Album review: The Darkness - Hot Cakes

The Darkness, Hot Cakes. Photo / Supplied

Back in 2003 this British quartet looked and sounded like they were from another time and place - Norfolk by way of Sunset Strip perhaps - and there was nothing quite like the outrageous pomp 'n' roll of songs like I Believe In A Thing Called Love and Get Your Hands Off My Woman.

Led by flamboyant, falsetto-shrieking showman Justin Hawkins, their debut Permission To Land was a riotous hoot of rock 'n' roll mayhem, lewd lyrics and bravado, which made a fun and thrilling antidote to an often stuffy music scene.

But during the recording of 2005 follow-up, One Way Ticket To Hell ... And Back the band hit problems.

Bass player Frankie Poullain left, the resulting album lacked the rock-god glory and cheekiness of the first, and Hawkins checked into rehab and took leave from the band.

But now the original band have reunited and come up with a worthy follow-up to Permission To Land.

While there is nothing as catchy as Woman, opener Every Inch of You is about deep appreciation for playing rock 'n' roll and scoring chicks for a living, Nothin's Gonna Stop Us finds their trademark mix of the Cars, Queen and Van Halen coming together in perfect harmony, and Everybody Have A Good Time is a breezy AC/DC-meets-Queen rocker.

So although they may not be at their loin-warming best, the Darkness are back and in fine form.

Stars: 3/5
Verdict: Return of the over-the-top rockers.
Buy this album here.

- TimeOut