WHO'S IN THE BIN?
NED'S ATOMIC DUSTBIN
God Fodder (Furtive)
After growing in the shadow of local rivals The Wonder Stuff and Pop
Will Eat Itself, Ned's Atomic Dustbin are gradually emerging as a compelling
force, thanks to their frantic guitar sound, increasing maturity and
adrenaline-fuelled gigs.
Initially, the adolescent angst of songs like 'What Gives Son' and the
thrashy anthem 'Kill Your Television' (both included on the LP) struck
a powerful chord with their young Midland following. But as God Fodder
demonstrates, the straight kick and chase approach of their older material
is being replaced by more ingenious song arrangements. For instance,
bridges, intros and shifts in tempo are used to good effect on 'Selfish',
'Nothing Like' and the recent single, 'Happy', while two bass players
(how very Spinal) are deployed profitably to create melodic, rhythmic
chord-changes beneath the caustic thrash. 'Capital Letters' is a real
gem, twitching and jerking energetically over a great bassline, and
the tumbling, percussive 'Your Complex' is another high-point.
Lyrically the Neds are also showing signs of moving away from their
semi-autobiographical, adolescent inspiration into more ambiguous and
cynical themes. 'Happy' is a seductive combination of upbeat and introspective
moods, and the impressive 'Selfish' is stung alive by the frictional
humour of the opening: "Why don't you wake up and smell
what you're shovelling?"
That said, the stuff that gets under pubescent skins is still present
in the older material, notably the father/son arguments in 'What Gives
Son'.
God Fodder is fast and furious, tuneful, and with
enough twist and guile to sustain interest - but there are weaknesses.
The relish of their live shows doesn't transfer to tracks like 'Grey
Cell Green' and 'Less Than Useful', and their frenetic drum sound occasionally
strangles the basslines and guitars ('You' and 'Until You Find Out').
So it's a promising debut from a fast-developing band, but the Neds
have yet to emerge fully from their infectious riot, to really come
into their own. 'Happy' and 'Capital Letters' point the way.
(7) Steve Malins