Whew. The urge to pepper any Darkness reviews with over-the-top metaphors and hype-laden wordbombs is nigh-overwhelming. Resist, I shall, other than to tell that the press reports are correct: this band, an outragously glammy, hammy cross between AC/DC and Queen (with touches of Led Zep and Thin Lizzy), shamelessly tweaks the inner stadium rocker in you, so resist at your own peril.
Godfather uncorks another superb broadcast set of tuneage, the main program here coming from a 45-minute MTV performance in front of a select studio audience in Milan. The vibe is slightly subdued compared to what’s usually reported as a riotous atmosphere that prevails at Darkness shows but the sound quality is perfect. Then you get a stray earlier XFM recording, “How Dare You Call This Love” (originally a B-side that didn’t turn up on the chart-topping Permission To Land album), which was part of a four-song session the band recorded for the British radio station. (Note that you can hear the entire set archived online at www.xfm.co.uk/Article.asp?id=12836, along with many, many other sessions from a huge array of contemporary groups.) Finally there’s a five-song BBC session that includes, improbably enough, a glammed- and tarted-up cover of Radiohead’s “Street Spirit.” Tell ya what, if Radiohead put on half the loony show that the Darkness does, those dudes would definitely ramp up the after-show hot chick action. Like I said – whew.
Per Godfather tradition you get an outstanding tri-fold wallet-style package liberally decorated with smartly-laid out color photos of the band. The cover sleeve design is a nod to the Darkness’ own album sleeve. The disc comes in its own cello-lined paper sleeve as well. -- OSWALD
