The Datsuns: Smoke and Mirrors, Steriogram: This Is Not The Target Market

When the Datsuns started out in Cambridge during the mid-90s they had a simple philosophy: play rock'n'roll, release records, and gig. It took a while, but it worked.

Unlike most New Zealand bands they managed to take their music to the world through scorching live shows and blistering tunes such as MF From Hell and Freeze Sucker from their self-titled debut album.

The only problem was their second album - Outta Sight/Outta Mind, with Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones as producer - bombed. Fair enough, it was drab. So it's good news that their third album Smoke and Mirrors is the sound of the Datsuns playing rock'n'roll and sounding more accomplished.

Smoke and Mirrors is a keeper because there's more to it. There's the uplifting gospel of All Aboard, and eight-minute last track, Too Little Fire; the rowdy anthems remain in the form of Who Are You Stamping Your Foot For?; and the blues slide-guitar and raunch of first single Stuck Here For Days is the best example of maturity.

Singer Dolf de Datsun diversifies too. Instead of whooping and warbling he screams, shouts and stomps his feet on System Overload, shows passionate restraint on the beautiful Waiting For Your Time To Come, and soars like a rock'n'roll crooner on the raging Blood Red.

Most importantly, Smoke and Mirrors gives you that feeling of wild expectation about seeing the Datsuns live.

Steriogram are another local band who have had mixed fortunes in recent years.

First there was the hype of iPod ads and overseas record company signings. But on their debut album, Schmack - with tracks that included Go, Tsunami and Walkie Talkie Man - they just sounded like a quirky Kiwi rock band.

On their second album This Is Not the Target Market Steriogram are more like the band they might have been if a major label hadn't got its hands on them. In fact, on Wasted they sound like a bunch of rough white trash bogans; or, as on Sitting Above Me, a gang of punk rockers.

While Tyson Kennedy's rap-snarl ensures that the quirky side of Steriogram remains, the new album is raw, gutsy and refreshing. However, it's not entirely engaging - there's the whining Just Like You, and the annoyingly yobbish Karekare.

Sometimes their influences are too obvious. Opening track Get Up is vicious, but rips off Queens of the Stone Age tracks Little Sister and You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar. And the backing vocals are raspy, like Jaz Coleman from Killing Joke. Steriogram have always had a sense of humour and charm, which is why they are such a popular live band, and that continues with the tongue-in-cheek Satan Is A Lady. And the chant of "You can find your own way home buddy" on Own Way Home could just be the sing-along hit of summer - especially at New Year's.

While it's not all inspiring there's unbridled energy here and it's coming to a pub near you.

The Datsuns: Smoke and Mirrors
Herald rating: * * * *
Label: EMI
Verdict: Tight jeans must be good for you because this is the best yet from Cambridge rockers

Steriogram: This Is Not The Target Market
Herald rating: * * *
Label: Short Stack Records/Rhythmethod
Verdict: A rough and ready rather than wacky approach on second album