Are You Normal?
Ned's Atomic Dustbin · 1992
46 min · 13 tracks · alternative rock
A frenetic blend of jangly guitars and punk-infused melodies that captures the raw energy of early '90s alternative rock.
Top tracks — play these first
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Suave and Suffocated — Opening with a driving rhythm and catchy hooks, this track encapsulates the band's signature sound and sets the tone for the album's high-energy vibe.
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Tantrum — This track features frantic instrumentation paired with sharp lyrics, showcasing the band's ability to balance chaos with melodic sensibility.
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Walking Through Syrup — With its infectious chorus and playful lyrics, this song highlights Ned's Atomic Dustbin's knack for creating memorable pop-influenced rock anthems.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album captures early '90s alternative rock energy with its dynamic shifts and dual vocals, though it lacks some cohesion.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a high energy level with fast tempos and aggressive guitar riffs, while the second half introduces more varied dynamics.
- Several tracks feature dual vocal lines that create a call-and-response effect, enhancing the punk-infused melodies.
- The album includes abrupt tempo changes, particularly in tracks like 'Tantrum' and 'Fracture', which disrupt the flow but add to the frenetic feel.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Not Sleeping Around
The verses present a confrontational tone, directly addressing societal norms about relationships and fidelity.
This direct confrontation challenges expectations in a playful yet biting manner, illustrating the band's critique of conventional attitudes.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Suave and Suffocated 3:46
- 2 Walking Through Syrup 2:42
- 3 Legoland 3:11
- 4 Swallowing Air 4:12
- 5 Who Goes First? 4:30
- 6 Tantrum 4:29
- 7 Not Sleeping Around 3:13
- 8 You Don't Want to do That 3:32
- 9 Leg End in His Own Boots 3:07
- 10 Two and Two Made Five 3:51
- 11 Fracture 1:25
- 12 Spring 3:16
- 13 Intact 4:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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