The second I pressed play on this cd I was assaulted with a huge battalion of sound. This (to me) is a sign of a cd I'm goin to listen to for a while. While I do agree with some people when they say that the drums are quite weak most of the time and the vocals leave much to be desired, the important thing is that this cd may very well make your nana explode if played loud enough
October 23, 2003 |  | Hardly Groundbreaking, but Shows Potential |  |
Of all the up-and-coming bands these days with the slightly retro focus and rowdy mixtures of punk, metal, and glam (and there are loads of them), the Datsuns may have the best chance of breaking out of the early glut. While this debut is not groundbreaking in any way, the Datsuns are fun to listen to and show real potential. The album starts out rather predictably with conventional retro rock workouts, faltering a bit with the clumsy "Harmonic Generator." But with the fifth track things suddenly get much more interesting, as the Datsuns show their surprisingly deft jam band tendencies. There is real potential in the powerful rave-up "What Would I Know," while unexpectedly funky grooves break out in "Fink for the Man" and "Freeze Sucker." Meanwhile "In Love" reveals a sly T.Rex influence from beneath the hubbub. The only weakness in the Datsuns sound is Dolf's vocals, which show little independent thought or style. He imitates a variety of classic punk and metal singers, alternating among Iggy Pop, Mick Jagger, Axl Rose, and even Bon Scott in successive tracks. Apart from the vast need for improvement in the vocal department, if the Datsuns grow beyond the need to fit into current trends and learn to maximize their evident musical abilities, they may deliver something groundbreaking in the future. [~doomsdayer520~]
August 22, 2003 | | Wanted: New Vocalist for Decent Backing Band | |
The worst vocals I've ever heard. Makes Yoko Ono look like a songbird. Hire someone who can sing dudes!
July 29, 2003I have seen the Datsuns twice live, both time in small venues, and they are definitely one of the hardest rocking bands I have ever seen (and I have seen hunderds of bands). They were so good the first time I saw them that I just had to go back to see them again just to get the sheer pleasure of seeing a great rock and roll band giving all they have got on stage. Sadly, it is true that this recording does not quite capture their live sound, as often happens with great live bands such as the MC5 (that is why I am only giving four stars). Having said that, some songs on the CD come pretty close (e.g., Freeze Sucker, which is the highlight of their live shows). Live, the three guys in the front play like MFs from hell. The only weak link in the band appears to be the drummer. Although he is not a bad player at all, he seems to be lacking in power, which also shows on the CD. Overall, however, I strongly recommend this CD. And you MUST see them live!!
July 19, 2003| | | If You Like The Mooney Suzuki or the Hives... | |
If You Like The Mooney Suzuki or the Hives, then avoid this record at all costs. I admit I've been taken by the so-called garage revival: White Stripes, Vines, Strokes, etc. But these guys are not on par with the above mentioned groups in any way, shape or form. They may put on a great live show - at least that's what I've heard, but this CD is just TERRIBLE in my opinion. The riffs? They're the kind of lame riffs you were proud of yourself for coming up with when you were 13. The vocals? This guy's simply awful. He just screeches; he never really sings. And for God's sake, they infuse several of the songs with keyboards! Not a cool sounding old Moog or something, but ridiculous, superfluous, hair-band era keyboards. Now you can tell me he's playing some authentic 200 year old pipe organ if you want, but it still doesn't sound good. The songs are basic and pedestrian. I was fooled: the 30 second Real Audio clips sounded good to me. I was sorely disappointed by listening to the whole thing. If you like this style of music in general, let me strongly recommend The Mooney Suzuki's "People Get Ready" as having a similar feel, yet full of soul, fun, irony, intelligence, and damn heavy grooves.
June 19, 2003More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(19 reviews)