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Bohemian Darkness
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2006
Jan 03
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Comments
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When a band has a good debut album, it is always hard to have a good second album. When you start at the top there is only one way to go. But in defense, I say you can’t make an overall critique of the work until you have three albums - just to get an average.
All that being said, The Darkness’ recent album “One way ticket to Hell…and back” is not the classic hair rock album their first album is. Somewhere Freddy Mercury has his hand to his forehead going, “ah geez”, as the influence of Queen in “One way ticket” is a little overpowering. Not that having shades of Queen is bad, but when it is the common thread throughout the album, I might as well go get Queen.
The Darkness singer has the range of the late Mercury, but just isn’t as elegant, pristine delivery of lyrics. The guitars are over-produced in true Queen fashion, but because they are just not as edgy and hard, the effect comes out feeling weak. And compared to the previous album, which was fat guitar heavy, this comes off just shy of par. Oh, and it comes with gratuitous helpings the Bohemian Rhapsody “Galileo” reverb in every song.
However, the tone of the entire new album is a little lighter than the first record. At least the album as a whole is consistent. Their previous album was a good solid record with 8 out of 10 tracks worth replays. So far, my first impressions of “One way ticket” garner the album a mere 3 (maybe 4) good tracks that are a) radio worthy, and b) replay worthy. These, in no particular order, “One way ticket”, “Hazel Eyes”, “Knockers”, and “Is it just me?”.
But even with their last album, “Permission to Land”, with good hits, few got good radio rotation and thus The Darkness is apparently destined to remain under the radar, at least here in America. In the United Kingdom, it’s another story.
The iTunes gift card I got for Christmas got me the album, so I can’t complain too much about the cost. But had it been straight from my wallet I might be a wee disappointed in “One way ticket”. But, both this album and “Permission to Land” fit onto on CD, so I can listen to either at anytime without any slow downs.