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DISCID=79083c0a
DTITLE=The Darkness / One Way Ticket To Hell And Back
DYEAR=2005
DGENRE=Rock
TTITLE0=One Way Ticket
TTITLE1=Knockers
TTITLE2=Is It Just Me?
TTITLE3=Dinner Lady Arms
TTITLE4=Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time
TTITLE5=Hazel Eyes
TTITLE6=Bald
TTITLE7=Girlfriend
TTITLE8=English Country Garden
TTITLE9=Blind Man
EXTD=Originally Released November 29, 2005\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: From 
EXTD=the moment the pan flute fanfare on "One Way Ticket" kicks off On
EXTD=e Way Ticket to Hell...and Back, it's clear that the Darkness sti
EXTD=ll believes that more is more. If anything, the band believes tha
EXTD=t even more is even better: with the help of producer Roy Thomas 
EXTD=Baker, they make their second album incredibly glossy and expensi
EXTD=ve-sounding, with layers of sitars, marching drums, bagpipes, and
EXTD= tubular bells on top of their already-powerful guitars, drums, a
EXTD=nd keyboards (and, of course, Justin Hawkins' formidable falsetto
EXTD=). But while the band's excess succeeded on Permission to Land, i
EXTD=t loses some of its potency here: nothing on One Way Ticket to He
EXTD=ll...and Back is as immediate as "I Believe in a Thing Called Lov
EXTD=e." The band's debut celebrated and inflated the rock clichs of 
EXTD=sex, drugs, and partying; this album's best songs are about longt
EXTD=erm relationships, getting clean, and balding. The soaring power 
EXTD=ballad "Dinner Lady Arms" highlights the good-natured streak runn
EXTD=ing through a surprising amount of the Darkness' songs, while "On
EXTD=e Way Ticket" is an episode of Behind the Music, complete with co
EXTD=caine snorting, turned into a pop single. More than occasionally,
EXTD= though, One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back just sounds unremarkab
EXTD=le, despite the songs' elaborate sonics. Tracks like "Knockers" -
EXTD=- which should be a fool-proof Darkness song just based on its ti
EXTD=tle -- and "Girlfriend" sound like they were made from bits and p
EXTD=ieces of Permission to Land rejects, while overblown-yet-slight b
EXTD=allads such as "Blind Man" and "Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Ti
EXTD=me" sound too much like stale Meat Loaf. Still, there are moments
EXTD= when the Darkness still sounds like the smartest, dumbest band a
EXTD=round: "Is It Just Me?" has a chorus that rivals their best; the 
EXTD=flamboyant Celtic rocker "Hazel Eyes" shows off both Justin Hawki
EXTD=ns' over-the-top vocals and his brother Dan's over-the-top guitar
EXTD= licks; and lyrics like "English Country Garden"'s "I cherished y
EXTD=ou and you tolerated me" show that the wit that made their debut 
EXTD=so much fun isn't entirely missing on this album. Not so much a l
EXTD=etdown as a comedown, One Way Ticket to Hell...and Back just show
EXTD=s that the giddy highs of Permission to Land aren't so easy to ge
EXTD=t the second time around. -- Heather Phares\n \nAmazon.com Editor
EXTD=ial Review\nMore than 3.5 million debut records sold are enough t
EXTD=o stuff any band from Lowestoft, UK, with a follow up full of boh
EXTD=emian rhapsody, and with one-time Queen producer Roy Thomas Baker
EXTD= in tow, the Darkness has managed to parcel its sophomore effort 
EXTD=with notoriously ogress riffs and (Freddie) Mercurial bravado. Le
EXTD=d by audacious (and high-octave) singer Justin Hawkins, the fours
EXTD=ome channels the pompous arena rock of the late-seventies with fl
EXTD=aunting glam bands like Slade and T-Rex, parading mellotrons, flu
EXTD=gelhorns, sitars and saxophones into a bawdy mix already conquere
EXTD=d by double-barrel Gibsons and layered vocals. While the assembla
EXTD=ge of power ballads ("Dinner Lady Arms," "Hazel Eyes") hearkens b
EXTD=ack to mid-eighties MTv, the Darkness brightens the play list wit
EXTD=h hook-heavy rockers like "Is It Just Me," "Seemed Like a Good Id
EXTD=ea at the Time" and "Girlfriend." And with a sarcastic spirit and
EXTD= stretch-limo approach, there's no telling whom the band might ro
EXTD=und up to produce its third record. Is George Martin available? -
EXTD=-Scott Holter \n\nAmazon.com Product Description\nThe Darkness re
EXTD=turn with their second album, One Way Ticket To Hell...And Back. 
EXTD=Everything you've heard is true. All of it. The exhaustion and th
EXTD=e fear, the pressure, paranoia and pan pipes, the breakdowns and 
EXTD=break-ups, the sackings, sitar solos and endless studio sessions 
EXTD=and now ultimately-with this, their second album-the rebirth and 
EXTD=redemption of The Darkness. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nSo mu
EXTD=ch fun that you'll forget the ride, December 3, 2005\nReviewer: T
EXTD=imothy Brough "author and music buff" (Springfield, PA United Sta
EXTD=tes)\nGreat Sweet Queen, wipe the Slade clean. Justin Hawkins and
EXTD= his bandmates in The Darkness have given us an exuberant reminde
EXTD=r of why - when it was really great - the kind of arena rock that
EXTD= you loved in the 70's was fabulous. In fact, even the syrup-stri
EXTD=nged ballad ("Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time") isn't a total
EXTD= embarrassment. There's even a couple of hilarious one-offs to ma
EXTD=ke sure you never forget that The Darkness can make light. You ge
EXTD=t "Knockers" (complete with the most outrageously funny second ve
EXTD=rse I've heard in years) and the ode to that middle-age scourge o
EXTD=f crotch-rockers everywhere, "Bald." (Hey, is this a knock at Rus
EXTD=h? Remember "I Think I'm Going Bald"?) \n\nThat is the beauty of 
EXTD=The Darkness and "One Way Ticket To Hell...And Back." This is ser
EXTD=ious rock by a bunch of guys who have no problem NOT taking thems
EXTD=elves all that seriously. My main quibble with The Darkness remai
EXTD=ns that their voice is still not gone beyond a too-easily identif
EXTD=ied composite of other bands. You'll hear an awful lot of Sweet a
EXTD=nd Queen here, and dabs of Slade, Boston, AC/DC, Def Lep etc, and
EXTD= the final third of the CD loses momentum. But then, if you can m
EXTD=uster up the charisma of Freddie Mercury and the harmonies of the
EXTD= mighty Sweet, as The Darkness does on the title cut and "English
EXTD= Country Garden," I'm not going to be the one to tell you it's a 
EXTD=bad thing. Add to the mix Roy Thomas Baker's usual kitchen sink a
EXTD=pproach to the production (sitar, bagpipes, pan flute, tubular be
EXTD=lls and a pitch-perfect Brian May sound-alike opening guitar on "
EXTD=Hazel Eyes") and you can't help but get swept up in the ride. Bes
EXTD=ides, would any of the cocaine-cowboy bands of the seventies even
EXTD= dared to open their album with an anti-drug song AND the sounds 
EXTD=of line-snorting? \n\nBest Songs" "One Way Ticket," "Knockers," "
EXTD=Hazel Eyes."\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nKick-Ass!, December 5
EXTD=, 2005\nReviewer: Daniel Maltzman (Arlington, MA, USA) \nAh, the 
EXTD=dreaded second album, the album that will separate the one-album-
EXTD=wonders and the bands with staying power. Having to have your sec
EXTD=ond album be as good as your debut is hard enough, but it's going
EXTD= to be particularly challenging for The Darkness. With their ultr
EXTD=a falsetto singer and screeching guitars, The Darkness are a comp
EXTD=lete throwback to the pre-Nirvana 70/80s. Some view The Darkness 
EXTD=as a novelty act, and see the success of their debut album as an 
EXTD=anomaly. So needless to say, The Darkness have a lot riding on th
EXTD=eir second album, it's either going to make them or break them. \n
EXTD=\nMuch to the relief of the band and their fans, "One Way Ticket 
EXTD=to Hell...and Back" (2005) totally rocks. It has all the ingredie
EXTD=nts of a great old-school rock album: in-your-face head-banging a
EXTD=rena rockers with kick-ass solos, a touch of the theatrics, and a
EXTD= balled or two that isn't to too corny. The Darkness have avoided
EXTD= the pitfalls of many sophomore slumps which include re-making th
EXTD=e debut or letting creative aspirations run wild. "One Way Ticket
EXTD= to Hell...And Back" is cut, more or less, from the same cloth as
EXTD= the debut. It's the same retro style of AC/DC meets Queen, but R
EXTD=oy Thomas Baker's production has given the songs an authentic tou
EXTD=ch of the theatrical operatic aspirations from which the band fir
EXTD=st strived for on their debut. The mellotrons, flugelhorns, sitar
EXTD=s and saxophones added to the mix work well. At times, the channe
EXTD=ling of Queen and the added orchestration may be a little overdon
EXTD=e, but the album is still a thoroughly enjoyable listen. \n\nThe 
EXTD=critics have given "One Way Ticket to Hell and Back" fair reviews
EXTD=. But much like Queen, The Darkness could very well turn out to b
EXTD=e a band of the people, rather than the critics. Fans of the debu
EXTD=t, old-school metal, and Queen should be very pleased with this a
EXTD=lbum. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nNot bad, but disappointing 
EXTD=for 35 minutes of music, March 30, 2006\nReviewer: Robert VerBrug
EXTD=gen (USA)\nIf The Darkness avoids the sophomore slump on One Way 
EXTD=Ticket to Hell...And Back, they also steer clear of anything surp
EXTD=rising, incredible or new. There are a few Middle Eastern-tinged 
EXTD=sections scattered through the 35-minute disc, but otherwise it m
EXTD=ight as well have been called Permission to Land, Only Not as Goo
EXTD=d. \n\nThat's not to say One Way Ticket doesn't have its successe
EXTD=s. "Knockers," despite its juvenile title, is quite the song, as 
EXTD=is "Dinner Lady Arms." "Bald" blends raunchy riffs with hilarious
EXTD= lyrics to great effect. Several of the other tracks get a little
EXTD= better with each listen. \n\nThe problem is that, at 10 songs to
EXTD=tal, all of them should be that good, but they're not. "Blind Man
EXTD=" is a snooze, and "English Country Garden" never seems to click.
EXTD= "Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time" is a massive title for med
EXTD=iocre if listenable songwriting, while "Girlfriend" makes listene
EXTD=rs want to rip out the singer's testicles-in-a-vice-falsetto-craz
EXTD=ed vocal cords. Maybe next time, fans of the band will get more t
EXTD=han 20 minutes worth of top-notch material.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOME
EXTD=R REVIEW\nTheir Sophomore Jinx?. Not quite so!, February 17, 2006
EXTD=\nReviewer: Brit Pop/Rock Fan (Somewhere on Planet Earth)\nThere 
EXTD=are reasons that might lead some folks to believe that "ONE WAY T
EXTD=ICKET" is The Darkness' sophomore jinx. \n\nGone are the abandon 
EXTD=and frenzy with which this band delivered the songs in their 2003
EXTD='s debut album, "PERMISSION TO LAND". Gone is also the no frills,
EXTD= frequently raw production that made your speakers (or headphones
EXTD=) tremble, even if the volume wasn't cranked up to the max. In th
EXTD=e best tradition of classic eighties pop metal, the arrangements 
EXTD=and the overall performance in "ONE WAY TICKET" are stiffer and m
EXTD=ore technically proficient, and almost everything in this record 
EXTD=sounds tidy and well defined. Who is to blame for this?. Producer
EXTD= Roy Thomas Baker?. The Band?. Maybe both ... Ah, and the cusswor
EXTD=ds, so abundant in "PERMISSION TO LAND", are kept to a minimum in
EXTD= "ONE WAY TICKET". \n\nSo, are the members of The Darkness compro
EXTD=mising their integrity?. Is "ONE WAY TICKET" a mere eighties pop 
EXTD=metal remake?. Not quite so. As much as the title track might rem
EXTD=ind you of the glory days of Bon Jovi or Def Leppard, this song i
EXTD=s about getting "Snowblind" without feeling too much remorse abou
EXTD=t it, cusswords included (thank you, Ozzy Osbourne, for helping m
EXTD=e be concise and not too explicit). Overly explicit lyrics about 
EXTD=mind altering substances and cusswords hardly were typical charac
EXTD=teristics of eighties pop metal, a clear statement that, as much 
EXTD=as they might be inspired by 70's and 80's sources, these Brits a
EXTD=re 21st century chaps. \n\nReferences to Def Leppard and, especia
EXTD=lly, Queen, are more evident in "ONE WAY TICKET". Massive backing
EXTD= vocals a la Freddy Mercury are abundant on this record. The Dark
EXTD=ness even shamelessly apes these two bands on a few numbers. But 
EXTD=they do it in such a convincing way that they actually equal the 
EXTD=originals. "One Way Ticket" compels you to bang your head and sin
EXTD=g along, pretty much in the same way that Def Leppard's "Armagedd
EXTD=on It" did, and still does. In "Knockers", The Darkness successfu
EXTD=lly achieves what Def Leppard failed to accomplish in their 1996'
EXTD=s disc "SLANG": mixing pop metal with African American popular mu
EXTD=sic elements (namely, soulful vocals and funky piano solos). Ther
EXTD=e are no mind blowing numbers like "Black Shuck" or "Get Your Han
EXTD=ds off My Woman" in "ONE WAY TICKET". Instead, this time around T
EXTD=he Darkness delivers a true gem: "English Country Garden", their 
EXTD=fastest paced track to date, an enrapturing song which is pure cl
EXTD=assic Queen in top form. Period. And in "Dinner Lady Arms", the b
EXTD=and manages to combine Queen and Def Leppard inspired motifs into
EXTD= a cohesive whole. \n\nOf course, there are other classic inspira
EXTD=tion sources in this album. "Is It Just Me?" combines solid, AC/D
EXTD=C like riffs with chorus melodies reminiscent of "Growing on Me".
EXTD= Besides dope and sex, about half of "ONE WAY TICKET" tracks are 
EXTD=about love relationships gone wrong. It seems that somebody got h
EXTD=is heart broken. Fortunately, front man Justin Hawkins hasn't com
EXTD=pletely lost its dry sense of humor. Given the fact that the band
EXTD='s new bass player, Richie Edwards, is a bald man indeed, listene
EXTD=rs must take "Bald", another strong, AC/DC influenced song, for w
EXTD=hat it is: a biting, funny mockery on some men's exaggerated fear
EXTD= of losing their hair. \n\nThere are some exotic experiments that
EXTD= might seem out of place in this record, like the Peruvian inspir
EXTD=ed Pan Flute on "One Way Ticket", backed by new age keyboard atmo
EXTD=spherics, or the guitar solos in this track, which sound more lik
EXTD=e Sitar solos. But the good news is that these "exotic, odd exper
EXTD=iments" actually fit in. Besides, any band who whishes to be a lo
EXTD=ng enduring act must engage in "odd experiments". In fact, "odd e
EXTD=xperiments" allow The Darkness to break classic hard rock canons 
EXTD=like simple verse - chorus structures, in an astonishing way. Thi
EXTD=s is the case of "Hazel Eyes", another winner in "ONE WAY TICKET"
EXTD=. The song begins with far east inspired guitar solos, followed b
EXTD=y an acoustic guitar led verse section. But suddenly, before the 
EXTD=blasting electric chorus part comes, bagpipes and Celtic vocals, 
EXTD=delivered over marching drums, give the song an unexpected, delic
EXTD=ious twist. \n\n"Odd experiments" also prevent "Girlfriend", the 
EXTD=album's weakest track, from being a rehash of that icky thing cal
EXTD=led early eighties new wave. Horns, strings and disco like backin
EXTD=g vocals save this track from being a disaster. And the two balla
EXTD=ds in "ONE WAY TICKET", "Seemed Like a Good Idea At The Time", an
EXTD=d "Blind Man" (another Queen inspired number), are bearable, if a
EXTD= bit too syrupy. \n\nIn spite of its drawbacks, and given the dif
EXTD=ficult circumstances under which it was written and recorded, "ON
EXTD=E WAY TICKET" came out pretty well. They're still bringing fun ba
EXTD=ck to metal. But, guys, besides keeping up with "odd experiments"
EXTD= in your next record, please be so kind as to beat the hell out o
EXTD=f your drums, break as many guitar strings as possible, and hire 
EXTD=back the producer of "PERMISSION TO LAND".\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER
EXTD= REVIEW\nThey ain't kidding; this is a trip into hell, January 4,
EXTD= 2006\nReviewer: George Dionne (WWW.ROCK-IS-LIFE.COM)\n     \nThe
EXTD= Good \n"One Way Ticket" is lead by one of those simple riffs tha
EXTD=t tend to get caught in your head for days, similar to an AC/DC o
EXTD=ne. The chorus is quite catchy and vocalist Justin Hawkins doesn'
EXTD=t sound as irritating as it has in the past (don't get used to it
EXTD=). "Knockers" may or may be about what you're dirty mind is think
EXTD=ing about, but I highly doubt it. The lyrics are quite cryptic, b
EXTD=ut the bluesy rhythms and guitar licks are what make the track en
EXTD=joyable. "Dinner Lady Arms" recalls classic AOR arena rockers son
EXTD=ically. Hawkins throws in plenty of his trademark falsettos and l
EXTD=ays down one fiery solo. This, my friends, is when our trip into 
EXTD=hell begins... \n\nThe Bad \nTake everything you remember about T
EXTD=he Darkness and throw it out the window. On their first album the
EXTD= group tried to bring back the glitz and glam of eighties power p
EXTD=op and glam metal, on this album that take a few steps back; crea
EXTD=ting more of a seventies pop rock/eighties AOR sound (remember wh
EXTD=en KISS went disco?). The music itself sounds great, but the main
EXTD= problem remains to be vocalist Justin Hawkins. He just can't sin
EXTD=g. He has his moments here and there, but with each passing track
EXTD= he becomes more and more annoying. Maybe if he focused more on s
EXTD=inging in key, the songs would be a lot better. It also seems lik
EXTD=e there was not a lot of effort put into writing the material. \n
EXTD=\nThe Verdict \nThey ain't kidding; this is a trip into hell. The
EXTD= only way back is to hit the eject button.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER
EXTD= REVIEW\nMust Have Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time, December 
EXTD=31, 2005\nReviewer: Andrew A. Kramer (Reston, VA United States)\n
EXTD=The Darkness' first disk "Permission to Land" is a metal classic.
EXTD= In 2003 the music scene was devoid of any meaningful heavy metal
EXTD= bands. "Permission to Land", with its unabashedly loud riffs, se
EXTD=aring guitar solos, and incredible falsetto voice from the lead s
EXTD=inger was the best hard rock disc in decades. With one stroke of 
EXTD=the sword The Darkness were metal heroes. It would take two years
EXTD= before their follow-up effort and frustrating is the word that s
EXTD=prings to mind. On "One Way Ticket" there are glimpses of the ban
EXTD=d's brilliance but overall the disc sounds like another band is p
EXTD=erforming. \n\nThe Darkness have a new bass player and signed on 
EXTD=Roy Thomas Baker to produce the disc. Baker, best known for his w
EXTD=ork with Queen, injects bombast and frills into his work. Rock is
EXTD= not about bombast and frills, it is about "Permission to Land" a
EXTD=nd the Hawkins brothers forgot this. What possesed them to incorp
EXTD=orate strings, french horns, honky tonk piano, and opeartic choru
EXTD=ses is beyond comprehension. But as the title of one of their son
EXTD=gs declares it "Must Have Seemed a Good Idea at the Time". \n\n"O
EXTD=ne Way Ticket", the title track and first song begins with a minu
EXTD=te of chanting and flute. Yes a flute. The song finally kicks int
EXTD=o gear and is a reasonable effort, despite the sitar-rather-than 
EXTD=guitar solo. "Knockers" is the next track and has witty lyrics an
EXTD=d an engaging slide guitar riff. However right when the song shou
EXTD=ld have a kick ass solo we get a honky tonk piano and a 5 second 
EXTD=solo. The third song does rock but after that it's as if the band
EXTD= fell off the face of the earth. "Lady Dinner Arms" is an attempt
EXTD= at a metal ballad, but it's replete with violins. At this point 
EXTD=I began to realize that Justin Hawkins' vocals were getting overl
EXTD=y multi-tracked, hence his falsetto sounded much less entertainin
EXTD=g than on the first disc. The sixth song on the disc "Girl with t
EXTD=he Hazel Eyes" epitomizes the frustration of this effort. The ope
EXTD=ning 45 seconds is a bizarre, oriental sounding synthesizer bit. 
EXTD=It adds absolutely nothing, in fact its absolutely annoying. When
EXTD= the song starts to rock it becomes enjoyable. But again when a p
EXTD=rolonged solo is badly needed we get a 10 second tease. "Bald" is
EXTD= the only song on this disk that sounds like it came out of "Perm
EXTD=ission to Land". It's a masterpiece about the guilty pleasure of 
EXTD=a rival going bald. Just a flat out great song that's evidence th
EXTD=at the band still has substantial talent. The last three songs ar
EXTD=e embarassing. The Darkness sound like just another big hair band
EXTD=, albeit with strings galore. "Blind Man" has no guitars in it, j
EXTD=ust piano. I don't think it will inspire many fans to hold up a B
EXTD=ic lighter. \n\nMaybe I'm being a bit too hard on the band. But I
EXTD= listened to "Permission to Land" again yesterday and I almost wa
EXTD=nted to cry. It's sooooooooooooooo good. And so frucking hard roc
EXTD=k. Here's hoping The Darkness return to this planet. They will ha
EXTD=ve permission to land.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nWAS TED TEM
EXTD=PLEMAN BUSY?, December 5, 2005\nReviewer: Michael G. Stephens "So
EXTD=nic Mike" (Prescott, AZ)\nGod, I loved every bit of the 1ST LP. E
EXTD=verything. This new one, I dunno; Roy Baker Thomas making them ou
EXTD=t to be the next Queen? Production overkill and some really lame 
EXTD=songs make this 2nd effort a puzzle. I was sure the band would co
EXTD=me out with both guns blazing, but so much of this sounds like ou
EXTD=ttakes from Sheer Heart Attack. What gives? No one great song lik
EXTD=e the 1ST LP. Next time around fellows; ditch the producer, crank
EXTD= the guitars up to 11, get rid of queen crap, and friggin' rock l
EXTD=ike we know you can...please\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nSligh
EXTD=tly unfortunate direction, but good none-the-less..., November 30
EXTD=, 2005\nReviewer: Spooky (Chicago, IL)\nIt is interesting. That's
EXTD= for sure. In my opinion, they had a chance to go in either of tw
EXTD=o directions after their first album, and, unfortunately, it appe
EXTD=ars they took the one that I was least hoping, even though it is 
EXTD=still not a bad one necessarily. As others have mentioned, they c
EXTD=ould have either gone the route of AC/DC, Motley Crue (good Crue)
EXTD= style balls to the wall rock, or taken the Queen, ELO, more art 
EXTD=pop hard rock route. They took the ladder. \n\nThe new CD is defi
EXTD=nitely a step in the Queen, ELO direction and the production is u
EXTD=ltra-slick. This is both good and not so good. But, again, I was 
EXTD=hoping for a more dirty rock album. The songs themselves are good
EXTD= and are growing on me more and more as I listen multiple times. 
EXTD=The majority of tunes are just too over produced for my tastes ri
EXTD=ght off the bat. This is mainly because I was expecting and hopin
EXTD=g for the opposite. Again, the songs themselves are good for the 
EXTD=most part, some are really good, but some are overshadowed by the
EXTD= production and are the ones you can tell will totally rock live 
EXTD=when they are stripped down. I just wanted them to totally rock o
EXTD=n the CD. \n\nYou can tell that they were very conscious of the s
EXTD=ongs that were big hits from the first album in the writing and r
EXTD=ecording of this one because they stuck to that formula on most t
EXTD=racks. Unfortunately, the big hit songs from the first album were
EXTD= my least favorite (even though I did like them). I was just so h
EXTD=oping to get a hard, hard, dirty rock album this time around, eve
EXTD=n if it used a slick production. More songs like `Black Shuck' an
EXTD=d `Get Yer Hands Off My Woman'. And while the new CD does open pr
EXTD=etty strong with the first 3 tunes, they are just not as rocking 
EXTD=as they could have been due to the style of production. Then afte
EXTD=r the opening 3 songs they start the more experimental, poppy, ov
EXTD=erly produced tracks. Some are good, some are not, but nothing st
EXTD=rikes me as totally bad. \n\nOverall I like it and it really is g
EXTD=rowing on me, but my initial impression is a bit of a let down an
EXTD=d disappointment in the overall direction. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOME
EXTD=R REVIEW\nA smoother, more expensive ride, but with less power...
EXTD=, November 30, 2005\nReviewer: Somewhere in Texas (Planet Texas)\n
EXTD=When I read that the famous producer Roy Thomas Baker was set to 
EXTD=produce the Darkness second album I was excited. Who'd better to 
EXTD=produce a group that wanted to revive and update the sounds, styl
EXTD=e, musicianship and the fun of 70's/80's Classic Rock and Metal t
EXTD=han the guy who crafted such great albums as Queen's "Night at th
EXTD=e Opera"? While the choice of RTB was a very inspired one, his bi
EXTD=g production style leads to some mixed and unfocused results on t
EXTD=heir second album. Unlike "Permission to Land" the musical emphas
EXTD=is is now on the rock-pop side than the metal. \n\nThe title trac
EXTD=k is where the Roy Thomas Baker/Darkness union works perfectly. I
EXTD=f you admired RTB's productions in the past (Queen, StarCastle, C
EXTD=heap Trick, The Cars, Foreigner, Journey...) you will really love
EXTD= Track 1..."One Way Ticket" uses many of RTB's trademark producti
EXTD=on techniques and tricks for a knockout effect: 1) A dense drum m
EXTD=ix sounding similar to the one on Foreigner's "Head Games" LP. 2)
EXTD= flanging effects from Journey's "Infinity" album. 3) And what co
EXTD=uld be the highlight of the whole CD - a HUGE mass choir of overd
EXTD=ubbed Justin's screaming "...AND BACK!!!" (Queen!) at top volume.
EXTD= A great track to kick off the CD with and a fitting first choice
EXTD= for a single (despite a silly opening and weird sitar solo). \n\n
EXTD="Knockers" follows, but despite some fine guitar and piano work, 
EXTD=the one line chorus seems to be a letdown after several funny ver
EXTD=ses. Sorry it just doesnt ignite for me, maybe it will later. \n\n
EXTD="Is it Just Me?" is a upbeat Power Pop-Rocker very similar in tem
EXTD=po and style to "Growing On Me". But I think it's better song wit
EXTD=h a great chorus. The Sweet-like harmonies and the "Ooohs" on the
EXTD= choruses are goosebump inducing. I hope this one is picked as th
EXTD=e second single, it's my favorite track on this CD so far. \n\n"D
EXTD=inner Lady Arms" also has a great melody and another hook-filled 
EXTD=chorus - but RTB's expensive production starts letting me down he
EXTD=re - the band sounds a little too relaxed when they should be rea
EXTD=lly rocking out here. Interesting use of Pete Townsnend (like) gu
EXTD=itar picking on the verses. \n\n"Seemed Like A Good Idea At The T
EXTD=ime" is an impressively written song with restrained singing by J
EXTD=ustin. But the mix (the orchestra is too loud) drowns out all the
EXTD= guitars, leaving the song sounding flat and without any punch. T
EXTD=he limp guitar solo and the huge production makes this song sound
EXTD= exactly like a 80's "Hair Band" ballad - great if you like those
EXTD= kinds of songs, but not for me. If Atlantic decides to release t
EXTD=his for a single, I hope someone gives a good "Rock Radio" remix 
EXTD=and turn down those strings. \n\n"Hazel Eyes" sounds like a unhol
EXTD=y gangbang of Thin Lizzy and Zeppelin with Queen (naturally) on t
EXTD=op. Nice use of UK folk influences with an interesting Brian May-
EXTD=like guitar opening. Lets see some of those Nu-Metal bands try so
EXTD=mething like this and make it work. \n\nThe joke of "Bald" will p
EXTD=robably be lost on those Ipod downloaders who will never check ou
EXTD=t those lyrics. The genius of the Darkness is Justin and company 
EXTD=can make you laugh and rock at the same time - not too many bands
EXTD= can to that. This song is really the only track where the Darkne
EXTD=ss equal the headbanging hard riffing of their first album. \n\n"
EXTD=Girlfriend" is a total "360" from "Bald" - It's a simple and sill
EXTD=y song showing off Justin's love for 70's bubblegum pop and...dis
EXTD=co? A hot guitar solo would have worked better here than the chea
EXTD=p casio synth solo that almost ruins the whole song. Despite that
EXTD=, its still a fun listen, and it would be a fun track for some mo
EXTD=dern teenpop act to cover. \n\n"English Country Garden" reminds m
EXTD=e of very much of Sparks' mid 70's Island records period - very h
EXTD=yperactive and a the lyrics are a real hoot! \n\nFreddie Mercury 
EXTD=and more Queen influences abound on the big closing ballad "Blind
EXTD= Man". This is a very pretty song but I agree with others it's a 
EXTD=very strange, morbid and a bit too serious way to end this record
EXTD=. It's seems out of character for this fun loving party band (or 
EXTD=on the other hand - it could be another one of thier musical put-
EXTD=ons). \n\nTo wrap it up, I'm a little disappointed in "One Way Ti
EXTD=cket.." Though the group has expanded their sound greatly while k
EXTD=eeping their whimsy, humor and style intact they have accidentall
EXTD=y (or intentionally) smoothed down the rawness of thier debut CD,
EXTD= replaced with a slicker production with over-ambitious arrangeme
EXTD=nts on several songs. On those songs, The Darkness would have bee
EXTD=n off better to keep things simple like they did on the first alb
EXTD=um than show fans and critics how clever they can be with RTB beh
EXTD=ind the boards. \n\nDespite some flaws, this CD is still a very w
EXTD=orthy follow up to "Permission to Land" and a great CD for Classi
EXTD=c Rock and Darkness fans. Maybe this CD will be the right "Ticket
EXTD=" to propel the band into the USA Top 10 for the first time. \n\n
EXTD=Just be prepared to Rock a little less on this second trip. 3 1/2
EXTD= Stars..\n\nHalf.com Details \nProducer: Roy Thomas Baker \n\nAlb
EXTD=um Notes\nThe Darkness: Justin Hawkins (vocals, guitar); Dale Haw
EXTD=kins (guitar); Richie Edwards (bass guitar); Edward Graham (drums
EXTD=).\nRecording information: Rockfield Studios, Monmouth, England (
EXTD=2005).\nOn the Darkness's second full-length album, ONE WAY TICKE
EXTD=T TO HELL... AND BACK, frontman Justin Hawkins brings back his tr
EXTD=ademark unitard and Wagnerian falsetto for another delicious pop-
EXTD=metal outing. Although the melodies aren't as immediately appeali
EXTD=ng as on PERMISSION TO LAND, the disc still boasts its share of a
EXTD=ir-guitar anthems, particularly the hard-rocking "Is It Just Me?"
EXTD= And while the six-string playing of Hawkins and his brother, Dan
EXTD=, still carries the record, the Darkness unleashes its inner Jeth
EXTD=ro Tull with a wider instrumental palette that includes sitar, pa
EXTD=n flute, bagpipes, and an entire orchestra, making for a consider
EXTD=ably fuller sound. Of course, as on PERMISSION, Hawkins's soaring
EXTD= falsetto is the British group's calling card, and it's displayed
EXTD= to great effect on the Slade-like "Hazel Eyes" and "English Coun
EXTD=try Garden," which recalls Queen at their most stately. Though th
EXTD=is album can't quite top its bold, brash predecessor, it reveals 
EXTD=the broad range of the Darkness's charms, making it a worthy comp
EXTD=anion piece to that lauded debut.\n\nIndustry Reviews\n3 stars ou
EXTD=t of 5 - [T]he Darkness joke remains as buoyant as Justin Hawkins
EXTD=' falsetto. They're a group that believes in a thing called love.
EXTD= Happily, however, they don't believe in a thing called restraint
EXTD=.\n\n\nRanked #23 in Spin's 40 Best Albums Of 2005 - [I]t's a tri
EXTD=umph of grandiosity. By turns gorgeous and anvil heavy, it also e
EXTD=stablishes Hawkins as a lyricist of the first order.\n\nJustin at
EXTD=tacks his vowels like a velvet ninja while Dan turns decades of g
EXTD=uitar decadence, from Mick Ronson to Mick Mars, into his own spec
EXTD=ial thing. -- Grade: A-
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