Hypnotised

The Undertones self-titled debut album was *so* good that it would be near impossible to top it. Well, *Hynotised* comes as close as possible to matching it. The band’s stunning power still pumps through their veins. ”There Goes Norman,” “Hypnotised” and “Whizz Kids” kick up the dirt with their relentless charges and their wits intact. A cover of “Under The Boardwalk” features singer Feargal Sharkey sounding like he’s about to have a nervous breakdown and the band helps him along by rushing the tempo until he’s disappeared into the sea. “More Songs About Chocolate and Girls” nods towards the Talking Heads and makes light of the difficulties surrounding a band that just recorded a definitive debut album. Recorded in the Netherlands with producer Roger Bechirian, the album has a consistent flow and more classic punk-pop that shows the band could expand into subtler areas when provoked. “Wednesday Week” adds more color to the band’s brutal attack, while ‘What’s With Terry?” hints at the reggae that enthralled much British punk.