Ned’s Atomic Dustbin
Hibernation
Having been entirely absent from the single market for over 10 years, ‘Hibernation’ is something of an appropriate name for Neds Atomic Dustbin. Having missed these boys the first time around, I have to admit that I was expecting a ‘dodgy old-men reliving their youth’ record stuck in the past and not entirely deserving to survive the new millennium.
Now there are some moments in this song that prove me right, the chorus has a certain eighties ring to it and the vocal is too crisp and tuneful to be amongst the current hitlist of popular ‘drunk vocal’ bands. However, the track isn’t held back by any of these factors, bouncing along regardless of it’s origins like a kid in a Beatle-suit – you know, the one’s without collars.
The guitars add plenty of complexity to the song, at times floating in an ethereal style that’s barely detectable and taking total control later to drive things along. The chunky bass is a genuine star of the show too, taking sections like the introduction and adding tons of flair while retaining the rhythmic control over the music.
The best moment in the song comes as the vocal trails off with ‘It’s all forgotten’, the instruments break into a driving bridge that suddenly emerges into a brief but brilliant solo.
It’s about hibernation, but it’s also about metamorphosis and the lyrics reflect this theme. Neds Atomic Dustbin might be as new to you as they are to me, or they might be a familiar acquaintance. Either way, ‘Hibernation’ is great track that will appeal to indie, pop and light-rock fans in equal measures.
Written by Fenton on
