The Darkness-for or against?

[Shaun Ponsonby]

Originally posted by Mr Badguy
The second album is always the key album.

I've always thought the 3rd album is the most important. The first is the one you write your whole life-if the first is a success-the second is guranteed to be a success. But, the third album then has to be one of your best. It shows your staying power.

[Mr Badguy]

Originally posted by Shaun Ponsonby
I've always thought the 3rd album is the most important. The first is the one you write your whole life-if the first is a success-the second is guranteed to be a success. But, the third album then has to be one of your best. It shows your staying power.

I dunno about that.

Think back ten years to the Quireboys.

Another potentialy great British band although they were trading very much on past bands trademarks, much like The Darkness.

Their first album "A bit of what you fancy" was brilliant, their follow up "Bitter sweet and twisted" sucked.

End of career.

Even Thunder, another great British band with loads of potential, followed their classic debut "Back steet symphony" with "Laughing on judgement day", an album just as good.

However, the public had heard it all before and they never got any bigger.

I don`t know if The Darkness over-exposure in Britain will backfire on them, leaving the public bored with the whole thing.

It has happened to bigger bands.

Think of Kiss.

[Shaun Ponsonby]

So, The Quireboys' (who actually supported Dave earlier this year. Also UFO and currently supporting Whitesnake and had a feature dedicated to them in Classic Rock. They're actually a good laugh live) 3rd album (in the mid-90's) WASN'T a success (they have a new album-their 4th- 'Well Oiled'). So, they didn't have staying power. Can't really comment on Thunder-I've never been able to call myself a fan-but THEY didn't have staying power (actually playing with DEEP PURPLE and PETER FRAMPTON on a UK-arena tour as we speak). And Kiss were always shite anyway-they can bearly play their instuments. One or two good tracks-but they were all image. I say that they NEEDED the make-up. Without it, it never would have happened. In fact, the worst thing Kiss ever did was take their make-up off. They looked even more cringing without it. And besides that's just a theory. It's like when they make a movie sequal. It ain't gonna be as big as the first-but it's gonna be big-ish. Think of these bands;
MOTORHEAD-No Sleep.../No. 1 album. Next album 'Iron Fist'. Worst album they've done-reached no. 4 in the charts, same as 1980's Ace Of Spades.
MEAT LOAF- 'Bat Out Of Hell'-sold over 30 million/'Bat Out Of Hell 2:Back Into Hell' sold 10 million.
AC/DC-'Back In Black' has sold 43 million/'For Those About To Rock' sold over 10 million.
YES-'90125' sold 8 million/ 'Big Generator' has one of the most played singles in American AOR history ('Rhythm Of Love')

They are not AS successful-but they are certainly not failures. And I know these are not albums 1-3, but trhe point is, people tend to go by previous reputation. Incidently, The Quireboy's first was more than 10 years ago-I mean, they formed in 1985.

[Mr Badguy]

Yeah, but, chances are, if your second album bombs big time you might not get to make a third.

There are a load of bands who made classic debuts (and I don`t include The Darkness) who never lived up to the first albums success.

Think of Montrose, classic first album (yes, I know Hagar sings on it), constantly regarded as one of the greatest rock LPs but nothing more than a footnote in rock history.

I don`t think you can mention "Back in black" and "For those about to rock..." as AC/DC were already an internationally established act by 1980.

And as for "90125", it would be interesting to see if that album would have sold as many copies if the band weas called Cinema, as originally intended, instead of Yes, which was instigated by the recruitment of Jon Anderson.

[Shaun Ponsonby]

Fair point about 90125-but it was the new Yes sound which contributed more than anything. Maybe the first few thousand were bought be older Yes fans-but the sound is too different for many of the-hards to appreciate. Most of the people who bought 90125 were American kids. When they would go to the show, and the band would play 'And You An I' or 'Ritual' or something, most of them would think 'What the hell is this'. Saying that, they probably would have heard 'Roundabout'-everybody else had.Check the 9012live video-and you'll see what I mean.

As for AC/DC-yes, they were established, but they were still playing theatres (see 'Let There Be Rock' video, recorded on the tour before Back In Black-Highway To Hell). It's a big jump to go from 4 or 5 million to 43 million.

And Montrose may have done more if Spammy didn't leave. Which, less face it, would have been great for everybody-because then we wouldn't have Van Hagar.

And if somebody had a huge debut- then if the record company drops them after the second bombs, then all the band has to do is blame it on the record company (not enough promotion etc), and someone will pick them up in the end-and they will make a 3rd album.

[jackassrock]

Originally posted by scottydabodi
Darkness... yeah it's better than the fuckin' whiner-rock crap that's out there, but they still suck. The singer just can't fuckin' sing... Right on about that Tiny Tim crap, bring on Halford, MOTHERFUCKER!!

Bravo !!!!!!!!

[secrets]

The Darkness are a bit of a piss take really. They have to be with those vocals. I don't dislike them but they are hard to take seriously. They just seem to be making a parody of classic 70s rock groups.

[Mr Badguy]

Originally posted by Shaun Ponsonby As for AC/DC-yes, they were established, but they were still playing theatres (see 'Let There Be Rock' video, recorded on the tour before Back In Black-Highway To Hell). It's a big jump to go from 4 or 5 million to 43 million. [/B]

Are you sure "Back in black" has sold 43 million.

That seems an a very high number.

I thought it was more like 15 million or something.

[Shaun Ponsonby]

Originally posted by Mr Badguy
Are you sure "Back in black" has sold 43 million.

That seems an a very high number.

I thought it was more like 15 million or something.

It's the 3rd biggest selling album ever. Check the sleevenotes of the recent re-issue.

Have you noticed that you and I spend a lot of time arguing?

[Mr Badguy]

Originally posted by Shaun Ponsonby
It's the 3rd biggest selling album ever. Check the sleevenotes of the recent re-issue.

Have you noticed that you and I spend a lot of time arguing?

Don`t worry about it, dude.

If we all agreed about everything then there wouldn`t be much to talk about.

It would be like "Do you like The Darkness?"

Answer: "Yes, I love them".

End of conversation.

If you think this is argueing, you should try DLR7884.

He loves a good debate.

[Shaun Ponsonby]

It's OK-I love arguing. To be a good arguer, you have to be one of 2 things;

1) Quick-witted
2) A woman.

[Shaun Ponsonby]

Does anybody else think that we've kinda lost the plot here? I can't even remember what we talkin about in the first place.

Well, whatever it was-let's get back to it.

[rustoffa]

[VHII]

thats a cool guitar, i like the darkness, they bring humor to the rock scene which is something Rock n Roll has been lacking for awhile, its not okay to smile anymore cause of idiots like limp bizkit and Korn, that crap ruined everything

[Shaun Ponsonby]

VH11 gets 5 stars for his excellent point.