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Album Details

• Artist: The Darkness
• Album: One Way Ticket To Hell...And Back!
• Label: Atlantic
• Year of Release: 2005
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2006-01-12

The Darkness is one of my many guilty pleasures. Although I never reviewed it, Permission To Land was one of my favorite albums back in 2003. It was one of those unabashed slices of cock-rock with the flair of Queen and the balls of Judas Priest. There was something about Justin Hawkins' vocals that just did it for me (and obviously others as well). Being born in the 70s I more or less missed out on the genre's music and was forced to listen to the pop of the 80s. Well, Justin and his gang of leotard wearing misfits are back with their follow up to Permission and have called it One Way Ticket To Hell...And Back! and it is every bit as good as it's predecessor. The album kicks off with the title track, one of the stronger ones on the album. Oh yeah, that is indeed a pan flute intro as well. Nothing shocking here. There is much shine on this album with production being a major priority. There are some quieter songs like the power ballad "Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time" (My god, did I just use 'power ballad' in a review?). But, the majority of the songs rock like there's no tomorrow (and we are stuck in the hair metal days). And then there is some Scottish influence at play on "Hazel Eyes". Quite possibly the best rip off of Big Country in years, and yes that is a bagpipe. I can't say I am a big fan of "Bald". The latter half of the album is a little weaker. While this album will most likely turn into a closet liking for me again, I can't say that I will come back often. Damn, I wish I had a falsetto like Hawkins though, very Dio.

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