The Darkness – Dreams On Toast

What does it sound like?:

Justin Hawkins loves rock’n’roll, but returns are diminishing. On “Walking Through Fire” he points out “we never stopped making hit albums, it’s just that no one buys them anymore” and “don’t even think my mum bought the last one”. He says he’s “under the moon”, but nonetheless this album is awash with the kind of enthusiasm few bands can muster 8 albums in.

They haven’t forsaken their hard rocking roots, but after the initial thrash of “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy” (where celebration and parody shake hands) and “I Hate Myself” (a vintage Quo LP played at 45 rpm) there’s a pop vibe that is one long curtsey to Queen whilst dressed as Angus Young’s schoolboy. The double track guitar on “The Longest Kiss” is Brian May all day, (someone Justin H has often cited as the reason he first picked up a guitar), and the band’s love of word play is unabated.

The opening track rhymes “cowboy” with “Tolstoy” (as well as “bok choy”) whilst “Hot On My Tail” seems to be a toe tapping sing-a-long that explains how a romantic anniversary was ruined by intestinal turbulence. “Cold Hearted Woman” is not just a simple country tinged ditty, but the first song in a very long time that actually made me laugh out loud, repeatedly setting up and then snatching away a number of potty mouthed payoffs.

Across a compact 35 minutes or so (only 1 song breaches 4 minutes), The Darkness dabble in a variety of genres, all underpinned by brother Dan’s punchy guitar work. Rock doesn’t have to be serious and self-awareness is a valuable but scarce commodity in the music business. The Darkness have always been in on the joke. Justin Hawkins is master of the knowing wink to camera and his sense of the ridiculous is undiminished.

“Mortal Dread” is top drawer metal pop, with a chorus that is guaranteed to be audience participation gold. Elbows come out for the punk infused “The Battle For Gadget Land” whilst closer “Weekend In Rome” changes gears, a cinematic ballad with spoken word voice over from drummer Rufus Taylor. Justin channels his very best Freddie, a full orchestra is deployed and it’s the only track that is played straight end to end, and over too quick.

In an era when playlists and single track streams predominate, The Darkness have assembled an album that I’ve played over and over. Hopefully Mrs Hawkins will buy this one.

What does it all *mean*?

There’s plenty of life in the old spandex jumpsuit yet.

Goes well with…

A sense of humour

Release Date:

March 28th

Might suit people who like…

A good time

6