Darkness are actually quite good at what they do. Solid discography with no weak albums and some great ones. Enjoy their over the top retro glam and hard rock. Ranking below: ALBUM RANKING: 1. Permission to Land (2003) - 9/10 2. Last of Our Kind (2015) - 8.5/10 3. Motorheart (2021) - 7.5/10 4. One Way Ticket to Hell... And Back (2005) - 7.5/10 5. Easter Is Cancelled (2019) - 7/10 6. Hot Cakes (2012) - 7/10 7. Pinewood Smile (2017) - 7/10 RATING SCALE: 10: Perfect 9.5: Masterpiece 8.5 - 9: Excellent 7.5 - 8: Great 6.5 - 7: Very Good 5.5 - 6: Good 4.5 - 5: Okay 3.5 - 4: Bad 2.5 - 3: Very Bad 1.5 - 2: Awful 0.5 - 1: Terrible 0: Garbage
You three have such a great ability to make interesting comments and insight about bands that I know very little about, and even have won me over as a fan to the Byrds and Fleetwood Mac. Having said that, the Darkness stretches this theory. Should I care about their music? Still being patient for other artists/groups I would enjoy more, Crowded House, Elvis Costello, the Hollies, Lloyd Cole, Alan Parsons Project, Go Betweens, Paul Kelly, Deep Purple, Teenage Fanclub (reboot), Barenaked Ladies, Bangles, Fountains of Wayne, Asia, Alison Krauss, and even the divisive Paul McCartney.
His 70s stuff is way different from the 80s and beyond stuff, so almost a tale of two different artists. I think most people consider the Swordfishtrombones/Rain Dogs/Frank's Wild Years albums from the 80s his peak, but there's a fair amount of people who champion his 70s albums, which tend to be more singer-songwritery with some jazzy elements. The 80s and beyond is a weird mix of styles that's difficult to explain.
Great show. I was expecting you to slate them to be honest because their humour doesn’t seem to translate to the US. Having said that you get Blur & the Kinks so I shouldn’t have been surprised. No surprise I love the Darkness, I originally avoided them as I assumed they’d be a black metal band based on their name. My favourite albums are 4. Motorheart 3. One Way ticket…. 2. Last of our Kind 1. Permission. They’re great live btw.
TH-cam's algorithm brought me here as I watch alot of Darkness's stuff. Nice reviews and thoughts on the album's. Being from the UK I was into them from the get go, they were everywhere in 2003. The first album has that sound because it was self funded so it was cheap. This is my ranking 1. Last Of Our Kind. 5/5 2. Permission To Land. 4.5/5 3. Motorheart. 4/5 4. Easter Is Cancelled 5. One Way Ticket. 4/5 6. Hot Cakes 3.5/5 7. Pinewood Smile. 3/5
I usually align with Joe the most, but I'm only a few minutes in and he already put my favorite (Last Of Our Kind) in his last place! But that's why this is fun
I was lucky enough to see The Darkness at a festival here in Scotland, called T in the Park, when they just released Permission to Land. They were heading and the only downside is, they were on at the same time as Muse, as they released Absolution. The Darkness blew everyone away!
Got to admit, I don’t have a clue when it comes to The Darkness except for “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” and their Christmas song which was great, so I’m interested to hear what you guys have to say. I’m also hyped as it’s the last 80’s year this week 😜 Cheers! 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Respect for having LOOK at number 1 bro. My list: 1. Permission to Land 4.5/5 2. Motorheart 4/5 3. Last of our Kind 4/5 4. Pinewood Smile 4/5 5. Easter is Canceled 3.5/5 6. One Way Ticket 3/5 7. Hot Cakes 2.5/5 I still think permission is the most consistent album. As an Australian I’m probably more concerned about a straight up raw sounding rock album with little care about lyrical content. Great watch boys 🤘🏼
Tastes Like Music Riiiides Again! No ranking but a few thoughts. Great video btw. I agree with Kramzer that the guitar solos and riffs are very good. From what I understand, many classic rockers don't get The Darkness. I don't really get why. Musically much of it is basically a mix of some of the biggest bands but has its own personality. Lots of the guitar work is much more appealing to me than most rock beyond the old classic years. The comedy? Many love "This Is Spinal Tap". Frank Zappa had a wicked sense of humor. David Lee Roth put in quite many non-traditional/funny lyrics in Van Halen and his solo work... So how come the distance to The Darkness can be so big for some? Justin Hawkins voice? I can see that.. But Geddy Lee? Ozzy Osbourne? Bob Dylan? Lemmy Kilmister? Many famous front men/singers had a strange/odd voice. The songs and albums can be a bit patchy. Which is the downfall of the album "Pinewood Smile". For me that album seems like they just did whatever they wanted and put one song after each other. No "concept" nor basic idea behind it. Just a big mash of anything and everything. I do like it for most part but it could have been better quite easily. I would rank the lowest about a weak 3 / 5 and the best a solid 4 / 5. Not that big of a difference to me between them all. However. I do feel The Darkness is more of a song or live band than a album band. They could easily fill a rather long setlist and make every song count but on the albums there are always some that lacks the little extra. Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End) did become rather famous. Later on they did a very different Christmas song called "I am Santa" (there is a video of it here on TH-cam) . Both comes recommended. I hope you all have a great rest of your day!
Rate Your Music users apparently think the “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” cover is the best song on Hot Cakes with a 3.8 average, so I guess Kramzer is in the minority on that one. I just listened to it and it’s definitely not anywhere near worse than the Peter Gabriel cover that actively offended Thom Yorke at least. I was familiar with the first two albums around the time they came out courtesy of my brother but haven’t listened to them in years. I would guess they’d still be in the low 3.5 or high 3 range for me respectively. I can see how some people would be really into them, and maybe I’d be too if I was a bit more of a fan of AC/DC, Queen, Def Leppard or whoever else they’re influenced by than I am. This was still a very enjoyable watch regardless of my not knowing any of their post 2005 albums.
Always good to see fellow Darkness fans. I think Motorheart is the strongest of their post-comeback albums and...I also think it's their best collection of bonus tracks.
Opinions vary, but Motorheart apparently is #3 in everyone's hearts; never heard of this band; and I only checked out one song: That "universe has sent you here to die" one; really good production; they've got better equipment than just a laptop and a USB mic; it sounds like..Cheap Trick/ Iron Maiden sounding at first listen? Idk;.Going to check out Motorheart now, lol
Best band of the 21st century for me. Great albums apart from Pinewood Smile. Kramzer is pretty much spot on with his assessments although the debut is my favourite.
Lowestoft's finest! So proud that we share a hometown, hearing their music always reminds me of growing up there... 1. Permission To Land 2. Hot Cakes 3. Pinewood Smile 4. One Way Ticket To Hell And Back 5. Last Of Our Kind 6. Easter Is Cancelled 7. Motorheart
At first glance I thought the guy in the top left was an idiot putting permission to land #4 BUT I really like hot cakes and Easter is cancelled,so I like that he gives those respect. That being said permission to land is a no brainer for #1. The thing that annoys me about one way ticket is that if it’s a one way ticket it would just be to hell and not hell and back!
Graham Parker, Love, Marshall Crenshaw, Guided by Voices, Yardbirds, REM albums. If they can rank every member of the Byrds then even more fodder to be found in Yardbirds. They ignore Tears for Fears because they can't face the therapy they all need (joke).
Great Rock N Roll bands like this are rare these days, so enjoy them whilst you can. Albums marked /10 and ranked with thoughts as listened as usual. Conclusion below. 7 Pinewood Smile (2017) 6.5/10 kudos for the honest funny in your face and spot on lyrics. But the album is oft lackluster for this great band over all especially 2nd half 6 Motorheart (2021) 8/10 excellent whole listen yes but needs more time as there dont seem to be the big can't stop smiling tracks I'm used to from the boys apart from the very outstanding closer🤔 5 One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back (2005) 8.5/10 excellent follow up. The only way was down after fab debut, but not far down! Mostly excellent record. A notable issue is the mix on Bald. Justin is too far back. The great subtle guitar work would still have worked if he was louder. Last 3 tracks are overly derivative slightly of Queen vocally but 2 are so fast and funny who cares....🤷♂️ 4 Easter Is Cancelled (2019) 9.5/10 fantastic album that is full of that rare sweet romance with rock roll in every sense. So much so you could choke on it if you aren't careful. 🙅❤️🔥🎸 3 Hot Cakes (2012) 10/10 love this album. If you don't think it's that good then you can.....suck my c***🤣🤣....who else would put a lyric like that in the opening track!?!🤠 Great songs throughout. My top 3 are close. 2 Last of Our Kind (2015) 10/10 ❤️🔥🎸yet to have a huge cultural impact similar to debut but this + Hot Cakes are clearly as expertly realized song for song. Love it! Barbarians is my fave Darkness opener! Distinguishes itself from HC with its overall greater variety style wise. Been saying it about this band since LofOK came out - albums since debut sooooo overlooked and much needed on the scene to this day.🤟 1 Permission to Land (2003) 10/10🏆❤️🔥 I gave this album to my 12 year old sister....its the last time I saw her so it means a lot. I like to think she might like the album. Musically my only criticism is Stuck In A Rut as it is the first sign of average (even it's fine-still fun rockin song.) Clearly one of the best debuts in rock history. Every song almost is it's own high point imo. Deserving of its status as THE fun rockin dad rock hard, smile on your face with a tiny tear, genius album👍😎👨🎤. Conclusion Why dont the beautiful cry? I hear you all asking....maybe because they dont understand the deep rooted pain within...... dad rock!!!😂🎸So many great songs have the big D writ! I think we are only in the middle bit of the Age of Cheeky Chaps Shitting Our Gold from The Darkness....they have loads more to offer and should be thanked for bringing quality rock back to the collective popular music consciousness that was much needed back then and even more so now. The 'don't take yourself too seriously and have a good time (quite literally of course in one song everybody!🤠)' sound they often bring is still so refreshing because the music is also mostly great! Justin's voice remains iconic, distinctively far reaching without being annoying. Like all excellent bands they are also genuinely emotive when it suits them and their legacy is set to continue. Just the one minor blip in their discography for me so far. That's great going. Great legacy. Great fun. Great albums. Great band.❤️🔥😎
My list is nowhere near any of yours, nor anyone else's in the comments, it seems... 7. Hot Cakes 6. One Way Ticket 5. Pinewood Smile 4. Last of Our Kind 3. Motorheart 2. Easter Is Cancelled 1. Permission to Land
At 47:01, when Joe said that "One Way Ticket to Hell and Back" was "kind of a train wreck", how did no one make a reference to the album cover? Yes, I've got dad jokes.
Jason needs to make a public apology for his blur video. They were the closest thing to the Beatles of the 90s. And Graham Coxon was hands down the most innovative pop guitarist of the 90s.
I listened to their first 3 albums, multiple times each. I didn't hate them but I also didn't find more than 1 or 2 songs worth revisiting. With Bowie & Roxy Music coming down the pipe I couldn't justify spending any more time on The Darkness, so I moved on.
It would be fun if there was a mechanism for viewers to rate the artist of the week...I think it would be interesting to see if it correlates with the general tone of the comments. I may be wrong but after reading all the comments here, I get the sense that there were never as many outright negative about a band in general
Check out last night's NBC News with Lester Holt & get a laugh at the reaction to Neil Young , Joni & Nils pulling their catalogs from Spotify. As a bonus you can see me get trolled on both of my comments. Troll my troll if you wish 🤞
Don’t even JOKE, Mr. Kramzer, about Bob Dylan not being in the coming TLM HOF! Still want Joe to join in the re-master of the Master’s catalogue. Puts the E in essential. JPE
My son has a few thoughts, with a little help from me, since I told him i wanted to sit this out and he misbehaved earlier and i thought this would be a good time for some minor discipline: John says " This band is good but a joke. Sounds like a hard rocking Tenacious D, Robert Plant or Geddy Lee. Show-off screechy guitar hurts my ears daddy. I like "Thing called love". "Can I go out to play now?" Me: "Sure talent boy , you made Dad proud".
@@TastesLikeMusic The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I feed him The Tenacious D to Geddy Lee part. I tried to listen but not really the kind of band I like - not a heavy metal guy. How about the greatest pop and rock songwriting teams or Duos or Duets? Roxy Music top 10 singles. I will join when you do Graham Parker week for sure.
I don't mind at least a few songs, but over all I can't listen to them all that much. I'd rather listen to Queen, or even Tool, whom I would love you to feature, either on your own a cord or, through Patreon pics.
I was only familiar with the single...I hated it...couldnt get over his voice...I can appreciate the range but...no...I watched the whole video...(well done)...so I thought I'd give Sarah oh Sarah a shot....got halfway through...same result...maybe iwill try another cut....something not so over the top....or...maybe not..lol...
The problem with the band is the lack of irony, which is what you need if your sources are not the great hard rock icons of the 70s but the already derivative second or third tier bands of the late 70s/early 80s era. If you are the copy of a copy you need to bring a bit of extra colour with you. Yes, he can shriek higher than...Janis Joplin (we need a woman here, right) who knew it would be enervating if she did - so Yoko Ono, who used it as a weapon disguised as art - or was that the other way round? Suzi Quatro with recycled guitar riffs? Twisted Sister without fun? Or Steve Vai who once again forgot that Zappa had intended this as a heavy metal parody. I only ever listened to 5 albums over the years and did not feel inspired to check the others just for completeness. 5. One Way Ticket 1,5 (On the debut they copied the copy that other band's already were. Here they went even further and just copied themselves + Queen. Even with Roy Thomas Baker to throw everything he knows into the boil, hot water is not soup.) 4. Motorheart 2,0 (I had long dismissed this mediocre band but was infected by the Listographer's enthusiasm about this 2021 release to check it out...same as it ever was.) 3. Permission To Land 2,5 (My CD - wherever I bought it - had that parental advisory sticker on it. Normally a good sign for interesting content - but I could not find out why it was on this one, maybe the cover picture? Recycled Quiet Riot poppyfied.) 2. Last of Our Kind 2,5 (Not all Thin Lizzy tunes are great, they could sometimes produce some pretty mediocre hard rock poses. Those are the blueprint for this album. But Darkness do what they do with uncompromising energy and enthusiasm and nearly win you over with it, just like Ragnar nearly had won England. Sadly the album title was wrong...they were not the last of their kind to put out albums like this.) 1. Hot Cakes 3,0 (The voice is still too much for a whole album and the song writing is just average. This would have been a 3 star effort at the time they mimic and it is the same at the time of release. There is no evidence that they will ever get better than this.)
my opinion(gonna get a lot of hate for this) 7.permission(lol) 6.hot cakes 5.motorheart 4.one way ticket 3.last of our kind 2.pinewood 1.easter (no this is not in reverse)
I'm in the darkness on this one...bring back the classics (I know...OK Boomer!). I just listened to ten seconds and am glad I missed out. If you're going to hit early 2000s, do Phoenix or Doves or Athlete. How did this make the cut?
Sorry...that was harsh..I still love you guys..I know I don't represent everyone but I can't help keeping my comments real to myself..it's not easy to please everyone!
@@TastesLikeMusic I'll bet more people know Phoenix...if only for their two huge hits from around 2009..maybe not Doves or Athlete (although that is the order from worst to best)
7. Hot Cakes (2012)
6. Pinewood Smile (2017)
5. Motorheart (2021)
4. One Way Ticket To Hell... And Back (2005)
3. Permission To Land (2003)
2. Easter Is Cancelled (2019)
1. Last Of Our Kind (2015)
Almost exactly the same as my list (I could easily have had Last of our kind no 1 too!!) Top 4 albums are interchangeable for me!!! Great list!!
The TH-cam algorithm blessed me with Justin Hawkins Rides Again. I was glad to hear Jason mention his channel! If you haven’t seen it, you really should.
I could listen to Justin speak for hours. That voice, inflection, and such a command of his mother tongue - what a witty gent. He drags his haters with compassion. This man is so tuned in. It’s uncanny really. (You 3 are even more delightful to listen to, of course; triple threat) Re: The Darkness - I’ve heard their debut and their latest and a few songs in between. Loved their energy from the get go when I first heard them in the Golden Age of the 2000s, just like Electric ⚡️Six. Two bands that have a sense of humor about how hard they get down. Both with albums in 2021. We’re in that revival period of revelry amongst the chaos. Bring it.
Justin Hawkins Rides Again is one of the best things on TH-cam right now.
1. Permission to Land
2. One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back
3. Last of Our Kind
4. Motorheart
5. Easter is Cancelled
6. Hot Cakes
7. Pinewood Smile
Last Of Our Kind contains what might still be their most expansive and underrated track; Mighty Wings.
I frickin' LOVE their cover of Street Spirit. Its depressing when Radiohead does it. When the Darkness do it, its Metal camp. Its funny. Its taking a piss out of the seriousness of the track. Its meant to overblown and over indulgent, and that's why I love it. Its not meant to be taken seriously. Its just fun.
I think it's great because it's both. I get the spine tingles because even as a slight piss take its still great enough a song to feel emotive whatever is done to it......I also love what Justin does. Rocking out and arching vocals....hits a sweet spot for sure. It's my 10th placed best cover of all time in fact....🤔🙅
Same. It takes that song to a completely different level and Justin’s vocals are really showcased to the point where he’s elevated into a stratospheric rock icon level. The thing I love about The Darkness is they’re a return to classic rock but done in a way that’s still original and they’re own personality bleeds through.
1. Permission to Land
2. Last of our Kind
3. Easter is Cancelled
4. Motorheart
5. One way ticket
6. Pinewood Smile
7. Hot Cakes
And it is extremely close across all of these. I would say Permission is a 9.5 and Hot Cakes is a 7.
Watching this again Jason definitely nailed this ranking
The Darkness are a truly wonderful band. A singular voice in these times, raised on rock and very 70s/80s influenced but with their own eccentric, exhilarating charm. Trade in a language almost uniquely their own these days.
All of their albums I value highly, such a high quotient of tracks sport either exquisite melody, memorable musical hooks, or both. Justin's lyrics are eminently quotable. He is an articulate gent, and his lyrics are a mix of wit, charm and can also be very soulful.
Their music is joyous, even euphoric at times. Excellent musicianship and quality songwriting. Hooks that you will simply not forget. Hope we get many more albums from these guys!
(Going to see them in Cork city in about 3 weeks. First gig since March 2020 for me)
7. Pinewood Smile 8.3
6. One Way Ticket to Hell and Back 8.4
5. Easter is Cancelled 8.5
4. Last of Our Kind 8.6
3. Hot Cakes 8.64
2. Motorheart 9.1
1. Permission to Land 9.5 (#42 album of all time)
Just curious, how do you arrive at your ranking scores?
@@jeffspicoli763 I rank each song on a scale of 10, then average, although some certain iconic songs get an 11.
@@realCaptainSanta I like it! What's some examples of an 11?
@@jeffspicoli763 for the Darkness, their 11s are Giving Up & Growing on Me
One of your more enjoyable rankings for me. I'm going to see them in April and can't wait! Cheers Matt Street
Guys, we gotta go back to using that other blank side of the screen. Bring back the album covers to their normal size!
This band are so much fun. One of my post-2000 favourites for sure.
1. Permission To Land (Obviously. One of an extremely small list of albums where I love every single song. Am I the only one who gets major Purple Rain vibes from Holding my Own?). 5/5
2. Last of Our Kind (Well done for defending this one Kram! The closest they have got to replicating the combination of memorable riffs, top pop tunes and entirely bonkers lyrical subject matter of the debut IMHO) 4.5/5
3. Pinewood Smile (I thought you were all a tad harsh on this one, Contains some of their best non-PTL tracks although I'd accept it's not entirely consistent) 4/5
4. Motorheart (It flies by and there are no skippable tracks. That said, I don't think there are any candidates on here for a top 20/25 Darkness songs list on the record which may be the only one of their albums I could say that about.). 4/5
5. Easter is Cancelled. (A darker vibe than usual. I really like about half of this one but there are several tracks that never lodged in my mind) 3.5/5
6. Hot Cakes (Less trademark Darkness eccentricity than normal and it one "just" sounds like a perfectly accomplished pop-metal album in the main. The Street Spirit cover doesn't offend me but I feel no great urge to revisit it either.) 3.5/5
7. One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back (I seem to be on my own with this opinion, but they really lost their edge with this one IMHO. Overindulgent, and it suffers in direct comparison with the debut. A case of too much money and too many drugs?) 2/5
Another entertaining one! I remember buying Permission to Land at Virgin Megastore in NYC (an import I believe) and listening to it NON-STOP for probably 6 months. I also saw what I believe was their first U.S. show at The Bowery Ballroom in 2003. It was as insane as you might imagine. Unforgettable! I still love PTL and enjoy everything else. 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Hell yes! Last of our Kind is an amazing album. I was smiling from Ear to Ear the entire time. Its an absolute shitshow ,trainwreck of an album (in a good way). Totally glad that Kram was on board
It would seem the loudest wars never ended for compact disc (and even digital download, lossless or not, if what is listed is official) judging by the Loudness War dynamic range database. If that is an issue you would probably be best to collect vinyl
hit the button !! pound it!! on to 8 k congrats !👍👍👍👍👍
Man, I could use some fun with the way the week has started! I knew just the first two albums and a bit of Hot Cakes. Looking forward to listening to the rest of the albums the rest of the week!
PTL is my favorite, but Kram wins this round for his invaluable insight into the greatness that is Last of Our Kind, while it was being spurned by the evil step-sisters. Props too for mentioning Hammer & Tongs, Roaring Waters and Conquerors. Great tunes.
I didn't get to listen to all their discography because I am pretty deep into listening to Bowie right now in preparation for next week. I did make some time to listen to Permission to Land and it was a lot of fun. I remember how exciting they were when they first came out and "I Believe In a Thing Called Love" was the soundtrack to many great parties at that time.
Hearing you all talk about the albums made me want to listen to a few more. I definitely want to check out Motorheart.
I was definitely expecting a trifecta, always fun to get a surprise.
I had no idea the Darkness made any music after 2005-thought they’d broken up after their second album. Thanks for correcting my misconception!
they did, then reformed in 2012
1. Permission to Land
2. One Way Ticket to Hell
3. Motorheart (really grew on me)
4. Easter is Cancelled
5. Last of Our Kind
6. Pinewood Smile
7. Hot Cakes
I would put Hot Leg's Red Light Fever between 3 and 4.
It is mostly a 2/3 way tie for 1, 2, and 3.
1. Permission To Land
2. Last of Our Kind
3. One Way Ticket
4. Easter Is Cancelled
5. Hot Cakes
6. Motorheart
7. Pinewood Smile
Pinewood Smile - 2 stars
Motorheart-2.5 stars
Hot Cakes -2.5 stars
One Way Ticket -2.5 stars
Easter is Canceled - 3 stars
Last of our Kind - 3.5 stars
Permission to Land - 4 stars
Yeah, Kram, love your enthusiasm for Last of Our Kind and Easter is Cancelled, it’s killer!
Get the deluxe Hot Cakes cd. Cannonball is epic. Guys, what is your favourite album cover art?
Gotta be hot cakes. - Joe
7. Last of Our Kind (2.5)
6. Pinewood Smile (2.5)
5. Hot Cakes (3)
4. Easter Is Cancelled (3)
3. One Way Ticket to Hell and Back (4)
2. Permission to Land (4)
1. Motorheart (4.5)
7 Easter is cancelled
6Pinewood smile
5Hotcakes
4One way ticket to hell and back
3Last of our kind
2 motorheart
1Permission to land
Nice to see Motorheart getting love!
Almost identical to my ranking.
"The seat I relied on belongs to Poseidon" is just such a great lyric.
Into the brine
This blusterous swine
Stole something precious from me that day
When I heard the opening two tracks of Last of Our Kind, I thought of Let's Dance. Up there with the best opening tracks ever.
Nice video! Here’s mine:
1. permission
2. Motorheart
5. Tie: one way/LOOK/Hot Cakes-all have several good tracks
6. Easter
7. Pinewood
the Hot Leg Album was good too. Nobody bought it but it deserved better
I got it, but I think Stone Gods is better honestly.
And I do like it.
1. Permission to Land
2. Last of Our Kind
3. Hot Cakes
4. Easter is Cancelled
5. One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back
6. Motorheart
7. Pinewood Smile
Uh.....snap! With The Darkness we are as one👌🙅🎸❤️🔥😎
Massive the darkness fan. Looking forward to this. Holding on to my hat! It begins..
Now I can't rank the albums. Like your children, each one is special in tos own way and each one gets near enough equal air time.
I'm gonna go give The Darkness a Listen
Loved The Darkness since the debut record came out. My rankings:
1. Permission to Land
2. One Way Ticket
3. Last of Our Kind
4. Pinewood Smile
5. Easter is Cancelled
6. Motorheart
7. Hot Cakes.
Not one album is below 3.5 stars. This band never fails to make a fun and enjoyable album every time.
Loved them since I was a kid and heard Permission to Land, personal ranking:
1. Last of Our Kind
2. One Way Ticket
3. Permission to Land
4. Motorheart
5. Hot Cakes
6. Pinewood Smile
7. Easter is Cancelled
One of the things I appreciate about you guys is the lack of snobbery - The Darkness were all the rage when I was a 14yo greebo in Wolverhampton! 'Growing on Me' still makes me think of my first proper crush 😂 keep it up chaps!
Thanks guys, I really enjoyed this episode. The Darkness were great live the one and only time I saw them back in the days of Permission to Land. If I remember, they were covering "Street Spirit" live back then too. I was disappointed by the second album and the band imploded in a haze of egos and drugs, but I agree with Kramzer - some of their later work has been great!
I would like to see you guys do Love. Really underrated band that I think you’d all enjoy them. Also Forever Changes is a classic album anyways
You must convince them that Genesis, Kate Bush and Rush are big fans of Art Lee's Love. Better chance to get them to do Love Unlimited instead. Actually Forever Changes is Plant's favorite and loved by Elton John.
I'm a huge Love fan but the guys would only have 4 albums to seriously consider & De Capo & Forever Changes are clearly the top two.
So is Da Capo, junior...
@@SpaceCattttt Like The Police De , Da , Do , Duh .. - You right ✅ !
Four Sail for the win.
Very Fun band, my ranking:
1. One Way Ticket to Hell (8/10)
2. Permission to Land (8/10)
3. Motorheart (7,5/10)
4. Easter is Cancelled (7,5 /10)
5. Last Of Our Kind (7/10)
6. Hot Cakes (6,5/10)
7. Pinewood Smile (6/10)
Greetings from Gran Canaria.
The Darkness….a band with it’s tongue firmly in it’s cheek and a cucumber firmly down it’s trousers
So underrated! For my money, they were like the only good band to emerge from the 2000s. They are f**king amazing live, as well.
7. Motorheart
6. Pinewood Smile
5. Hot Cakes
4. Easter Is Canceled
* Hot Leg
3. One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back
2. Last of Our Kind
1. Permission to Land
Motorheart last? Really?
WHO DEY !!! WHO DAY!!!
well , this was a plesant surprise!!! Quite enjoyable
7 one way ticket to hell and back 3 stars
6 motorheart 3 stars
5 pinewood smile 3 stars
4 easter is cancelled 3 stars
3 last of our kind 3.5 stars
2 hot cakes 4 stars
1 permission to land 4.5 stars
on to 2 oustanding weeks ahead!!🏆
When are you going to do Merzbow? (279 studio albums..a fun Internet search with some astonishing numbers from quite a few names, although this appears to be the "record"). A Greek woman singer allegedly has recorded 450..insane.
Soon. We will probably break some rules and just do the top 275 though, you know to save time
@@ryankramzer1256 Makes sense. We can watch your beards grow during the episode.
Shocked to see Joe put “Last of Our Kind” last. It’s easily one of their best. The Darkness are actually quite good at what they do. Solid discography with no weak albums and some great ones. Enjoy their over the top retro glam and hard rock. Ranking below:
ALBUM RANKING:
1. Permission to Land (2003) - 9/10
2. Last of Our Kind (2015) - 8.5/10
3. Motorheart (2021) - 7.5/10
4. One Way Ticket to Hell... And Back (2005) - 7.5/10
5. Easter Is Cancelled (2019) - 7/10
6. Hot Cakes (2012) - 7/10
7. Pinewood Smile (2017) - 7/10
RATING SCALE:
10: Perfect
9.5: Masterpiece
8.5 - 9: Excellent
7.5 - 8: Great
6.5 - 7: Very Good
5.5 - 6: Good
4.5 - 5: Okay
3.5 - 4: Bad
2.5 - 3: Very Bad
1.5 - 2: Awful
0.5 - 1: Terrible
0: Garbage
Who doesn't like Open Fire and Mudslide? Where did we go wrong with him?
@@independenceltd. I know right, Open Fire is my 3rd favorite song from the band and Barbarian is my 2nd favorite. Mudslide is really fun as well.
This is one of those episodes of Tastes Like Music where I wish I had heard the albums. They sound appealing. Seems I should start at the debut.
You three have such a great ability to make interesting comments and insight about bands that I know very little about, and even have won me over as a fan to the Byrds and Fleetwood Mac. Having said that, the Darkness stretches this theory. Should I care about their music? Still being patient for other artists/groups I would enjoy more, Crowded House, Elvis Costello, the Hollies, Lloyd Cole, Alan Parsons Project, Go Betweens, Paul Kelly, Deep Purple, Teenage Fanclub (reboot), Barenaked Ladies, Bangles, Fountains of Wayne, Asia, Alison Krauss, and even the divisive Paul McCartney.
1. Easter is Cancelled, 2. Last of our Kind, 3. Permission to Land, 4. One way ticket..., 5. Motor Heart, 6. Pinewood Smiles, 7. Hot Cakes
finnally someone who likes easter is cancelled
@@portalboy3187 Love it.... Motor Heart would now be no 4 as well jumping one way ticket!!
can someone explain that is so good about perrmision to land and what is so bad about pinewood smile
Have you guys heard Biffy Clyro? That would be a great worst to best
I have not dived into the tom waits album pool!! What is his best albums? where do i start?? 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
His 70s stuff is way different from the 80s and beyond stuff, so almost a tale of two different artists. I think most people consider the Swordfishtrombones/Rain Dogs/Frank's Wild Years albums from the 80s his peak, but there's a fair amount of people who champion his 70s albums, which tend to be more singer-songwritery with some jazzy elements. The 80s and beyond is a weird mix of styles that's difficult to explain.
@@edgustafson thanx ! i will start with some from both sides of the 80s!
Great show. I was expecting you to slate them to be honest because their humour doesn’t seem to translate to the US. Having said that you get Blur & the Kinks so I shouldn’t have been surprised. No surprise I love the Darkness, I originally avoided them as I assumed they’d be a black metal band based on their name. My favourite albums are 4. Motorheart 3. One Way ticket…. 2. Last of our Kind 1. Permission. They’re great live btw.
I've have only heard the first album loved it alot
TH-cam's algorithm brought me here as I watch alot of Darkness's stuff. Nice reviews and thoughts on the album's. Being from the UK I was into them from the get go, they were everywhere in 2003. The first album has that sound because it was self funded so it was cheap.
This is my ranking
1. Last Of Our Kind. 5/5
2. Permission To Land. 4.5/5
3. Motorheart. 4/5
4. Easter Is Cancelled
5. One Way Ticket. 4/5
6. Hot Cakes 3.5/5
7. Pinewood Smile. 3/5
I usually align with Joe the most, but I'm only a few minutes in and he already put my favorite (Last Of Our Kind) in his last place! But that's why this is fun
I was lucky enough to see The Darkness at a festival here in Scotland, called T in the Park, when they just released Permission to Land. They were heading and the only downside is, they were on at the same time as Muse, as they released Absolution. The Darkness blew everyone away!
Got to admit, I don’t have a clue when it comes to The Darkness except for “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” and their Christmas song which was great, so I’m interested to hear what you guys have to say.
I’m also hyped as it’s the last 80’s year this week 😜
Cheers! 🇬🇧🇺🇸
I'm a fan since 04. They bank fookin kick ass!
All their albums are incredible, with their own flavour, still listen to them all 🤘
Respect for having LOOK at number 1 bro.
My list:
1. Permission to Land 4.5/5
2. Motorheart 4/5
3. Last of our Kind 4/5
4. Pinewood Smile 4/5
5. Easter is Canceled 3.5/5
6. One Way Ticket 3/5
7. Hot Cakes 2.5/5
I still think permission is the most consistent album. As an Australian I’m probably more concerned about a straight up raw sounding rock album with little care about lyrical content.
Great watch boys 🤘🏼
Tastes Like Music Riiiides Again!
No ranking but a few thoughts. Great video btw.
I agree with Kramzer that the guitar solos and riffs are very good. From what I understand, many classic rockers don't get The Darkness. I don't really get why. Musically much of it is basically a mix of some of the biggest bands but has its own personality. Lots of the guitar work is much more appealing to me than most rock beyond the old classic years.
The comedy? Many love "This Is Spinal Tap". Frank Zappa had a wicked sense of humor. David Lee Roth put in quite many non-traditional/funny lyrics in Van Halen and his solo work... So how come the distance to The Darkness can be so big for some?
Justin Hawkins voice? I can see that.. But Geddy Lee? Ozzy Osbourne? Bob Dylan? Lemmy Kilmister? Many famous front men/singers had a strange/odd voice.
The songs and albums can be a bit patchy. Which is the downfall of the album "Pinewood Smile". For me that album seems like they just did whatever they wanted and put one song after each other. No "concept" nor basic idea behind it. Just a big mash of anything and everything. I do like it for most part but it could have been better quite easily.
I would rank the lowest about a weak 3 / 5 and the best a solid 4 / 5. Not that big of a difference to me between them all. However. I do feel The Darkness is more of a song or live band than a album band. They could easily fill a rather long setlist and make every song count but on the albums there are always some that lacks the little extra.
Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End) did become rather famous. Later on they did a very different Christmas song called "I am Santa" (there is a video of it here on TH-cam) . Both comes recommended.
I hope you all have a great rest of your day!
Joe and Jason go after Kramzer for his #1 but hearing Kramzer talk about his #1 was very inspiring. Respect!
Because the Darkness sound like a parody of those things.
🤠 Simple: If you like The Darkness, you're probably fun to hang out with.
Love, The Jam, The Stranglers, The Waterboys…
7. Pinewood Smile ( 2017) : 2 stars
6. Easter is Cancelled ( 2019) : 2.5 stars
5. Motorheart ( 2021): 3 stars
4. Last of Our Kind ( 2015) : 3 stars
3. Hot Cakes ( 2012) : 3.5 stars
2. Permission to Land ( 2003) : 4 stars
1. One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back ( 2005) : 4.5 stars
Rate Your Music users apparently think the “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” cover is the best song on Hot Cakes with a 3.8 average, so I guess Kramzer is in the minority on that one. I just listened to it and it’s definitely not anywhere near worse than the Peter Gabriel cover that actively offended Thom Yorke at least.
I was familiar with the first two albums around the time they came out courtesy of my brother but haven’t listened to them in years. I would guess they’d still be in the low 3.5 or high 3 range for me respectively. I can see how some people would be really into them, and maybe I’d be too if I was a bit more of a fan of AC/DC, Queen, Def Leppard or whoever else they’re influenced by than I am. This was still a very enjoyable watch regardless of my not knowing any of their post 2005 albums.
Always good to see fellow Darkness fans. I think Motorheart is the strongest of their post-comeback albums and...I also think it's their best collection of bonus tracks.
I tend to disagree with Jason, but it was great to hear him trumpet Last of our Kind. There's a case to be made for that as the best Darkness album.
I think you mean kram - kram
@@TastesLikeMusic Right!
It's only right for Joe to steer the ship.
Say what you like, but Solid gold sounds amazing live
Opinions vary, but Motorheart apparently is #3 in everyone's hearts; never heard of this band; and I only checked out one song: That "universe has sent you here to die" one; really good production; they've got better equipment than just a laptop and a USB mic; it sounds like..Cheap Trick/ Iron Maiden sounding at first listen? Idk;.Going to check out Motorheart now, lol
Best band of the 21st century for me. Great albums apart from Pinewood Smile. Kramzer is pretty much spot on with his assessments although the debut is my favourite.
Lowestoft's finest! So proud that we share a hometown, hearing their music always reminds me of growing up there...
1. Permission To Land
2. Hot Cakes
3. Pinewood Smile
4. One Way Ticket To Hell And Back
5. Last Of Our Kind
6. Easter Is Cancelled
7. Motorheart
At first glance I thought the guy in the top left was an idiot putting permission to land #4 BUT I really like hot cakes and Easter is cancelled,so I like that he gives those respect. That being said permission to land is a no brainer for #1. The thing that annoys me about one way ticket is that if it’s a one way ticket it would just be to hell and not hell and back!
1. Last of our Kind
2. Easter is Canceled
3. Permission to Land
4. One Way Ticket
5. Hot Cakes
Where are the other two? Motorheart is great if you haven't listened yet
Yes!!!!!.... Next week: David Bowie
After that: Roxy Music, Tom Waits, Tears for Fears
Whew, you won't have to hear my boomer complaints for a while!
Graham Parker, Love, Marshall Crenshaw, Guided by Voices, Yardbirds, REM albums. If they can rank every member of the Byrds then even more fodder to be found in Yardbirds. They ignore Tears for Fears because they can't face the therapy they all need (joke).
Yeah!! Last of our kind is awesome! Funny how Joe said that the only song he loved, Mighty Wings is the only song I do not like that much.
Are you including Buddha of Suburbia, Toy, Gouster or the Tin Machine albums?
Buddha and toy. No Gouster or tin machines.
@@TastesLikeMusic so 27 total?
Yes
I'm doing the Tin Machine albums along with the Labyrinth soundtrack, bringing the total to a nice, neat and very cool 30 albums.
Great Rock N Roll bands like this are rare these days, so enjoy them whilst you can. Albums marked /10 and ranked with thoughts as listened as usual. Conclusion below.
7 Pinewood Smile (2017) 6.5/10 kudos for the honest funny in your face and spot on lyrics. But the album is oft lackluster for this great band over all especially 2nd half
6 Motorheart (2021) 8/10 excellent whole listen yes but needs more time as there dont seem to be the big can't stop smiling tracks I'm used to from the boys apart from the very outstanding closer🤔
5 One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back (2005) 8.5/10 excellent follow up. The only way was down after fab debut, but not far down! Mostly excellent record. A notable issue is the mix on Bald. Justin is too far back. The great subtle guitar work would still have worked if he was louder. Last 3 tracks are overly derivative slightly of Queen vocally but 2 are so fast and funny who cares....🤷♂️
4 Easter Is Cancelled (2019) 9.5/10 fantastic album that is full of that rare sweet romance with rock roll in every sense. So much so you could choke on it if you aren't careful. 🙅❤️🔥🎸
3 Hot Cakes (2012) 10/10 love this album. If you don't think it's that good then you can.....suck my c***🤣🤣....who else would put a lyric like that in the opening track!?!🤠 Great songs throughout. My top 3 are close.
2 Last of Our Kind (2015) 10/10 ❤️🔥🎸yet to have a huge cultural impact similar to debut but this + Hot Cakes are clearly as expertly realized song for song. Love it! Barbarians is my fave Darkness opener! Distinguishes itself from HC with its overall greater variety style wise. Been saying it about this band since LofOK came out - albums since debut sooooo overlooked and much needed on the scene to this day.🤟
1 Permission to Land (2003) 10/10🏆❤️🔥 I gave this album to my 12 year old sister....its the last time I saw her so it means a lot. I like to think she might like the album. Musically my only criticism is Stuck In A Rut as it is the first sign of average (even it's fine-still fun rockin song.) Clearly one of the best debuts in rock history. Every song almost is it's own high point imo. Deserving of its status as THE fun rockin dad rock hard, smile on your face with a tiny tear, genius album👍😎👨🎤.
Conclusion
Why dont the beautiful cry? I hear you all asking....maybe because they dont understand the deep rooted pain within...... dad rock!!!😂🎸So many great songs have the big D writ! I think we are only in the middle bit of the Age of Cheeky Chaps Shitting Our Gold from The Darkness....they have loads more to offer and should be thanked for bringing quality rock back to the collective popular music consciousness that was much needed back then and even more so now. The 'don't take yourself too seriously and have a good time (quite literally of course in one song everybody!🤠)' sound they often bring is still so refreshing because the music is also mostly great! Justin's voice remains iconic, distinctively far reaching without being annoying. Like all excellent bands they are also genuinely emotive when it suits them and their legacy is set to continue. Just the one minor blip in their discography for me so far. That's great going. Great legacy. Great fun. Great albums. Great band.❤️🔥😎
CONCRETE 😳
My list is nowhere near any of yours, nor anyone else's in the comments, it seems...
7. Hot Cakes
6. One Way Ticket
5. Pinewood Smile
4. Last of Our Kind
3. Motorheart
2. Easter Is Cancelled
1. Permission to Land
At 47:01, when Joe said that "One Way Ticket to Hell and Back" was "kind of a train wreck", how did no one make a reference to the album cover?
Yes, I've got dad jokes.
That was the joke! - Joe
@@TastesLikeMusic LOL, I'm slow on the uptake.
Jason needs to make a public apology for his blur video. They were the closest thing to the Beatles of the 90s. And Graham Coxon was hands down the most innovative pop guitarist of the 90s.
Poppycock!
@@TastesLikeMusic Apologize to Damon Albarn, Jason. He writes his own songs, unlike Three Dog Night.
wow...didn't see this one comin'
There’s a subliminal message in this video to listen to Korn
Every video
Oh dear… thank you for confirming my fear for the people
Kram’s playing a double game :)
So Is Easter Is Cancelled anti-religion or irreverent in any way? If so I may have to check it out. What if anything does it have to say about Easter?
It was prophetic, released in the fall of 2019.
It does have Justin on the crucifix as Jesus flexing his muscles and breaking the cross on the cover
I couldn't even get through 1, what I heard I hated. So...back to asking for Aimee Mann. Day 22.1
I listened to their first 3 albums, multiple times each. I didn't hate them but I also didn't find more than 1 or 2 songs worth revisiting. With Bowie & Roxy Music coming down the pipe I couldn't justify spending any more time on The Darkness, so I moved on.
You see, I just hated the dudes voice
It would be fun if there was a mechanism for viewers to rate the artist of the week...I think it would be interesting to see if it correlates with the general tone of the comments. I may be wrong but after reading all the comments here, I get the sense that there were never as many outright negative about a band in general
Interesting idea.
@@TastesLikeMusic Make it So #1 (Yes, Star Trek geekiness coming out)
King Gizzzzzzz
My guess is that David Gray has more of a following in the US than The Darkness.
Check out last night's NBC News with Lester Holt & get a laugh at the reaction to Neil Young , Joni & Nils pulling their catalogs from Spotify. As a bonus you can see me get trolled on both of my comments. Troll my troll if you wish 🤞
Don’t even JOKE, Mr. Kramzer, about Bob Dylan not being in the coming TLM HOF! Still want Joe to join in the re-master of the Master’s catalogue. Puts the E in essential. JPE
You know he's in mine - kram
I just know that one song of theirs..... oh well, gives me time to work on my Tom Waits list!
Tastes Like Music And Comedy
My son has a few thoughts, with a little help from me, since I told him i wanted to sit this out and he misbehaved earlier and i thought this would be a good time for some minor discipline:
John says " This band is good but a joke. Sounds like a hard rocking Tenacious D, Robert Plant or Geddy Lee. Show-off screechy guitar hurts my ears daddy. I like "Thing called love". "Can I go out to play now?" Me: "Sure talent boy , you made Dad proud".
Good lad. Maybe a little bit harsh. - Joe
@@TastesLikeMusic The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I feed him The Tenacious D to Geddy Lee part. I tried to listen but not really the kind of band I like - not a heavy metal guy. How about the greatest pop and rock songwriting teams or Duos or Duets? Roxy Music top 10 singles. I will join when you do Graham Parker week for sure.
Do XTC
I don't mind at least a few songs, but over all I can't listen to them all that much. I'd rather listen to Queen, or even Tool, whom I would love you to feature, either on your own a cord or, through Patreon pics.
I was only familiar with the single...I hated it...couldnt get over his voice...I can appreciate the range but...no...I watched the whole video...(well done)...so I thought I'd give Sarah oh Sarah a shot....got halfway through...same result...maybe iwill try another cut....something not so over the top....or...maybe not..lol...
They don’t do not-over-the-top.
Tom Waits is going to be EPIC
The problem with the band is the lack of irony, which is what you need if your sources are not the great hard rock icons of the 70s but the already derivative second or third tier bands of the late 70s/early 80s era. If you are the copy of a copy you need to bring a bit of extra colour with you.
Yes, he can shriek higher than...Janis Joplin (we need a woman here, right) who knew it would be enervating if she did - so Yoko Ono, who used it as a weapon disguised as art - or was that the other way round?
Suzi Quatro with recycled guitar riffs? Twisted Sister without fun? Or Steve Vai who once again forgot that Zappa had intended this as a heavy metal parody. I only ever listened to 5 albums over the years and did not feel inspired to check the others just for completeness.
5. One Way Ticket 1,5 (On the debut they copied the copy that other band's already were. Here they went even further and just copied themselves + Queen. Even with Roy Thomas Baker to throw everything he knows into the boil, hot water is not soup.)
4. Motorheart 2,0 (I had long dismissed this mediocre band but was infected by the Listographer's enthusiasm about this 2021 release to check it out...same as it ever was.)
3. Permission To Land 2,5 (My CD - wherever I bought it - had that parental advisory sticker on it. Normally a good sign for interesting content - but I could not find out why it was on this one, maybe the cover picture? Recycled Quiet Riot poppyfied.)
2. Last of Our Kind 2,5 (Not all Thin Lizzy tunes are great, they could sometimes produce some pretty mediocre hard rock poses. Those are the blueprint for this album. But Darkness do what they do with uncompromising energy and enthusiasm and nearly win you over with it, just like Ragnar nearly had won England. Sadly the album title was wrong...they were not the last of their kind to put out albums like this.)
1. Hot Cakes 3,0 (The voice is still too much for a whole album and the song writing is just average. This would have been a 3 star effort at the time they mimic and it is the same at the time of release. There is no evidence that they will ever get better than this.)
my opinion(gonna get a lot of hate for this)
7.permission(lol)
6.hot cakes
5.motorheart
4.one way ticket
3.last of our kind
2.pinewood
1.easter
(no this is not in reverse)
Booooo. - Joe
I'm in the darkness on this one...bring back the classics (I know...OK Boomer!). I just listened to ten seconds and am glad I missed out. If you're going to hit early 2000s, do Phoenix or Doves or Athlete. How did this make the cut?
Sorry...that was harsh..I still love you guys..I know I don't represent everyone but I can't help keeping my comments real to myself..it's not easy to please everyone!
Darkness are a little more popular than them I think. - Joe
@@TastesLikeMusic I'll bet more people know Phoenix...if only for their two huge hits from around 2009..maybe not Doves or Athlete (although that is the order from worst to best)
@@TastesLikeMusic Phoenix had a Hot 100 charting song, which the Darkness did not.