None of your shite. Say it loud, Say it proud I WANNA ROCK (just like the Datsuns)

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The Lowdown: Brilliant debut album from New Zealand rockers that conjures up the classic 70's sound of the likes of AC/DC and The Ramones.

So you like The Hives, The Strokes, White Stripes? That type of new wave, indie, punk, rock band that have come along recently? Yes? Well you'll love the Datsuns. No? Well you'll still love the Datsuns. Personally I can't stand any of the bands mentioned at the start of this review, you know they are rock bands as such, but none of them actually really "rock", not in a metal way. Not when compared with those prototype metal acts such as AC/DC or MC5. Not when put beside the great punk bands of yesteryear like The Ramones or Dead Kennedys. But the Datsuns are about to change all that, because here comes a band with that bang up to date contemporary indie rock sound that has become so beloved of the first few years of the 21st century. But this band actually sound much more convincing, throwing serious metal riffs into the mix and coming out the other side with a musical palette daubed with the primary colours of AC/DC and completely over the top punk exuberance on the vocal front.

No surprise really, the band hail from New Zealand, next country up from the DC's home, they grew up on their music and also on the music of lesser-known bands from that area of the world such as the Saints. The album artwork is even reminiscent of AC/DC, especially the black and white photo of the band in the middle, which, except for the fact the Datsuns are a four piece, is exactly like one of AC/DC's early 70's promo shots.

The music is raucous in the extreme, and you can tell after a few tracks that these guys really mean it. "Sittin Pretty" opens the album in typical Datsuns fashion, big hard rock riff and squalling vocals. "MF From Hell" (that's Mother Fucker in case your wondering) is next and is an instant classic; a pounding, driving riff over which Dolf De Datsun yelps and screams as if his life depended on it, as it the aforementioned MF was standing right there in front of him and Dolf was about to rip his head off. Damn, how long has it been since we heard a band simply rock out in such an un-self-conscious manner? These guys even play over the top wigged out guitar solos. How very unfashionable. How very pre-Nirvana. How fucking brilliant!

"Lady" shows the band also know what melody is, and when they step off the gas for a moment and come up with a song like this you realise there is real longevity in this band. They are here for the long haul and have proven it by touring incessantly everywhere they could get a gig over the past two years. It has paid off, the band breaking the UK months ago and now on the cusp of huge success in America. In fact the Americans should lap this stuff up, considering the albums AC/DC and the Ramones have sold in that continent. "Harmonic Generator" is the obvious single choice, a huge modern style chorus and a more controlled level of riffage when compared with the rest of the album. "Fink for the Man" is a rallying call against the modern A&R man, the so called talent scout more interested in what a band looks like than whether they can play. It works brilliantly because you know the Datsuns really mean it. A different era, a different century, a different sound, but in spirit very similar to the DC's "Long way to the top (if you wanna rock'n'roll)". On "You Build Me Up" the band really go for it, and at over five minutes this is the most involved song on the album. It reaches a powerful crescendo in the chorus before breaking down in the middle for a bit of band interplay. You know it is going to erupt again and when it does its rousing punch the air stuff.

The only problem with this album as far as I'm concerned is it's all over too quickly, leaving you gasping for more of the same. But hey! That's how the classic albums of days gone by always worked. Basically I love AC/DC, and this band is definitely a modern day equivalent. The riffs are monstrous, so too the solos. The vocals are way over the top. The subject matter is rock'n'roll and fun, not the usual "whoa is me I'm so depressed" shite served up in this post-irony rock age. Live, the band smash stuff and stage dive, anything it takes to whip the crowd into a frenzy - rock 'n' roll the way it used to be and always should be. Wouldn't it be great if they got to support the DC when they tour their new album next year? Now that would be a double whammy if ever there were one. So Angus and Co, get this band on the road with you and hand over the mantle to the young pretenders!

Further Listening: AC/DC "High Voltage", The Ramones "Loud Fast Ramones, their Toughest Hits".

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