The Datsuns - The Datsuns (The Datsuns - Datsuns)

Member Name: carlmcq

Product:	The Datsuns - Datsuns
Date:	23/06/05 (67 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Rocktastic music!

Disadvantages: A lot of the tracks are too similar

One of New Zealand's best imports, possibly ever, The Datsuns debut self-titled album released in late 2002 is genuine rock n' roll at it's best!! Loud, distorted guitars playing riffs that just make you want to get up and jump, and drums that compliment this as well, and raw, tuneful vocals to match and impress.

Having heard the singles 'In Love' and 'Harmonic Generator', I saw them play Reading Festival in 2003, and was hooked instantly, putting on one of the best shows of the weekend by far! So had to buy the album, so I did!!

'Sittin' Pretty' is the album's opening number - using a main lead riff and working around it - it shows the basics of good, air guitar music. Soloing is in evidence - another sign of rock n' roll, which must be a good thing!

'MF From Hell' is an extremely pacy, distorted track. But with the lyrics managing to fit with the catchy rhythm of the guitars, it is a blatant example of the air guitar style that rock n' roll portrays. An big highlight of the album.

'Lady' continues the formula of toe-tappingly good guitar riffs, and drumbeats to match all at a high tempo. And a delicious guitar solo just after halfway really tops this one off!!

'Harmonic Generator' was the second single taken from the album - this one has more to do with nodding along to the drumbeat, rather than the infectious guitars of the previous three tracks. Although the guitars still have a distinct rhythm to them and make this another excellent track!

'What Would I Know' is real old school rock n' roll, as shown by the opening riff, which sees them return to the formula of the first few tracks. It's marginally slower in tempo - possible to allow the listener time to recuperate after the non-stop attitude of the first four songs, although it's not THAT slow however!!

'At Your Touch' has an opening riff that makes me think Dire Straits - Money For Nothing (listen, I'm sure I can't be the only one!!) - the structure of each song is becoming obvious by this stage however, with a lack of variation, unfortunately.

'Fink For The Man' contains a gradually building bassy-drum intro, that all of a sudden explodes with screaming and distorted guitars. With this sudden change in tempo - slow to explosive - this is a true definition of rock n' roll.

'In Love' was the first single to be taken from the album and my first taste of The Datsuns. Again, the song structure is all too similar, but this song gets away with it, and arguably could be called the song that showcases what the band are really like. There's even a distinct smell of Led Zeppelin in the air here - and now that's a good smell!!!

'You Build Me Up (To Bring Me Down)' A funky, blues-esque tune here - not a highlight of the album however, which is a shame because the riff could work in so many ways. But yet again, the solo doesn't fail to disappoint - rock on!!

'Freeze Sucker' rounds the album off with a meleé of symbols and distorted guitars, getting faster and faster. This is an excellent send off for this album by displaying just what has been played beforehand.

Apart from more or less each song being all too similar in structure, you can't deny the fact that this music is how music should be - good times, jumping around, toe-tapping - just the way rock n' roll should always be!!

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