All The Darkness do is write bangers. This is one of my favorite hard rock albums of all-time for the simple reason that it is fun as hell and has no interest in pretending to be anything otherwise. Modern rock music in general has the unfortunate malaise of sometimes being a little too self-important, and Permission to Land throws all that shit out the window to just simply have a good time. And what a damn good time it is.
Brothers Justin Hawkins (lead vocals, guitar) and Dan Hawkins (lead guitar) are the heartbeat of this album. Hawkins’ over the top and operatic soprano is a throwback to all of the wonderful excess that makes rock-and-roll so great, with lyrical themes cut directly from 80’s glam metal and delivered with tongue firmly planted in cheek. And goddamn can you say enough about the guitars– blistering solos, tight rhythm sections overdriven to perfection, and glittering clean delays when the boys wanna take a moment to tug on the ol’ heartstrings a little bit.
It’s rare to find a band that can expertly walk the fine-line between artistic integrity and playful parody. Permission to Land by The Darkness doesn’t just walk that line. It struts it with a fervent flair.
Standout Songs: “Growing on Me”, “Love Is Only a Feeling”, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”, “Holding My Own”
