Motoring

Kiwis and Aussies have held the torch for hard rock while the light has faded in the Northern Hemisphere. New Zealand band The Datsuns join contemporaries Jet and Silverchair with a ‘70s inspired garage rock sound. Think Bad Company without the raspy vocals. Recently released fourth album Headstunts is self-produced with brash swagger.Opening track “Human Error” sets the tone with fast and rowdy riffs. The album is full of indulgent, metal-esque guitar solos on songs “Somebody Better,” “So Long” and “Yeah, Yeah, Just Another Mistake.” The intro of the latter sounds similar to The Stooges “I Wanna Be Your Dog.” “Eye of the Needle” contains an accretion of instrumental sounds, with the drummer riding the hi-hat. It is an interesting hallucinogenic track. If only the vocals weren’t so matte it would be great. Download worthy songs are “Ready, Set, Go!” and “Cruel Cruel Fate,” both catchy and pogo danceable.

Headstunts is visceral but squeals more than rocks. It is an invigorating resurgence of the genre but unfortunately there aren’t enough hooks that stick with the listener to make it a classic album.