The Darkness, we all remember their breakthough hit in 2003. The not quite a parody yet not quite serious enough “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.” It was catchy, cheeky and fun. However, when their sophomore album came out two years later their one hit wonder was quickly forgotten and “One Way Ticket to Hell…and Back” bombed. The Darkness disappeared for the better part of a decade. Then in 2012 they returned with the album “Hot Cakes.” It did well enough for their cult following that had developed over the years. However, nothing could prepare the rock world for what would come next. In 2015, The Darkness released a body of work that would re-define the band for perhaps the rest of their career. “Last of our Kind” was at first, I thought, another typical album from The Darkness. Like their previous work I thought I’d sample the songs on I-tunes just to see and then move on with my life. Except I was floored. I just can’t believe the song quality here. It as if The Darkness talked to all of their homeland heroes from the past: The Cult, Judas Priest, Def Leppard. As well as some from across the pond: Cheap Trick, Aerosmith, Motley Crue. They molded the similar yet distinct sounds into what I would consider a masterpiece. Is their anything really original on the album? Not particularly, but The Darkness use it to their advantage to come up with something that, in 2015, seems completely fresh. However, the most important element of the music is simply that it is strong. The songs are strong, the riffs are memorable, the lyrics are no longer some sort of middle ground between serious and parody. If there are no new bands that follow in The Darkness’ footsteps, they truly are the last of their kind.
The Darkness – From one hit parody wonders to serious heavy rock contenders
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