With the kiwi band’s first two albums paying homage to AC/DC and Led Zep respectively, The Datsuns have always been a reassuringly uncomplicated rock 'n' roll band. However, just occasionally the listener wants to be taken on the sonic scenic route, to be treated to a little invention, to hear a band break free of stereotype.
Unfortunately, despite a title that hints at illusion and magic, The Datsuns’ third album Smoke And Mirrors is another blast from the past. Head down, it hurtles from point A to B, eschewing subtlety, the guitars and rhythms relentless, the caterwauling vocal doing little to alleviate what is, in the main, a pedestrian plod along roads oft-travelled. Admittedly there is a certain knuckle-headed charm evident in ‘Who Are You Stamping Your Foot For?’, a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am of a song that provides plenty of bang for your buck.
Generally though, the disappointingly monogamous, retro-devotion of the material renders this a sadly passé affair. What’s particularly infuriating is that within Smoke And Mirrors there are occasional hints towards a greater maturity and diversity of sound. ‘System Overload’ sees The Datsuns get in touch with their pop side, the keyboards providing the requisite pep and counterpoint to those garage-rock guitars, whilst ‘Blood Red’ flirts brazenly with the more playful side of punk. It’s just enough to earn The Datsuns a temporary reprieve.
five point five/ten