The Darkness Returns To Show Everybody a Good Time

One of the more addictive rock romps of the 2000s was The Darkness's "I Believe In a Thing Called Love". It played up the campy side of heavy metal so beautifully that it was easy to forget the song kicked ass and then left you sprawled on the floor in awe. It's a thrill knowing that 2012 marks the band's return with "Hot Cakes". That title is ideal since "Everybody Have a Good Time", one of its tracks, is sticky sweet pleasure. Justin Hawkins returns to the mike to vamp it up no end with his salute to knocking off all the fightin' and makin' with the rock 'n' roll already. Brother Dan has his digits firmly on the throttle. His chord flexing feels like a seasoned masseur working the knots out of my spine. Ed Graham busts down the fourth wall between band and listener with some skin smacking that makes living it up 'til the wee hours of the morn come across like a devout mission that must be served. As for the chorus harmonies they're delectable. The Darkness is sure to keep all the other hard rock bands out there from committing the top sin of hard rock which is taking oneself too seriously. Who cares if the song is about as deep as angel food cake. Time to fly away to the gates of hard rock heaven.