The Darkness' Sophomore CD Sucks

The sophomore release from this amazingly talented group is too often a mockery of what could be serious arena rock. Perhaps if the band could maintain the edge it broke through with - those of Permission to Land's "Love on the Rocks With No Ice" and "Get Your Hands Off of My Woman" - the shredding European quartet could get off the ground with this new one.

Rather, they opt for compositions that just sort of drudge on; OWTTHAB sounds like a hodge-podge blend of all the shit I've come to hate since VH1 began praising the decadence of the 80's. They sound like a Queen rip-off, to be honest, and many of their new songs are too deeply acknowledgeable of their own clichés. For instance, "Bald," one of the very few new tracks I actually find palatable, is far too explicit with its humor compared to old tracks-if I wanted humor in falsetto I'd buy a 99 cent Weird Al LP and crank up the pitch!

Honestly: screw you, The Darkness… you guys came off like purveyors of rock. Not only did fans wait 2 full years for what they expected to be a progression from Permission to Land, they were served this 10-track heap of mediocrity. On the other hand, perhaps this was an ingenious business move on The Darkness' part-shake the floundering U.S. fans, lay low, let their image burn out on MTV and conjure up the most devilish incantation of rock spirit we can stomach.

If it's the most kick ass, rocking, out of this world grind you're after I'll send you in the right direction: the ultra-fresh Turn Me On Dead Man's God Bless the Electric Freak. Another sophomore album, this supersonic revamping of 70's spirit will turn any part out and, quite possibly, get listeners naked in the process.

Plus, it's out on Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles label, so you know you'll only have to pay $12 for a copy that's wrapped up like an extra-large condom. If you're too intimated to jump right into it, you can always test the waters @ www.mandeadonmeturn.com, which features tidbits of each of the album's extensive tracks.

Also, full versions of "Killer Sound Waves from Space," "Hale-Bopp" and "Apocalypse Rock" may be found at the aforementioned independent label's online haven-www.alternativetentacles.com. Arguably, these guys have a greater intensity than The Darkness but, hands down, Turn Me On Dead Man has the humility to exemplify art through ripping guitar licks and insightful lyrics.