The Datsuns
The Datsuns
V2
Having played together for several years now, New Zealand’s The Datsuns got their big break last year, when UK’s fickle music press decided they needed a new band to satisfy their readers’ unstoppable hunger for retro rawk. The Datsuns like their music hairy and beefy, with screeched vocals, barrages of riffs and, in the words of those older than you and I, some “fiery thunder.”
Imagine early-day Nazareth (“Sittin’ Pretty”) getting on with AC/DC (“You Build Me Up To Bring Me Down”), and you’re on to something. Add a healthy dose of Deep Purple (“In Love”) and Billy Idol (“Harmonic Generator”), run it all through hair metal amps and what do you know, it’s The Datsuns. Whoo hoo.
It does get a bit tiring hearing this very same thing coming from a billion different bands these days. The Datsuns’ biggest problem isn’t the style of music they’re playing, though. It’s the sub-standard quality of their songwriting, the uninspired performances on here and the fundamental lack of willingness to stretch beyond the safe confines of their older brothers’ record collections.
That’s not saying The Datsuns come across as poseurs or bandwagon jumpers. They sound genuine about their music, however narrow their approach may be. But they’re just not exciting or vital or interesting enough to warrant the attention they’re getting. True, they may be the amazing live act that so many claim they are. But on tape, they sound like a pretty dull version of most other retro-rockers out there today. And you just don’t need any more of that.
V2 Records: http://www.v2music.com/
