The Darkness – Last Of Our Kind (ALBUM REVIEW)

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The Darkness is back with yet another onslaught of in your face rock and roll and this time, the band takes the listener on a wild voyage full of cascading vocal heroics along with their trademark rip-roaring, dual six string escapades. The Darkness’ fourth album Last of Our Kind was recorded in Ireland and it features drummer Emily Dolan Davies – who has now since left the band. In an official and always tongue in cheek press release by the band, the Darkness’ original drummer Ed Graham “departed under mysterious circumstances.” However, in a very Spinal Tap progression – Davies has recently left the band and has been replaced by Rufus Taylor. Rufus is the son of rock royalty, Roger Taylor of Queen – a very fitting replacement as Queen have remained a major influence over the Hawkins brothers since their youth.

Last of Our Kind opens with a grizzled sage’s voice providing a spoken word intro to the album’s first relentless track, “Barbarian” which features a raging storm of guitars to help tell the dark story of a bloody battle and overtaking by Ivan The Boneless. The song is as heavy as the storyline – a relentless monster that is a welcome departure from the band’s earlier glam trappings. “Open Fire” follows and it’s one of the best songs on the album. The Hawkins brothers, Justin on vocals/guitar and Dan on guitar – conjure up the sound and pop-rock texture of the best riffs by the Cult’s Billy Duffy. The song could probably pass for a deep track by the 80’s legends if it weren’t for some of the flashy fretwork.

Unfortunately, even after several spins, the third and title track “Last Of Our Kind” remains aimless with over-produced choruses and unorthodox arrangements. But the album rebounds with “Roaring Waters” which opens with a rather nasty jingle and jangle of guitar riffage. This song is solid and offers a multi-faceted array of flair – definitely a highlight.

As always, the Darkness is good for a melodramatic ballad or two, and “Wheels Of The Machine” happens to be one of them. It’ll certainly have audiences waving their lighters, um – I mean their cell phone lights side to side for at least four minutes during a show. Next up is “Mighty Wings,” which initially sounds as if could have been on Queen’s Flash Gordon soundtrack, before being bludgeoning the listener with one of the album’s heaviest riffs and returns to get its Queen on with heavenly harmonies and layered guitar leads and fills. This may be the track containing the deepest lyrics and it shows that the band and their production team put their thinking caps on for this well-balanced rocker that has yet another fun, rollicking riff that most likely lets brother Dan get his Thin Lizzy-ya ya’s off for a few minutes.

Not having to be ashamed of anything and showing a sense of humor, “Mudslide” channels your standard fare of 80’s Hair Metal flair. The listener is initially warned with, “This ain’t no double entendre. This ain’t no euphemism. This is real life.” before being subjected to a smorgasbord of ballsy riffs and vocal swagger that will put hairs on your chest. The song kicks ass and should certainly be a spectacle if performed live. And in the end, the listener is reminded to take “it”, maybe life’s obstacles for what it is, “a fucking mudslide.”

“Sarah O Sarah” is less memorable, but it does provide a break from the battle axe intensity of earlier tracks before returning to some truly fun classic rock. “Hammer and Tongs” could easily be mistaken as a Mott the Hoople deep cut as it drips with a heavy dose of crunchy blues tones and chord progressions – traditional Rock & Roll. Ian Hunter will be probably beam with pride after hearing this one.

The album could have ended with “Hammer”, but the band takes a leap of faith by closing Last of Our Kind with a track featuring bassist Frankie Poullain on vocals and it pays off. One may be surprised at how good Poullain can sing. Though his voice is incredibly different from Justin’s, maybe Poullain’s voice will be able to be more recognizable when listening to the band’s back catalog. One shouldn’t be surprised if this track becomes a set standard for the upcoming tour. Last of Our Kind is a great follow up to their last effort Hot Cakes and it’s especially appreciated that the band has not deviated too far from their trademark sound and rock and roll purist attitudes.