The fourth album by New Zealand rockers The Datsuns is mostly a more-of-the-same kind of affair, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, after a couple of less-than-memorable releases – including their second album, produced by none other than Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones – Headstunts is somewhat of a throwback to the high energy, ’70s-style r-a-w-k that US listeners first got a taste of on their 2002 self-titled debut. “Highschool Hoodlums” recalls nothing if not their own “MF From Hell,” in in intent if not in sound. Other tasty sonic nuggets abound, such as the surf-y “Hey! Paranoid People!,” the grungy groove of “Your Bones” and the extended raunch ‘n’ roll of “Eye of the Needle.” While this album certainly isn’t going to start a new musical revolution, and the Datsuns aren’t the saviors of rock ‘n’ roll, Headstunts is a solid-if-safe effort that will still hit your gut a lot harder than your head, which, again, is not necessarily a bad thing. (Cooking Vinyl)
