Albums

Album Review: The Datsuns

[Album: Head Stunts]
[Label: Cooking Vinyl]

New Zealand’s finest scuzz-guitar exports The Datsuns mark a return to the music world’s buxom bosom with their brand new album ‘Head Stunts’. Since being heralded as the ‘future of rock’ from various quarters after their s/t debut album ripped the rock scene a new bum-hole back in 2002, things have gone a little quiet on the global domination front. Despite the release of 2 subsequent albums (2004’s ‘Outta Sight/Outta Mind’ and 2006’s ‘Smoke & Mirrors’) and a number of world tours, it’s fair to say points are needed to be made and reputations restored with this their 4th album.

When it comes to full-on rock albums a great opening track is a MUST and The Datsuns deliver with a belter! “Human Error” is the tune shouldered with such a responsibility and with its classic garage rock riff, frantic drumming and excitedly delivered vocals it’s the perfect start. I’m already grinning and imagining dusting off the old air guitar and cranking up my stereo for a bedroom headline session. There is no let up though and “Hey! Paranoid People!…” introduces a Hammond organ to proceedings with rather sexy consequences before “Your Bones” continues the excellent start with some impressive guitar licks—the devil horns are now on full display.

3 songs in and I’m thinking The Datsuns have either re-discovered their mojo or have presented us all with a false dawn as “Ready Set Go!” begins. Sounding a little Clash-like it’s a slower themed tune to their normal high-tempo output but its pleasant none the less. Fortunately it proves a minor distraction and “Yeah Yeah Just Another Mistake” proves that the band is back on top-form, sending a down right dirty riff pulsating through my speakers. It’s as good a tune as they are ever likely to write and should see the mosh pit army in full operation up and own the country during their upcoming UK tour. Rounding off Side 1 (the album is 12 tracks split into 6 track sides) is “Eye Of The Needle” and it does indeed sound like an end of record track—dark, moody and almost hypnotic in it’s delivery with a hint of stoner rock thrown in the mix.

Side 2 starts and “So Long” cranks the volume back up to 11 whilst “Cruel Cruel Fate”, “Highschool Hoodlums” and “Cry Crybaby” re-introduce the Hammond and retro-punk vibe in equal measure with the gang vocals and simple structures allowing the band to rock out to fantastic effect. What follows is arguably the best song on the record with “Pity Pity Please”. It will literally grab you by the balls and slap you around before knocking you to the ground in a flurry of broken limbs, relentless sweat and a stamp on your forehead simply saying ‘You’ve been Datsuned’. Sensing they might have this affect on the listener, the final song “Somebody Better” sounds like a psychedelic 60’s era LSD comedown anthem and is very reminiscent of the classic Beatles tune “Tomorrow Never Knows”. It works amazingly well and has calmed me down just enough to reach over to my stereo and push play again….

The Datsuns are back and have never sounded better, rocked harder or showcased their talents as well as they do on this record. New drummer Ben Cole has bought urgency back to the band that has been sorely missing of late and the fun factor of their debut has been mated with songs of real class and substance. Head Stunts is a cracking return to form from a premier rock n roll outfit and its going to take something special to get this off my playlist anytime soon. Make no mistake my friend’s, Danny Sambuca has been well and truly ‘Datsuned’.

For Fans Of: The White Stripes, The Vines, The Ramones

Band Link:
The Datsuns

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