The Datsuns - The Datsuns
Not the sound of a spaceship taking off, but instead the squealing guitars that form the basis for this one-trick, idiotic but rather good album by The Datsuns
WIDDLY WIDDLY WAH NYYYYYYYEOMM!!!
Not the sound of a spaceship taking off, but instead the squealing guitars that form the basis for this one-trick, idiotic but rather good album. The Datsuns hail from a part of the world called New Zealand, which apart from being where they filmed Lord of the Rings, and having a few sheep, hasn't got a lot going for it. With nothing to do but listen continually to AC/DC records, Dolf de Datsun and his equally monikered mates Phil Datsun, Matt Datsun and Christian Datsun wear their influences on their thrift-store chic sleeves right from the beginning. The lyrics are predominantly occupied with how cool each of the Datsuns are- brash and arrogant without sounding like they are in the latter stages of forcing themselves up their own arse. Take note, Bono and Damon Albarn. Head Datsun Dolf has got the perfect voice for his lyrics and this genre-a cross between Robert Plant, Julian Casablancas and Liam Gallagher, after a night on the whiskey. Opening track '”Sittin' Pretty” opens with a distorted opening guitar loop that seems to homage both Led Zeppelin AND Black Sabbath in the same crazy song. “Lady” comes next, a straightforward screamfest that sounds a wee bit like the Wayne’s Worldtheme tune, and all the better for it. “MF From Hell” follows, featuring what must be some of the greatest screaming expletives ever recorded (“MF” here doesn't stand for ‘monotheistic farmers’).
The shining jewel in this gaudy, gleaming crown however is the thumping, militaristic masterpiece that is “Harmonic Generator.” Tribal drums, various Von Bondies on backing vocals and Dolf's distinctive yowling in a glorious three minutes which would make The Darkness choke on their iPods. I have also been informed that this song is about a sort of guitar effects pedal you can buy: however, my attempt at writing a song about an effects pedal (“hey baby / I got lots of GAIN”) merely got me banned from the nursing home. First single “In Love'” seems to be the only song on this album that is anything less than straightforward, with Dolf's simple, cocky lyrics ('”Hey / I feel lonely / Well I got so many different women on my mind”) penetrating the extremely catchy and distorted melody. It's filthy and you love it, corky.
However, beef can and will be raised about this album. Firstly, although not always a bad thing, this is an album about as subtle as a hot pink articulated lorry parked across a series of disabled parking spaces. There is little diversity in this album, and the finger is kept firmly on the ‘ROCK, HARD’ button throughout. As a result of this it is sometimes hard to tell where one song ends and another begins. With a bit of luck, the incoming second album by these antipodean upstarts will alter this somewhat, and maybe bring a bit of cohesion to their sound.
On the whole, this album is guaranteed to upset your mother, grandmother and any visiting clergy. Be warned though- Fathers may want to borrow it. The best thing about this record is that it features four young men having the time of their lives, and you can hear every note of that fun throughout the record. Money can’t buy that sort of sound, man.
(V2 Records)