Dig What You Need is a compilation comprised of the best tracks from the two albums The Undertones have released since reforming, Get What You Need (2003) and Dig Yourself Deep (2007), as usual without Feargal Sharkey who has been replaced by the more than capable Paul Mcloone alongside Damian O'Neill, John O'Neill, Michael Bradley and Billy Doherty. These songs are being released for the first time on vinyl and have all been remixed by the albums producer Paul Tipler.
The A-side opens with the urgent new wave poppy punk of Thrill Me that sounds a lot like classic The Undertones, with some super nifty guitar work and bruised lyrics and vocals from current singer Paul McLoone who while obviously sounding Irish doesn't have quite as pronounced an accent as Fergal Sharkey did.
Enough is a cool slice of power pop punk with smart lyrics about another relationship that has hit the sweet spot, as he's more than happy to know, that it's Enough to know you care and are near him, which is a sweet sentiment.
Here Comes The Rain has cool buzzing guitars and heartfelt lyrics as they keep to the bands tried and tested formula of making very catchy Pop punk new wave style tunes that flash by in less that 3 minutes generally.
She's So Sweet has a brilliantly insistent guitar line and some nice backing vocals as we find out just why She's So Sweet and thankfully it is not in any way saccharine or sickly.
Fight My Corner slows things down a bit, it all revolves around a sparse guitar line and semi whispered vocals as they fight to stay in the relationship.
You Can't Say that is garage punk blues shouter with some brilliant guitar to emphasize just how much they want to make sure you don't utter those words again.
We All Talked About You is a super speedy song of lust and love and has so much energy while sounding like it would fit on a great shoegaze comp as much as an indie or punk comp a great super short guitar solo seals the deal a great song.
The B-side opens Oh Please a frantic plea for more understanding and having a slight dig or two at Dublin bands as everyone bounces along to this as it speeds by.
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Dig Yourself Deep has cool backing vocals and soaring guitars as the main message of the song to keep doing stuff and not let yourself get buried.
Winter Sun is a far slower more reflective song probably best heard in the middle of winter on a bitterly cold day as you hope that Winter Sun might give you some warmth and comfort for the girl you're missing.
I Need Your Love The Way It Used To Be is a fine garage rocker like Mood Six used to make, it sounds familiar from the moment it comes on, which is no bad thing as it chugs along at a cracking place.
Joyland almost sounds like Chris Spedding could have been writing a reply to this song, with his tune of the same name, this also didn't need a special guest appearance from Ian McShane to make it special, as they tell us they want to be here in Joyland which is where you'll be if you listen to this album.
The cd and digital versions come with a bonus track of I'm Recommending Me as they put themselves forward for all sorts of positions, such as Great Irish Garage punk bands, Powerpop maestros, Fun bands to hear. Yes I'd recommend this album as it's great fun.
Find out more at https://theundertones.bandcamp.com/ https://orcd.co/undertonesdig https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTheUndertones
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