Ruta66 (Spain) Review High on the Low Brow

Reviewer Eduardo Izquierdo, read original HERE

There are bands that don't see rock as an exercise in nostalgia, but as a living language that continues to embrace new combinations. That's where Datura4 maintains its appeal. Far from chasing trends or masking their sound with contemporary production, the Australian group proves once again in High On The Low Brow that boogie, electric blues, and psychedelia can still sound fresh when backed by truly great songs. Four years after Neanderthal Jam , the band led by Dom Mariani delivers another chapter fully consistent with their trajectory, and inspired enough to avoid any sense of repetition.

"Under A Rock" opens the album with authority, establishing from the outset the balance between power and groove that is maintained throughout. "Getting Through" retains the sense of spontaneity that comes from being the product of a jam session in the rehearsal space. And "Double Dealer" and "Mind Sailor" demonstrate that they understand rock through movement rather than volume. The production also works in favor of the final result. The achieved sound retains a certain rawness, far removed from the excessively compressed mixes that dominate much of today's rock. Some listeners may miss a greater risk or more radical changes, but that has never been the band's objective, as we mentioned at the beginning. They remain one of the most reliable names in Australian rock because they constantly remind us that a handful of good songs, a few riffs, several memorable melodies, and a professional band like few others are more than enough to make us happy.