Permission To Land
by The Darkness
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Sep 16, 2003
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 80 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 68 out of 80
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 80
  3. Negative: 8 out of 80

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  1. drlowdon
    Feb 6, 2014
    8
    Genre: Rock
    With the over the top 70's style it is easy to misjudge The Darkness as a bit of a joke but they back up their excess by belting out some cracking old school rock tunes.
  2. Cubbykovu
    Aug 14, 2012
    10
    permission to land is bombastic loud rock album of legendary status the songs are loud catchy and sing alongy . the guitar laying is brilliant the drums bash and it is quite simply and album made to make you feel good and sing along too there should be more albums like this. It is also a fit of a larf with some impressively rediculous vocals that soar. Super album Super band
  3. Wolfmother
    Aug 11, 2010
    10
    Glam rock gods. Overrated? Barely anyone knows who they are. Overrated is incredibly ironic. Justin Hawkins and Dan hawkins are like Queen + Ac/dc. The hooks and uniqueness of Queen with the generic rock sounds of Ac/Dc. A shame they broke up. They could have been gods.
  4. WillH
    Sep 21, 2003
    10
    Ace!
  5. robm
    Jun 14, 2004
    10
    ok, for one thing this album is a 10 even if you dont go to their show, but I did and you can then only appreciate their love for rock n' roll. great song writers, amazing guitarists...and what is great is that it brings the fun back in rock!
  6. TomI
    Oct 1, 2003
    9
    Don't let the name fool you. The Darkness are not a punk rock band which their nam emight suggest, but are a brilliant and entertaining rock bandwiht great songs. 'I believe in a thing called love' is fantastic and if their is any justice in the world it should get to No.1. They have been compared to Queen and you can see why - they're going to be huge!!
  7. DaveZ
    Oct 7, 2003
    10
    A beast.
  8. MichaelD
    Sep 15, 2003
    10
    Rock on baby !!!
  9. Kris-say!
    Oct 23, 2004
    9
    I wouldn't know much about old school rock, considering I'm only 16, but, for some reason... they just appeal, and you can tell they really know what they're doing... the guitar is amazing and I just get in the feel of it every time I listen... he he, it's great runway practice music... :D
  10. AndrewE
    Mar 18, 2004
    10
    I'm going to guess that stylus magazine gave "Justified" 5 stars cause evidently they don't know shit about music. The Darkness might de-throne The White Stripes as the current gods of rock and roll.
  11. leahr
    Mar 19, 2004
    10
    the best cd in the world I love the darkness so much their doing very well keep it up boys
  12. FraserD
    Jul 5, 2004
    10
    This is honestly one of the greatest albums that I have experienced in a long time. When you're looking to loosen that tie, shake the head, pump the fist, sing to the heavens and rock out - this is the album. I can't help but have a massive grin on my face everytime I hear any of these tracks. And for those of you who've caught them live... well... words can't describe
  13. nilso
    Mar 28, 2006
    10
    god!
  14. katie
    Nov 4, 2003
    10
    fkin mint cd-buy it for eve1
  15. joeb
    Sep 16, 2003
    10
    this album will rock ur world hear it before evryone else because these are going to be the biggest thing out of britain since the beatles - i tell no lie
  16. NickC
    Sep 19, 2003
    8
    Zero originality, but highly entertaining 80's style rock. The Darkness have become huge in the UK, and it's easy to see why - not many larger than life bands around at the moment.
  17. TheElusivePossom
    Jan 27, 2004
    10
    Easily one of the best albums ever created, with an all killer songlist compiled of hits that will make any party worth going to. A must have. "Stylus" magazine seem to be making a meal of sour grapes, for some reason, and "Susan W", who believes "anybody could have made this album", should perhaps give it a go herself. Call us when your famous Susan.
  18. Colleen
    Jan 29, 2004
    10
    A masterpiece! One of the only times ever when the hype about a disc is actually deserved!
  19. Alan
    Jan 3, 2004
    8
    its a fun album that makes u wanna get wasted and enjoy the rest of the night
  20. ShawnO
    Jan 4, 2004
    10
    although not an 11!!! Like spinal tap. hopefully this will mark an end of an era of monotone vocals and songs with no leads. thankyou Darkness, for firing the first shot to change rock for the better!
  21. MickV
    Feb 8, 2004
    10
    I love this album. This band is like Zepplin and Queen put in a blender. What really excites me about this album isn't how good it is, its that this band might get better and progress. This album just forced me to buy a Les Paul again and start a hard rock band. Thats how good it is.
  22. LocusD.
    Mar 5, 2004
    10
    STRONG & POWERFUL! I really don't miss the 80's, but this cd perfectly represents them.
  23. miwasangel
    Apr 19, 2004
    10
    the greatest rock album in the last 5 years.it makes you believe that with lps like this,the rock will live almost a thousand years more.it fucking rules!.
  24. louisg
    Apr 6, 2004
    10
    ithe album is awsome and the band is like led zeppelin and ac dc
  25. AndyL
    May 4, 2004
    10
    Wow, very impressed. A hark back to the rock of old with a touch of the new. For once a band that knows how to have fun and make great music simultaneously. Id hate to say so but it might even be better than Absolution
  26. JebI
    Jun 18, 2004
    10
    This album is an incredible compilation that would put a big grin on the faces of Def Leppard, Whitesnake and Judas Priest. The amthems ( I believe in a thing called love, Growing on me), and the power ballad Love is only a feeling, make this CD a must for all rock enthusiasts.
  27. AndyS
    Jun 23, 2004
    10
    Sheer greatness.
  28. JoonasL
    Jul 15, 2004
    9
    This is a wonderful album, finally MTV really plays something other than rap or girly teenbands. At first this didn't sound so good, so I just kept repeating on listening it because friend insisted on it and the good songs started to appear, now there's really no bad song on this album only a few not so good, but not bad either (Love on the Rocks with no Ice). If you're This is a wonderful album, finally MTV really plays something other than rap or girly teenbands. At first this didn't sound so good, so I just kept repeating on listening it because friend insisted on it and the good songs started to appear, now there's really no bad song on this album only a few not so good, but not bad either (Love on the Rocks with no Ice). If you're looking for a partying rock album then this is your choice along with Andrew W.K.'s I Get Wet.… Expand
  29. BaronS
    Sep 22, 2004
    8
    The genius of The Darkness is the perpetual joke they're playing that no one (in America anyway) gets. I feel very privliged that I do. Anyway, musically speaking this a thunderously talanted band and "Permission to Land" delivers unforgetable and sing along/play along melodies and guitar licks. Influences are noticable everywhere (from Cheap Trick to Queen to Van Halen) and each The genius of The Darkness is the perpetual joke they're playing that no one (in America anyway) gets. I feel very privliged that I do. Anyway, musically speaking this a thunderously talanted band and "Permission to Land" delivers unforgetable and sing along/play along melodies and guitar licks. Influences are noticable everywhere (from Cheap Trick to Queen to Van Halen) and each track seems to take you in a different direction. For those of you who don't "get" it...I feel sorry for you. For those that do, The Darkness takes us back to a more simple time in music history and leaves us with a smile on our faces.… Expand
  30. JoeB
    Dec 5, 2005
    9
    At first I was concerned, and didn't think that I'd like The Darkness, but I heard "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" and, well, loved it. The songs are campy and 80s knock offs, yes, but they're funny, entertaining, catchy, and admittedly poppy (the only good kind). Yes, Justin Hawkins voice is screeching, but it's funny, and not really annoying.
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Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Most Discussed Album of 2003
70
#70 Most Shared Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Austin Chronicle
    78
    Campy? To be sure. Derivative? Absolutely. But cock-rock of this sheer magnitude and pomposity has been dormant at least since "Smells Like Teen Spirit" washed away "November Rain," so who really cares?
    Read full review
  2. Q Magazine
    70
    They might have a shelf life shorter than a pint of milk but, with a good tune underpinning each over-egged slice of rock pudding, are all the more thrilling for it. [Aug 2003, p.104]
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Just because it’s essentially heavy-metal karaoke, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy it.
    Read full review
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