GET STUFFED
NED'S ATOMIC DUSTBIN
'God Fodder' (Furtive) ****
FROM SOMEONE who was supposedly on the Neds' journalist hit list, this
is going to seem like a major turnaround, but to understand the Neds'
appeal you have to view them on their own terms, not alongside contemporaries
like Mega City 4 who, by rights, should have attained this level of
popularity.
Still, there's no doubting the Neds have paid their dues, and for those
caught up in their whirlwind rise to fame 'God Fodder' won't disappoint.
What will, though, is the inclusion of no less than four previous singles,
which is either down to big bad record company marketing policy or simply
the fact that the band didn't have enough songs.
So, it's a re-recorded 'Kill Your Television' which sparks the ignition
for the obvious excitement and enthusiasm which bubbles throughout the
remainder of 'God Fodder'.
There's an obvious maturity to the newer songs as they glide along on
a much improved doubted-pronged bass foundation, and although the first
side falters towards the end, it only serves to make side two all the
better.
'Capital Letters' sways with adolescent vibrancy, Jonn singing "She'll
break some hearts when she grows up/She'll break some hearts when she
owns up/Mine is one like the direct heartbroken descendant
of Feargal Sharkey - and indeed, the Undertones' wonderful disposable-but-nice
aura shines right through Stourbridge's finest.
Top 20 single 'Happy' not only managed to mention the word "antiquated"
on Top Of The Pops but was also that prize rarity, a worthy 'pop song'
in the charts. Which is also where the fiery 'Until You Find Out' should
have ended up- but it's when the final anti-parental guidance anthem
'What Gives My Son?' begins with an angry father shouting "You
look like a goddamn girl", that the Neds' teenage rebel
potential becomes apparent.
For they really would be part of the audience if they weren't in the
band, and with most of their devotees either first year students taking
that first tentative step towards independence or schoolkids bunking
off exam revision to see them live, Ned's Atomic Dustbin are ideal companions
with the same problem parents and problematic relationships.
The effect may wear thin in time but for today, and today only, 'God
Fodder' is the most instantly likeable and damn near essential pop experience
you can have - as for tomorrow, well who ever cared about tomorrow anyway?
Andy Peart