IN REVIEW
THE DARKNESS
PERMISSION TO LAND... AGAIN
(20TH ANNIVERSARY)
Reviewer - David Weddle
Our Rating - 5 Fork in L's out of 5
Twenty years ago, in July 2003, a little known rock band formed in Lowestoft just three short years earlier, was just about to make their mark on the world with the release of their debut album, 'Permission to Land'.
The Darkness, at the time comprised of brothers Justin and Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain and Ed Graham, who had been working hard to build a loyal following on their local music scene, at one point taking up a regular residency spot at one venue that saw their audience grow steadily. In 2003, that fanbase grew massively, thanks to their huge hit single from the album 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love', a track that sky-rocketed them to fame and head first into a whirlwind of success and critical acclaim.
An unexpected success to some, maybe, but not to the lucky ones who watched them grow from humble beginnings to rock stardom. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the release of the original, The Darkness has reissued the album and crammed in a bumper collection of rare cuts, early demos, and live performances so that fans can relive the soundtrack to their early 00's. The release, 'Permission To Land... Again (20th Anniversary Edition), includes the original album, which, needless to say, is just as good today as it was back in 2003.
As someone who has listened to The Darkness since 2003 and has been lucky enough to see them perform live several times, the most intriguing part of the release for me is the demo versions that have been included.
With previously unreleased versions of 'Black Shuck' and 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love' nestled alongside the likes of 'Out of My Hands' and 'Nothin's Gonna Stop Us', this addition is monumentally brilliant. There is something incredibly exciting about listening to demos of tracks that you know so well. Hearing them while they are still going through the creative process is pretty special. The demos are definitely not to be missed.
That sounds like I've covered pretty much everything, right? .......Wrong!!! Seriously, this is the gift that keeps on giving. A whole portion of the reissue is dedicated to the band's singles, B-sides, and non-album tracks. It features the obvious songs like 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love' and 'Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)' as well as the clean and explicit versions of 'Get Your Hands Off My Woman', alongside golden nuggets like 'Curse Of The Tollund Man', a reminder, if one was needed, of just how diverse The Darkness' ouvre actually is.
The album is rereleased in several formats: a 5-LP set, a 2-CD edition, a 4-CD + DVD edition, and a digital release. Hang on a tick, 5 LP? 4 CD? But I've only talked about a couple of chapters from this collection; what gives? Well, actually, who gives? That being The Darkness, they have only gone and given you their 2003 live performances from Knebworth and The Astoria, and get this, the DVD bundle includes their 2004 Wembley gig! That's one huge package!
I started this review by harping on about the album taking you back to the early 00's, but seriously, this is a truly timeless classic. The album topped the charts, going multi-platinum and winning numerous awards, yet I remember that at the time it was released, some of the rock enthusiasts I knew considered The Darkness to be comedy rock and viewed them with an air of snobbery. But strip back the videos, the hair and awesome catsuits, and the music definitely stands on its own two feet, and the fact that the songs on 'Permission to Land' are still being played to this day is a testament to the song-writing and musicianship of The Darkness.
It is undoubtedly an album that deserves to be celebrated and held up as a shining example to all aspiring rock bands out there wondering if they should change their sound to fit in with expected norms. The answer 'Permission to Land' gives to that question is, Be unique, be you, and above all, ROCK!!!!!
To celebrate the release, The Darkness is touring the UK and Ireland throughout December. Grab your tickets here: PRE-ORDER
You can pre-order your copy of 'Permission to Land... Again (20th Anniversary) here: BUY TICKETS
The Darkness, at the time comprised of brothers Justin and Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain and Ed Graham, who had been working hard to build a loyal following on their local music scene, at one point taking up a regular residency spot at one venue that saw their audience grow steadily. In 2003, that fanbase grew massively, thanks to their huge hit single from the album 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love', a track that sky-rocketed them to fame and head first into a whirlwind of success and critical acclaim.
An unexpected success to some, maybe, but not to the lucky ones who watched them grow from humble beginnings to rock stardom. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the release of the original, The Darkness has reissued the album and crammed in a bumper collection of rare cuts, early demos, and live performances so that fans can relive the soundtrack to their early 00's. The release, 'Permission To Land... Again (20th Anniversary Edition), includes the original album, which, needless to say, is just as good today as it was back in 2003.
As someone who has listened to The Darkness since 2003 and has been lucky enough to see them perform live several times, the most intriguing part of the release for me is the demo versions that have been included.
With previously unreleased versions of 'Black Shuck' and 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love' nestled alongside the likes of 'Out of My Hands' and 'Nothin's Gonna Stop Us', this addition is monumentally brilliant. There is something incredibly exciting about listening to demos of tracks that you know so well. Hearing them while they are still going through the creative process is pretty special. The demos are definitely not to be missed.
That sounds like I've covered pretty much everything, right? .......Wrong!!! Seriously, this is the gift that keeps on giving. A whole portion of the reissue is dedicated to the band's singles, B-sides, and non-album tracks. It features the obvious songs like 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love' and 'Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)' as well as the clean and explicit versions of 'Get Your Hands Off My Woman', alongside golden nuggets like 'Curse Of The Tollund Man', a reminder, if one was needed, of just how diverse The Darkness' ouvre actually is.
The album is rereleased in several formats: a 5-LP set, a 2-CD edition, a 4-CD + DVD edition, and a digital release. Hang on a tick, 5 LP? 4 CD? But I've only talked about a couple of chapters from this collection; what gives? Well, actually, who gives? That being The Darkness, they have only gone and given you their 2003 live performances from Knebworth and The Astoria, and get this, the DVD bundle includes their 2004 Wembley gig! That's one huge package!
I started this review by harping on about the album taking you back to the early 00's, but seriously, this is a truly timeless classic. The album topped the charts, going multi-platinum and winning numerous awards, yet I remember that at the time it was released, some of the rock enthusiasts I knew considered The Darkness to be comedy rock and viewed them with an air of snobbery. But strip back the videos, the hair and awesome catsuits, and the music definitely stands on its own two feet, and the fact that the songs on 'Permission to Land' are still being played to this day is a testament to the song-writing and musicianship of The Darkness.
It is undoubtedly an album that deserves to be celebrated and held up as a shining example to all aspiring rock bands out there wondering if they should change their sound to fit in with expected norms. The answer 'Permission to Land' gives to that question is, Be unique, be you, and above all, ROCK!!!!!
To celebrate the release, The Darkness is touring the UK and Ireland throughout December. Grab your tickets here: PRE-ORDER
You can pre-order your copy of 'Permission to Land... Again (20th Anniversary) here: BUY TICKETS
Full album formats are listed below:
THE DARKNESS
PERMISSION TO LAND... AGAIN (20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION)
5LP
LP1: Permission to Land (2003)
LP2: Studio bonus tracks (2001-2003)
LP3: Singles & B-Sides
LP4: Live at Knebworth (2003)
LP5: Live at The Astoria (2003)
2CD
CD1: Permission to Land + bonus tracks (demos)
CD2: Singles, B-Sides, and non-album tracks
4CD+DVD
CD1: Permission to Land + bonus tracks (demos)
CD2: Singles, B-Sides and non-album tracks
CD3: Live at Knebworth (2003) and Live at The Astoria (2003)
CD4: Live at Wembley (2004)
DVD: Promo videos, extra features, Live at Knebworth (2003), Live at The Astoria (2003)
DIGITAL
Permission to Land (2003)
Bonus tracks (demos)
Singles, B-sides and non-album tracks
Live at Knebworth (2003)
Live at The Astoria (2003)
Live at Wembley (2004)
THE DARKNESS
PERMISSION TO LAND... AGAIN (20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION)
5LP
LP1: Permission to Land (2003)
LP2: Studio bonus tracks (2001-2003)
LP3: Singles & B-Sides
LP4: Live at Knebworth (2003)
LP5: Live at The Astoria (2003)
2CD
CD1: Permission to Land + bonus tracks (demos)
CD2: Singles, B-Sides, and non-album tracks
4CD+DVD
CD1: Permission to Land + bonus tracks (demos)
CD2: Singles, B-Sides and non-album tracks
CD3: Live at Knebworth (2003) and Live at The Astoria (2003)
CD4: Live at Wembley (2004)
DVD: Promo videos, extra features, Live at Knebworth (2003), Live at The Astoria (2003)
DIGITAL
Permission to Land (2003)
Bonus tracks (demos)
Singles, B-sides and non-album tracks
Live at Knebworth (2003)
Live at The Astoria (2003)
Live at Wembley (2004)