Justin Hawkins and his band of merry men, AKA The Darkness, are back with their eighth studio album, which is once again brimming with tributes to iconic 1970s artists like Paul McCartney and Queen, along with a range of other influences. The launch of the album aligns perfectly with their most significant headlining tour across the UK in several years. The band proudly declares, “This is one of our finest works yet and we’re unspeakably proud of it.”
Like their previous releases, Dreams On Toast is almost a classic ‘glam rock’ album, full of rock ‘n’ roll extravagance, with the usual full-on glass shattering vocals of Justin Hawkins, easy to sing-along with tunes and guitars turned up to the max. There are plenty of catchy riffs and tongue-firmly-in-cheek lyrics .. “I’m a rock and roll party cowboy, and I aint gonna read no Tolstoy” (Rock & Roll Party Cowboy) .. plus other lyrics which often border on hilarity .. “We only do this because it’s fun, I don’t think my mum bought the last one,” (Walking Through Fire). If it’s poetry you’re after, you’re looking in the wrong place.
The Darkness make no attempt to hide their influences, they’re out in the open for all to see. Released as a single, if ‘The Longest Kiss’ isn’t a homage to Queen, I don’t know what is, and it would fit on any of their albums after Night at the Opera. It’s a eulogy to sentimentality and a jaunty little piano-dominated number with a touch of Queen’s joie de vivre attached. Similarly, the fast-paced ‘I Hate Myself’ and the heartfelt balladry of ‘Hot On My Trail’ have harmonies which instantly bring Queen to mind.
But behind all the vocals, they can rock. ‘Mortal Dread’ is an up-tempo rocker and ‘Battle for Gadget Land’ is a throwback to punk with its fast riffing. Their versatility shows on ‘Cold Hearted Woman,’ this being a country-inflected tune complete with banjo and violin. The album concludes in a quiet way with a tale of romantic assignation in the Eternal City, a weekend in Rome.
Dreams On Toast is The Darkness approaching the top of their game, containing all the things associated with them: the harmonies, the solid rocking and the sense of fun. This album is sure to elevate them back to the forefront of the music scene.
