{"id":9582,"date":"2015-06-02T13:48:19","date_gmt":"2015-06-02T13:48:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/album-review-the-darkness-last-of-our-kind\/"},"modified":"2015-06-02T13:48:19","modified_gmt":"2015-06-02T13:48:19","slug":"album-review-the-darkness-last-of-our-kind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/album-review-the-darkness-last-of-our-kind\/","title":{"rendered":"Album Review:\u00a0The Darkness –\u00a0Last Of Our Kind"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"Driven, dominating and definitive, The Darkness<\/strong> ultimately prove to be the \u2018Last Of Our Kind\u2019<\/em>.<\/figure>\n

Once upon a time, The Darkness<\/strong> reigned supreme over the glam rock revival of the noughties, torch-bearers of the glittering catsuit resurgence. One failed Christmas chart-topper challenge, a turbulent split, the absence of bassist Frankie Poullain and three drummer changes later, any other band would call it quits. Admitting defeat has never been their modus operandi, as the Lowestoft quartet return for their fourth studio journey with Emily Dolan Davies on drums. Having recently announced her departure, however, Davies\u2019 session among their number spans only the recording and initial promotion of this record, while Rufus Taylor, the son of Roger Taylor, continues their tribute to Queen, the driving force behind their existence.<\/p>\n

<\/figure>\n

Punchy opener \u2018Barbarian\u2019<\/em> skilfully leads the charge into the emphatic, riff-driven rock they know best. Maintaining Dan Hawkins\u2019 Queen-inspired fretwork, \u2018Open Fire\u2019<\/em> simultaneously introduces a down-to-earth tone to Justin Hawkins’ traditionally high-pitched vocals.<\/p>\n

Denouncing the classic rock revivals that refuse to take their craft as seriously as The Darkness<\/strong>, the title track reflects that \u201cwe are the last of our kind.“<\/em> Amidst the wealth of parody-laden, spandex-donning showmen, frontman Justin demonstrates his consummate versatility that remains forefront of the band\u2019s consistent progression. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the end, the universe has brought you here to die,\u201d<\/em> claims \u2018Mighty Wings\u2019<\/em>, an existential far cry from the immature lyrical content of \u2018Get Your Hands Off My Woman\u2019 and \u2018Giving Up\u2019. Bearing a show-stopping solo to accompany a true 1980s synth vibe, this rousing epic characterises their regeneration in all its multi-faceted glory.<\/p>\n

As sassy and confident as they come, the quirky \u2018Mudslide\u2019<\/em> guides into \u2018Sarah O Sarah\u2019<\/em>, a lingering ode to a love reminiscent of \u2018Hazel Eyes\u2019. Continuing the reflective legacy of \u2018Seemed Like A Good Idea\u2019, the sultry tones of \u2018Roaring Waters\u2019<\/em> stand shoulder to shoulder with \u2018Wheels Of The Machine\u2019<\/em>, a contemplative ode to days gone by. The Darkness<\/strong> have blazed a trail through all of classic rock\u2019s fond traditions, maturing to accommodate the years of bitter experience.<\/p>\n

Showcasing Justin\u2019s indomitable vocal range, \u2018Hammer And Tongs\u2019<\/em> bursts through as bold and contagious as only they know how. Lighter-waving anthem \u2018Conquerors\u2019<\/em> presents a fitting curtain call for a record that\u2019s seen the quartet evolve beyond expectation, while steadfastly maintaining the appeal that garnered their popularity and respect in the first place.<\/p>\n

\u2018Last Of Our Kind\u2019<\/em> is the brainchild of a tumultuous period for the classic rockers. A defiant refusal to be pigeon-holed by their gimmicks, The Darkness<\/strong> continue to mature and compel long after the critics assumed they would fall.<\/p>\n

5\/5<\/p>\n

\u2019Last Of Our Kind\u2019<\/em> by The Darkness<\/strong> is out now on Kobalt<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Darkness<\/strong> links:
\nWebsite<\/a>|Facebook<\/a>|Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n

Words by Ali Cooper (@AliZombie_<\/a>)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Driven, dominating and definitive, The Darkness ultimately prove to be the \u2018Last Of Our Kind\u2019. Once upon a time, The Darkness reigned supreme over the glam rock revival of the noughties, torch-bearers of the glittering catsuit resurgence. One failed Christmas chart-topper challenge, a turbulent split, the absence of bassist Frankie Poullain and three drummer changes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14240,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[5616,5615,398],"class_list":["post-9582","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-album-reviews","tag-kobalt","tag-last-of-our-kind","tag-the-darkness"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAlbum Review:\u00a0The Darkness -\u00a0Last Of Our Kind - Already Heard Staging<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Driven, dominating and definitive, The Darkness ultimately prove to be the \u2018Last Of Our Kind\u2019.Once upon a time, The Darkness reigned supreme over the glam\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Album Review:\u00a0The Darkness -\u00a0Last Of Our Kind - 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