Customer Reviews

Outta Sight Outta Mind

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Here's a cool idea: A band that straddles the fence between garage rock and hard-rock. It has no gimmick, save that the band members all call themselves "Datsun." They don't have funny costumes. They don't have a theme. They don't openly imitate retro bands, though they are influenced. They love adrenaline-charged guitar'n'bass rock, and that's what they play. What do you call that? I call it the roots of rock'n'roll -- back when it was all about the turbocharged music.

After a solid self-titled debut, the New Zealand rockers return with an equally solid sophomore album, "Outta Sight Outta Mind." They still have that wonderful bass-heavy, slightly fuzzy sound, reminiscent of Led Zeppelin at their peak -- which isn't hurt by the fact that John Paul Jones (of Led Zeppelin) produced "Outta Sight."

They may not have the flamboyance of the Darkness or the acidic sharpness of the Hives, but the Datsuns have that stripped-down rock flavor. "Blacken My Thumb" opens the album on a fast-driving, hard-rock note, followed up by the cascading riffs of "Lucille," or the percussion-heavy catchiness of "Hong Kong Fury." They sound a bit softer in songs like "What I've Lost," which still rocks as it talks about a girl's pretty face.

Musically they're a lot tighter this time around than they were in "The Datsuns." And they aren't trying to be ironic or too cool. They're just rocking, and they sound pretty passionate about it -- snares, electric guitars and roaring bass all sound ready to explode. Everything runs at a breakneck pace, except "What I've Lost," which is the sweetest song they've done... and it isn't even a ballad.

Definitely the themes aren't too original -- it's mostly about pulling girls and playing rock. These songs were apparently written on the road in mid-tour, so there isn't too much more than that. It's not incredible, but it's definitely not badly written either. It's just... well, it sounds like a rock tour from the inside of the bus.

Is it wildly original and innovative, or multi-dimensional and deep? Not too much. Rather, the Datsuns refine their sound and give it a new jolt, harkening back to when rock was a way of life. In short, it's fun and it rocks.

Great stuff! Genius!...But just why in the flaming depths is it so expensive?!

This is the second album from the New Zealand band. They hit like a big truck two years with their first album. I saw them play live two years ago and couldn't believe it. They have a lot of talent and conviction bringing back exciting rock. The only problem is The Darkness. The Darkness seemed to come in last year and steal the thunder. The first Datsuns album was near perfect. Even with John Paul Jones on board, they would have pull off a miracle to better themselves. With songs like "Blacken My Thumb" and "Messin' Around" you would think they have answered the tall order. "Messin' Around" even seems like a song from the first album. While the album is pretty rocking it seems like they rushed it. The album loses focus halfway through and you are left scratching your head. Maybe live these songs are a hell of a lot better. The Datsuns can deliver onstage. They spent a lot of time on the road and maybe didn't have enough time to revolt against generic sounds.

Hey - I don't care WHERE this group is from - the Datsuns are one of the best new groups on the scene right now. This is one opening act (currently on tour with the Pixies), you DON'T want to miss. I'd say Frank Black and co. are a pretty good judge of talent and they are giving this group a big opportunity (and rightly so) to take advantage of some serious exposure among alternative (whatever the h#ll that means) audiences.

I was quite impressed by their set and immediately went out and purchased their two CDs. The music is unabashedly fast, hard, and loud, high-octane, unadulterated rock and roll. Yep, that description is pretty corn-ball, and yep, that description is dead-on Datsuns.

These guys play with energy and a lot of attitude. Its all very welcome in my book. I like their moxey. I've had enough of 1) angst-ridden, whiny crap bands 2) preachy, political groups telling me who I should vote for and what to think, and 3) deep, self-important "artists" who take themselves WAY too seriously.

These guys get back to the basics - sex, drugs, and rock and roll - kind of like the nihilistic, guitar-driven rock of Janes Addiction back in the Nineties. Take one part Bon Scott's AC/DC, one part early Zeppelin, and one part Cheap Trick (before they sucked) - turn the amp up to "11" and speed it up.

You can tell this was produced by John Paul Jones--yeah, him. This is chunky hard rock from the Datsuns. Great heavy guitar based music, ready to blast the roof off. It has that meaty bass drive that is so typical of Jones' production. Think Presense without the funk and on steroids

Ready for some of the good ol' romp and roll. Get this.

If I haven't owned their self titled album already, I wouldn't be as disappointed with this release. There are only a few songs that come close to the level of rock on the self titled album. Blacken My Thumb and I Got No Words are the standouts of the CD and some of the middle tracks have the feeling of bland filler. If you have interest in the Datsuns, get their first album and wait for their next one to come out.

Not quite as good as their first album, but really how can they measure up to that? Don't get me wrong the album is good just not as mind blowing as the first one. Some of the lyrics are a bit weak eg. "Hong Kong Fury / I'm talkin bout some Hong Kong Fury" ??? You'll see what I mean. Mabey this one just takes a little longer to get into but it doesn't live up to the hype. But their live show will blow your mind, see them when they come to Toronto in November w/The Pixies you won't be dissapointed with that.

It's solid. Nothing mindblowing (not that I expected that) but it's a young band playing some nice hard rock. It's good dirty fun etc. Not original, but fun.

This album marks the return of one of the most promising bands to come out in recent years.
The other guy who reviewed this album either above or below this review, called the producer(not the director)Jon Bon Zeppelin? What was that...Its John Paul Jones. That guy doesnt know what hes talking about, so just get the album itll be worth the money.

These guys are real rawl rock.Theres nothing fake about them. Some of fuzzyness and lose sounds thats come a classic Datsuns trasdemark have gone and it is much cleaner and sharper sound which is a bit dissapointing. But I love it more then I loved their first album! All in all these Kiwis are hugh in Europe, Aussie and N.Z. If you don't buy this CD you're losing out. I Love it and I've been to 8 Datsuns concerts in NZ so I know what Im talking about!