Re: Darkness on the Edge of Pop

Ira, at the risk of foreclosing a Wreckless Eric dedication, I was deeply hurt by your review of The Darkness.

When I first saw the video to "I Believe In A Thing Called Love," I was confused, a little sickened and my head throbbed intensely. But that happened the first time I drank a Jolt Cola, and I came to love the taste and the sugar high. I now believe in a thing called The Darkness. Justin writes lyrics that are frequently funny, and occasionally brilliant. The line you picked on ("can't explain all the feelings that you're makin' me feel") was an easy target. But ever since Lou Reed complained about a lack of "time-time," ever since Paul ruminated over "this ever-changing world in which we live in," has the world of rock songwriting been willing to accommodate a redundancy or two.

You clearly did not stick it out to the album's final song, "Makin' Out," which boasts this killer chorus:
Makin' out - It's getting better and bet-tah
Makin' out - The back seat's getting wet-tah
Makin' out - I think I'll take off my sweat-tah
Makin' out - Gimme a purple French LET-TAHHHH!!

That is also in number in which our protagonist, his ardor peaked, warns his partner that he is "adopting the stahnce." Absolute Billy Shakes. The title of their new album ("One Way Ticket To Hell and Back") suggests that if nothing else, the band remains committed to its aesthetic vision. (I haven't heard the new album yet, but I just downloaded it - legally - and I'm setting aside some quality time with my chaise lounge and my headphones to enjoy it this weekend).

Sometimes, if you're not laughing then the joke's on you. I understand that his voice may be a little Sweet for all tastes, but at some point, isn't a performer who shreds while riding atop a stuffed white tiger suspended over his audience impervious to the kind of criticism you leveled against him? Shouldn't we be supporting this type of behavior after nearly fifteen years of undersexed guitar music?

Darn it! I was hoping this thread was going to be about Ira's antipathy towards Broooce Springsteen.

I understand your stance. there's a fine line between parody and stupdity, and i agree that the videos make a case for the former. in fact, the new album (at 35 minutes total) doesn't completely suck, but i still think they're a joke, and not in the good sense of the word, because the music at least pretends to be serious.

On this topic, thanks to the job that pays for Bobo's medical bills, i have to spend 2 hours with the self-same Darkness tomorrow morning, and I sure as hell hope they are not TP readers, cause it could get U-G-L-Y!

Ira, how did the interview with The Darkness go? Expiring minds want to know!

i didn't actually interview them, i arranged for them to be interviewed in sequence by a dozen radio stations at an ungodly morning hour in studios we have in my office. (don't ask.) anyway, they were on time, pleasant, cooperative and funny as fuck. i liked them a lot. best line of the morning - justin came up with a fictional group called the Amputeens... gotta love it.

he's not pretty, tho, i have to say.

> he's not pretty, tho, i have to say.

Well, jeez, Ira, you should've known that going in! Or do you just read magazines for the articles?

Glad to hear it went smoothly.

They face the same criticism in the UK (indeed, worldwide) press and surely would not find the TP criticism new ground; comes with the territory, one would think. FWIW, I have the same reaction::

oh this is a great joke>
but exactly which demographic is going to get this joke>
oh wait, they're not joking>
ok I must take this upon its own merits>
well, in a rap world I guess its ok>
ok this has gone on for several minutes now, I'm done

But then, rock and roll is a market that renews itself every 3 years, right?

In two years, I imagine the Darkness will enjoy the same degree of cultural relevancy that Andrew W.K. enjoys now.



Post Edited (12-01-05 14:30)

The Darkness will be eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2028 ... unless, of course, Ira organizes a filibuster.

(Actually, judging from the opinions asserted by some of the people on this board, The Darkness may well deserve no better than to be inducted.)

Personally, Ira, I'm with you. But of course, the Brits have a long history of rock bands with love-him-or-loathe-him lead singers.



Post Edited (12-01-05 15:15)

> Isn't a performer who shreds while riding atop a stuffed white tiger
> suspended over his audience impervious to the kind of criticism you
> leveled against him?

Well, if he's impervious, then what's the worry? Blast away at him all you want.

I get the joke with the Darkness but it ain't really that funny. Why bother listening to that just to get some conceptual joke payoff? However, the guitarist often wears a Thin Lizzy shirt which gets major points and the singers leotard outfit is what is known as a "unitard" (a one piece leotard) which is a word that I personally never get tired of hearing.

I have a couple of friends who I always assume are on the same page as me musically.

However, one gave me the first Darkness CD (I get the joke but why would you actually inflict the music on your ears?).

The other talked up Eminem and told me not to judge him. Huh?

when i first saw the somewhat popular eminem video ( i don't know the name of the tune but it IS catchy) I thought it would help obliterate the million man march and elevate it to the millions of men and women march. So that we might at least toss out Dick Cheney (to start with) on his soft, white, perfumed, oil sucking flabby ass. I was packed and ready...what happened? Maybe eminem is ahead of his time. That's some compliment. Hip hop hooray!