The Datsuns - Head Stunts

Due to the arrival of a new member, drummer Ben Cole, the Datsuns have said that ‘Headstunts’ was to them like a first album; and it’s true that they sound terribly motivated and willing to demonstrate their ability to make you rock, with the same enthusiasm as freshers. And it works quite well, for instance with ‘The Eye Of The Needle’, driven by a obstinate bass line, or ‘Somebody Better’, the last track, which loses itself in long instrumental moments.

However, ‘Head Stunts’ sounds more like a collection of singles (of radio hits) than an album with a soul. In the end, it all smacks of high school rebellion and that’s a bit boring. As far as ‘teen’ music is concerned, it’s not that difficult to sound ‘not too bad’ regarding the general level of it - but is that enough to make a good album?

It’s pop music that could potentially sell quite well, but that does not pretend to have any proper personality. Happily this unpretentiousness makes the band still rather sympathetic.