THE DARKNESS...say the name of that band to almost anyone into hard rock music and you will either get a laugh and a "Aren't those guys like SPINAL TAP...like a joke or something?" or you will get the opposite reaction of "Those guys are incredible!". Saying they, divided opinion is an understatement, but sometimes that's the mark of great talent. Nothing's worse than a band that is so bland, safe, and typical that it doesn't evoke any passion in anyone...they just sell records by the boatload to the casual music listener and average housewife who doesn't really give a shit beyond anything except a catchy beat and that they heard the song on some episode of The Hills...yawn. You know, the kind of modern rock that you now hear in the store while shopping for socks in Target. Soulless, no balls, no edge, you get my drift. There's nothing wrong with that if music isn't a big deal to you...but it is to me.

THE DARKNESS were a rare new band that I got excited about, especially the criminally ignored One Way Ticket To Hell album produced by Roy Thomas Baker(QUEEN/CHEAP TRICK/THE CARS). Unfortunately, Justin Hawkin's wailing vocal style turned many off to the exceptional songs this band crafted, and after that album bombed, JUSTIN drank himself into rehab, the band imploded, and out of the ashes came THE STONE GODS and this album from Justin's new band HOT LEG. So, how does HOT LEG stand up to THE DARKNESS' 2 album legacy? Well, this is the 3rd DARKNESS album that never was to be. And yes, it kicks ass. The front cover art could be a bit better, but what's inside makes up for it. A band that sounds like nothing else you will hear on the radio right now.

If you hated THE DARKNESS, you will hate this too, make no mistake. But if like me, the idea of a THIN LIZZY/QUEEN/AC/DC/SWEET influenced band does it for you, than this is up your alley. It's refreshing to hear a hard rock band that has a different set of influences than the usual AEROSMITH/GUNS 'N ROSES or CRUE/POISON thing which has been done to death by a million bands already. And HAWKINS has a way with words that enables him to write about the typical subjects that is both funny and unique while avoiding a lot of the clichés. Musically, it's your basic AC/DC riffage with cool LIZZY inspired twin harmony guitar flourishes and huge layered QUEEN/SWEET styled background vocals, but not sounding exactly like any of them. Instead, it's a bit of everything in a perfect combination that avoids drifting into rip-off territory. There are occasional synth parts in certain songs, catchy choruses in abundance, and there's those vocal gymnastics ala Freddie Mercury meets who knows what. In fact, the lead off track, “Chickens”, has such a ridiculous over-the-top chorus that I nearly pissed myself the first time I heard it. When Hawkins starts making chicken noises at the end you know he's just taking the piss.

Stand out tracks on this album are "You Can't Hurt Me Anymore", "Ashamed", "Trojan Guitar" (think “Fat Bottomed Girls” from you know who), “Whichever Way You Wanna Give It”, “Gay In The 80s”, and “Cocktails”. “Cocktails” was the first single/video, and quite honestly, with the main hook of the song being huge background vocals singing the word COCK it may not have been the best first choice to go to radio/TV with!

As far as hard rock/glam goes, this is heads above most of what I've heard in the last 10 years or so, maybe longer. And for a debut, it's very solid all the way through. Granted, it is an acquired taste somewhat unless you are into a lot of the bands I mentioned. It has a very eccentric vibe running through it...sort of like watching a British sit-com on TV and not quite getting all of the slang. Let's face it, it's a much easier road to success if you sound like G 'N R or AEROSMITHor are doing a grunge meets DEF LEPPARD thing like NICKELBACK does so I think HOT LEG will be one of those cult following things unfortunately. Just my opinion. But then again, JET came out of nowhere and had some huge songs in the middle of all of that, so anything is possible. On a side note, this album is currently only available as an import, so grab it online because your local Best Buy will not have it. US release is pending from what I understand but it's worth seeking out asap.