Search - Ned's Atomic Dustbin :: Brainbloodvolume

A band that evolved

mike miller | allentown, pa USA | 06/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this is a great final nail in the coffin for an amazing band. Too many bands today put out a hit record, then try and duplicate the same thing for their next couple of releases. Ned's evolved and grew with each album. Bite came out, they were young and getting their feet wet. God Fodder was released, they played as fast and hard as they could. Are You Normal showed growth in their songwriting, creative breaks, they learned how to slow a song down and build it back up again. Then this CD brought in some computers, and showed a band they wanted to evolve to stay fresh. Too bad their label didn't promote them well enough, they began to hate each other, and the narrow-minded fans of God Fodder who wanted a re-hashing of that record didn't get brainbloodvolume.
As a musician, I've always enjoyed discovering artists that were before my time, and I'd think about what was popular at that time, and that would show how much a band was pushing the envelope. If you think about what was on the radio in the mid-90's, and then listen to this record, you will know how far ahead of their time Ned's was.
This CD has the heaviness in All I Ask...., the danciness with a drum machine meshing with live drums in track 3, and the cool poppy slow-fast-slow hit potential of Stuck. If you like diverse styles and sounds, give this CD a shot.
I had the pleasure of seeing Ned's about a dozen times, and they are one of my favorite bands ever. Creativity with the pep, the two really don't exist nowadays, which is quite a shame. Can't even imagine what level they'd be on now if they were still together, it boggles my mind."

British answer to grunge?

Pessimystica | Austin, TX | 07/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Um, that editorial review was a bit tired & silly. What's so teeny bopper about the rhythms???? And by the way, Candlebox was on it's way out of the popular eye by the time these guys were touring in the states...just ignore his useless, inaccurate comments. This is a really good album, & a really good band. I just happened to see them live twice in 1995 (once at a music fest & then again with Sponge) shortly before they broke up the same year. That was also why I got this album, which I listened to a LOT then... & it's still enjoyable. I have noticed this has had very mixed reviews... so mixed that I often see it sharply discounted at record stores. But hey, just cuz it's cheap doesn't mean it's not any good!! Unfortunately, amongst all the other cheapies it gets thrown with, I can imagine people take one look & easily dismiss it without even giving it a chance. I was very surprised to find out these guys were British, cuz they don't sound pigeonholed into just "American" or just "British". In some ways, Bush kinda went in a similar direction with grungy guitar sounds, but these guys also add electronic effects & 2, ya 2, bass guitar players. I think it was this conglomeration of sounds that attracted me to them when I saw them. The album has ups & downs as far as intensity, but never lets off too much. At the start of the album, you better keep your stereo down or else the first track will blow you away after the first minute. "Floote" has a catchy flute riff... sampled or electronic... & it still rocks as much as the previous. The modern rock single "Stuck" is one of the slowest tracks on the album, so if that's the only one you've heard & you want something that rocks more, just keep listening. There's not anything to skip over, you can just keep driving & jamming. It rocks throughout, & the vocalist never has to scream needlessly, like COUNTLESS other bands. While some bands try to be all loud & distorted or just all mellow without any variance of moods, this mixes it just right. Sure, I like those kinds of bands too, but as far as keeping me interested as a listener, this does it just right for me. I still haven't gotten around to getting the "God Fodder" album, which I know I should have since I like this one so much. Just get this if you're even remotely curious, or need some more good mid-90's rock to add to your collection. Just proof that the 90's has a LOT of hidden rock gems!! *Sigh*, I miss bands with variety."

Just ignore Jim DeRogatis.

Jonathan M. Leblanc | 09/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ignore Jim DeRogatis, most do.

That is why he writes for the Sun Times.



This final Ned's album is their best, and most honest work.

If Ned's happens to sound fatigued, as DeRogatis states, it is only because they very much were at this point of their careers.

I highly recommend this album for any post-punk music lovers.

While you're at it, buy some Babyland, too.



Vortis sucks."