Hot Cakes
by The Darkness
  • Record Label: EMI
  • Release Date: Aug 21, 2012
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 24
  3. Negative: 3 out of 24
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  1. Rolling Stone
    Aug 29, 2012
    60
    Hot Cakes stays amusing, mixing beer-barrel chuggers with proud schlock ballads.
  2. Pitchfork
    Aug 29, 2012
    52
    Even with its generous supply of candy-coated riffs and easy-flowing melodies, Hot Cakes still goes down like lukewarm Eggo waffles: comfort-food familiar, but sapped of the frisson that made The Darkness special.
  3. The Fly (UK)
    Aug 29, 2012
    50
    A riot of dumbness, 'Hot Cakes' is predictably brash and Queen-like.
  5. Exclaim
    Aug 29, 2012
    50
    Hot Cakes contains vestiges of the brilliance that once helped make The Darkness a massive cultural force (at least in the UK). But too many of its songs feel like toss-offs and half-formed ideas.
  6. Drowned In Sound
    Aug 29, 2012
    40
    There's nothing that really stands out as a hit on here, nothing to get the crowds in Whitesnake t-shirts (ironic or otherwise) moshing in the manner of Permission to Land's hits.
  7. Consequence
    Aug 29, 2012
    40
    And even these songs ["Nothing's Gonna Stop Us", "Everybody Have a Good Time"] fail to capture the raw energy of Permission To Land or the orchestral pomposity of One Way Ticket, instead falling limp between the two.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Alfie18
    Feb 5, 2023
    6
    Easily there weakest album. Feels rushed out. Still there are some good songs as the first 2 tracks are great but it tails off quickly. GoodEasily there weakest album. Feels rushed out. Still there are some good songs as the first 2 tracks are great but it tails off quickly. Good but not Darkness good.… Full Review »
  2. LJHayes
    Jan 24, 2014
    6
    There's nothing really wrong with this album, it just doesn't have the same vibrant air as the last two Darkness albums. There's more of itThere's nothing really wrong with this album, it just doesn't have the same vibrant air as the last two Darkness albums. There's more of it and it's certainly enjoyable but it's nothing outstanding. There is (as one would expect) a very prominent classic rock influence with a fun and laid back air throughout that is difficult to not appreciate and would make a perfect accompaniment to night in with your mates having a few drinks but by the end of it you will find yourself longing for the glory days of Permission to Land.… Full Review »
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