Thursday, February 4, 2010

The Undertones - Dig Yourself Deep (2007)

The Undertones, the band themselves, have been basking in their pristine pop reputation since their reformation in 1999. With four original members intact and relatively recent addition Paul McLoone on vocals, the group may have struggled to break out of nostalgia corner yet they thoroughly rock it live. Following 2003's tentative Get What You Need, Dig Yourself Deep is a work that can be mentioned in the same breath as their earlier greats. A proper old-fashioned 'record', it packs in 14 songs in just under 33 minutes and plays on the group's inherent strengths, taut, densely melodic rock, embracing the past yet focussed on the future. The title track is brim full of hooks and a great addition to their canon, while the rhythmic "Fight My Corner" nods towards the O’Neill Brothers’ other great act, "That Petrol Emotion". Were it released by The Twang, this album would garner a great deal more press and airplay. Dig Yourself Deep is a very pleasant surprise. It possesses all the hallmarks of Derry's finest: brevity and panache under a wall of noise.

Tracklist:

1. Dig Yourself Deep
2. So Close
3. Here Comes The Rain
4. Everything You Say Is Right
5. Him Not Me
6. We All Talked About You
7. Fight My Corner
8. Precious Little Wonder
9. Tomorrow's Tears
10. Easy Way Out
11. Happy Valley
12. Move Right In
13. She's So Sweet
14. I'm Recommending Me

Link