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The Datsuns
by
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The Datsuns Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the debut full-length release for the New Zealand rockers, who have drawn comparisons to everyone from The Stooges and AC/DC to, of course, the White Stripes, and have been the subject of fawning articles in the UK music press (but then again, who hasn't) in recent months.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. Stylus Magazine
    92
    They rock hard and fast and damn the stylistic similarities, because they have as much energy and explosive tendencies that even the Stooges themselves showed back in their heyday.
  2. Austin Chronicle
    89
    If the Datsuns' retro sound is currently getting them Strokes/Stripes levels of hype, their blow-the-doors-off passion should allow them to leave their peers in the dust.
  3. Dot Music
    80
    You've heard this album before then, but it's never sounded quite this crazed and pressed for time.
  4. AllMusic
    60
    The Datsuns re-create the sound of a beer- and weed-fueled Saturday night in 1973, borrowing and blending the revving guitar riffs and choked, macho vocals of Thin Lizzy, Bad Company, .38 Special, and on occasion, the hornier side of Led Zeppelin.
  5. Uncut
    60
    It helps that these 10 primitive songs are excellent, and that The Datsuns attack them with such vehemently anti-ironic gusto. [Nov 2002, p.118]
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  6. The A.V. Club
    60
    With so much apparent calculation involved, it makes sense that the group's self-titled debut is neither as good nor as bad as it might have been.
  7. Pitchfork
    28
    If The Datsuns serve any purpose, it's to remind us that 70s glam/garage-rock was largely accountable for the abomination that was 80s hair-metal.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. DavidS
    Dec 22, 2005
    10
    If you're into pure rock and roll and amazing powerful riffs then it's outstanding.
  2. Jen?
    Jun 1, 2003
    10
    Bloody Briliant! Love it
  4. WilliamM
    Sep 6, 2003
    10
    FUCKING AWESOME, more great Kiwi Music
  5. GarethH
    Dec 4, 2002
    9
    it's about time we had some kick ass heavy metal!!!!!! better than the yankie shit
  6. MattL
    Mar 3, 2003
    9
    Resistance to The Datsuns, quite frankly, is useless. And to say that they're irony free is probably an assumption made from either: a) Resistance to The Datsuns, quite frankly, is useless. And to say that they're irony free is probably an assumption made from either: a) never seeing their frantic show live OR b) not listening to the parodic affectations Dolf adopts As such, The Datsuns is nothing new, but then, neither should it be. It is all about taking rawk back to the stone age, with songs about girls and parties, but mostly girls. So Dolf's hooked and he can't help staring in "Sittin' Pretty", he suffers at the hands of a "Motherf...er from hell", he screams for his "Lady" to take him back, even thouhg she's nothin' but a "Harmonic Generator". If you want something original, you've come to the wrong place, but if you want something FUN, then this is your soulmate. Enjoy.… Expand
  7. Francis
    Nov 18, 2002
    8
    Pitchforkmedia again proving that they are more concerned with keeping up their indie image than giving albums a chance. They really are a Pitchforkmedia again proving that they are more concerned with keeping up their indie image than giving albums a chance. They really are a tiresome magazine. Album is good. Nothing revolutionary, but I'd rather this be popular than pop.… Expand
  8. BenJ.
    Nov 15, 2002
    3
    Oh hurrah! It's alright to like AC/DC again, metal is back and there's no trace of irony. No, sorry. This album is very poor. Oh hurrah! It's alright to like AC/DC again, metal is back and there's no trace of irony. No, sorry. This album is very poor. Gimmicky RAWK that will sound very, very tired in no time.… Expand

See all 8 User Reviews