The Darkness takes a trip “to Hell … and Back.”
Progression for The Darkness is going further back in time. The group’s first album, “Permission to Land,” was a valiant return to ’80’s hair metal. On “One Way Ticket to Hell…and Back,” they bring back the best of ’70’s arena rock – think Queen, Foreigner, Boston, etc.
The copious guitar solos are somewhat missing from “One Way Ticket,” but there are still plenty of opportunities to pull out the air guitar and wail. However, the record is more balanced, with a greater variety of songs and influences.
Instrumentation is also varied. In one song there is a Hammond electric organ and in another you can hear a sitar, which gives the song a Middle Eastern feel. In addition to instrumentation, the tone is also different. The guitarists don’t totally do away with the traditional, Marshall Stack at volume ten, arena rock tone, but they do employ a variety of effects and a little more acoustic guitar.
Listening to the album, you especially notice the influence of Queen, which can be heard most clearly on the last two tracks. This influences shows through in the use of more four-part harmony, reminiscent of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
While the music may revolutionize your life, the lyrics will not. Although the lyrics are fun and the hooks are catchy, I wouldn’t look much deeper than the overall theme of redemption suggested in the album title. After all, there is a song about male pattern baldness.
Rock ‘n’ roll is supposed to be fun and this album certainly accomplishes that. Starting with the first song, “One Way Ticket” – which is also the first single – the whole album puts a smile on your face. Even the slower songs are a good listen.
I would recommend “One Way Ticket to Hell…and Back” to everyone. Buy it for your parents for Christmas; they will love you for it. Anyone can enjoy this album. So pick it up, find “That 70’s Show” on TV and rock out.
David Baker is a music critic for the Utah Statesman. Comments can be sent to him at
davidbaker@cc.usu.edu.