Hypnotised

Hypnotised is dumb pop-punk fun from a band that seems smart enough to see the value in such a thing. The melodies and riffs are catchy, and while it's far from a unique sound (even the vocalist's almost-bleating style reminded me of Roxy Music on occasion), I figured it was from further on in the 80s than it was. I feel like I'm getting an incomplete picture going into it blind given that there appears to be a theme of avoiding a sophomore slump for this second album, but the band feels genuine in their insecurities, making the irony of a track like "More Songs About Chocolate and Girls" come off less smug than it may be coming from another group. Cutting a track or two would probably make for a more enjoyable complete listen, but if I was thumbing through the soundtrack menu of a late-era Tony Hawk game, where this music sounds like it belongs, I wouldn't toggle any of them off. Key Tracks: Here Comes Norman, Under the Boardwalk, Hard Luck

And this is exactly why I wanted to join this group. Why have I never heard of these guys? And I'm from Canada where we love everything from the UK (apparently). UK music gets plenty of airtime. I've been going through 90's rock recently discovering some of the pioneering UK bands from that era (that are excellent) and I'd put these guys in that mix for 70's-80's punk. Just as good as any Ramones album. Loved it all - and now I've got a band to go listen to more of.

Genre: Pop Punk 2/5 Man, this thing turned into absolute mush towards the end for me. The whiny vocals want to sound like Jello Biafra so bad, the playing is fast but totally boring and uninspired, and this is another example of an album that just shouldn't be in this book. It was 15 songs, and nearly 40 mins worth, of the exact same material over and over again. A few songs slowed it down, and there were a few covers that kept it interesting, but this album faded into the background like a ghost. Really boring, really stale, and really annoying. Will not listen to this one again.

I was underwhelmed by the undertones.

This one didn’t do much for me. That little vibrating thing he was trying to do with his voice was dumb and stupid. Undertones? More like Underwhelming.

The vocal tone is killer. I'm digging the bass work. There Goes Norman is a bop! Man, I am having a lot of fun listening to this album.

Maybe it’s the crappy music I’ve gotten all week making me biased, but this album IS GREAT. Just some northern Irish blokes having a laugh

Somewhat dull album. Felt like the songs were very beach boys Esque but without a lot of the pop flair. Felt that they were more of an 80s rebrand of the 60s pop that wasn’t as good. Did not find that interesting. 4.9/10

The Undertones are one of those bands that really helped lay the groundwork for pop punk. I’ll always have a soft spot for them because back in my late teens, I worked with an old-school punk who introduced me to their music. Since I was deep into new wave at the time, he told me The Undertones were my “beginner punk band” to help bridge the gap between new wave and punk.

It's funny that thing people do where they believe that the order they have discovered music is the order that it was released and that because they've heard two thing with some similarities they believe one is automatically ripping off the other. Look at a couple of the other reviews. The idea that Feargal Sharkey was in any way influenced by Jello Biafra. Hahaha. Listen to the lyrics, read some Wikipedia, ask yourself if Dead Kennedy's records were available in Derry a year earlier than anywhere else in the world, if at all.

“Hypnosis is a human condition involving focused attention …, reduced peripheral awareness, and an enhanced capacity to respond to suggestion.“ -Wikipedia In response to this sophomore album from The Undertones, I had focused attention on the album and reduced peripheral awareness. I’m not sure I had enhanced capacity to respond to suggestion, unless that suggestion was that Hypnotised is a kick ass album. A great find. Thank you 1001!

Love it! Even moreso than their last album we received. Simple pop punk with dumb (but aware) lyrics. Great fun! Top Tracks : “Hypnotised” “Whats With Terry?” “There Goes Norman”

Fun, bouncy listen Even though it’s 45 years old, this could easily find a home on the radio now. Simple beats and rhythms. Appeals to teenage me and my poppy punky leanings

I had an Undertones greatest hits, which means I knew a few songs on here along with some that came before. I actually like this more than the greatest hits. The first song is amazing. It’s a tongue in cheek reference to their first big hits, which is very silly, but it also references some anxieties regarding being a new big band. Like hey now there’s pressure on us we’re trying our best. All the songs are these catchy poppy punk songs. It’s great.

I enjoyed the quirky punk pop. The Undertones have a little Jello Biafra/Dead Kennedys sound with a bit cleaner poppier tone. Though Allmusic calls Under the Boardwalk a misstep, I really enjoyed this cover. Definitely a different fun energy. Overall enjoyable listen.

I wish I had known about this kind of music when I was in high school and it was brand new. Who knows, maybe I would have rejected it because it wasn't the classic rock that I was passionate about, but man I really like it now. I guess I was vaguely aware of bands like the Clash and the Sex Pistols, but punk and post-punk largely escaped my attention. It would have been great to see some of these bands live. In any case, I liked this a lot. I've heard a couple songs by the Undertones, but most of this was new to me. 4 stars.

I like even the weird cover

Fun; sounds just like the album cover

Just a solid punk album. I really enjoyed it. There wasn't much that stood out but it was fun. The lyrics didn't take themselves seriously, the tracks were full of energy, and the production was solid but not polished (which is proper for punk). I liked it.

Not a fan of the album art. Not a great cover of Under the Boardwalk. I like the rhythm on The Way Girls Talk What's with Terry, a solid track to go out on. This is fine.

decent punk sound - okay to me, didn't blow me away.

'Teenage Kicks' is a pretty good single (although maybe not as great as John Peel rated it). But I, in all my years of voraciously consuming all manner of independent and alternative music, have never heard a note or read a word of this album. In the opening songs, Feargal Sharkey sings ""It's never too late to enjoy dumb entertainment", which is an understandable and promising mission statement. I enjoy a fun record of upbeat pop songs as much as anyone. It's just a shame this album isn't that, try as it might. It is almost completely lacking in entertainment value. The songs are banal and forgettable. The production is flat and lacklustre. I suspect that the Undertones were a pretty good live band, but they seem freaked out to be int he studio, and are desperately trying to play 'well', and the attempts to buff off the rough edges has resulted in a polite and anodyne recording with little character or energy, and not a lot of joy. Plus, there is the fact that Feargall Sharkey has one of the most annoying voices in music. Tolerable for maybe 2-3 minutes of a single, an album's worth of his incessant warbling makes me want to scrape out my ears with a rusty fork. Plus, this record has possibly the worst cover art I have ever seen (and that includes 'Alien Lanes' by Guided by Voices). What were they thinking? I am bored and disappointed by this album, and not at all entertained. It fails on its own terms. It's not hateful, but just a boring waste of effort. The only good reason to review this record is to repeat a story I once heard about Feargal Sharkey's 1980s solo career. His record company was trying (with some success) to break him in the USA, and feared that Americans wouldn't know how to pronounce his name. So, they put little pictures to guide pronunciation; a fur coat, a seagull, a shark and a padlock and key. Fur-gull-shark-key. Apparently, however, wags at the record company started to refer to him as "Coatbird Fishlock". And so, forevermore, he shall be Coatbird Fishlock to me.

Another underwhelming album. Doesn't even have the Undertones song that people actually know on it, the rest lacks the edge to be pop, lacks the energy to be proper rock, and lacks the tunefulness to be decently poppy. A straight down the middle 2, it's fine but it all feels like filler.

Ah, more UK punk/new wave crap, this time with a Jello Biafra impression as well. Whatever. Boring amateur shit. 2/5.

One-hit wonders and their one hit isn't even on this album. Seriously why are there 2 Undertone albums on this list? You don't even need 2 songs. A few good songs but in general mediocre, uninspired indie punk.

Die 2. Platte der Undertones in dieser Liste. Leute: die Undertones sind gar nicht mal so gut! 0 Platten der Undertones wäre angebrachter. Kann ich nicht durchhören.

Oh piss off and grow up

Really good, authentic punk album. The Undertones seemed to never really get the credit they deserved.

Great album. New to me

This came out the year I left the nest. I acquired it via cassette recording from my buddies sweet stereo. I probably had over 200 albums off his turntable-to-cassette recording setup, and we’d spending countless hours getting high and putting groves to tape. A waste really, as the cassette era lasted only slightly longer than 8-track. I still have the cassettes, collecting dust in the bottom of my closet. They’d probably snap within moments of hitting play. Damn near useless, but the cases make pretty effective windshield ice scrapers. Yeah, this album is a gem.

This sounds 20 years ahead of Its time, almost like Franz Ferdinand. It's some great alternative with great bass lines. There Goes Norman is the first standout track and had me stick around for some if the anniversary content (which I often will skip if it's not included on the original album), and I'm glad I did because I think The Positive Touch is my favorite here. The lyrics can be pretty juvenile, by my count 5 of the songs have Boy or Girl in the song title and I'm sure way more have hooks that include it. Still, really impressed with this.

Loved it

When I was in my early 20s, I got really interested in learning about my Northern Irish background. I was born in Canada, but my mom's side of the family is from Carnduff, County Antrim. I read a bunch about Belfast, and ended up getting involved with folks Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland, which led to me visiting the place and spending time in Randalstown (also in County Antrim). People kept telling me how "northern" I was - I'd never really felt connected to any particular culture or background, so it was pleasant, though a little bit disconcerting. More recently, I've been thinking about this whole Northern Irish identity that I apparently have, so this record coming up is also disconcerting. I feel like someone is listening. I'd never heard of The Undertones, and even though I'd heard of Feargal Sharkey, I thought that was a band and not a single person. Anyhow, I think I need to listen to this record more and maybe think more about being Irish.

I've listened to this before and didn't get much out of it but now I have no idea how that was possible. So many fun catchy songs. I will definitely be coming back to this one for some good harmless fun. Rating: 4.8

i like the vibe this album brings to the table, tongue-in-cheek and angsty punk songs make me very entertained. songs of girls, songs of simple desires and pleasures... it's my first time hearing these guys and it's a very promising sample of what they're going for. out of all the punk music i've heard, especially those recorded in the late 70s, this one takes the cake when it comes to being ahead of its time; really sounds like the kind of music that would come out a decade later. i love an earnest, no-nonsense and very animated punk rock album. makes me wanna just thrash my body around my room and do whatever moves my instincts make me do.

I've never heard of this band. It's a nice combo of punk and new wave. I like the more frenetic songs. Listened through a few times and enjoyed it more each play. The shortness of the tracks gives it an early rock and roll feel. Solid album and really enjoyable listen.

Loved this, more please

I really liked this album! The warble in the voice was grating on a couple songs but made it more unique. Also likes how they didn’t take themselves to seriously and had fun lyrics/subjects. Nice hooks as well. 4.5/5

Juvenile (teen love) lyrics aside, this is a fun album. Basically '60s bubblegum teen rock meets punk/new wave, with a splash of Beatles and Clash/Buzzcocks here and there. A very easy and enjoyable listen.

Brilliant - I bought it and I still love it.

10/10 album art Feargal Sharkey's voice somehow conveys the desperation of a lovesick teenager more than even Buddy Holly.

Album itself was probably four stars, but the corner of Spotify that I got into after the album was over, was absolutely amazing!

This was great! There wasn't any track on her that I didn't enjoy. I would definitely listen to more by the Undertones. This is a 4.5 star album, but I'm in a good mood, so I'm rounding up.

5/5

Super fun! Would listen to again. Great beats.

Didn’t know this band outside of Teenage Kicks, this album was glorious. How to do churn out this many catchy songs?

"Hypnotised" is the second album by Northern Irish punk rock band the Undertones. Lyrically, the songs focus on teenage angst, boisterousness and heartbreak. Critics found this album more sophisticated than their debut. I'd agree with that. Commercially, the album hit #6 in the UK. The album starts with "More Songs About Chocolate and Girls," an obvious poke at the Talking Heads' album with a similar name. A guitar start which carries the melody. There's layered guitars and a poppy beat. The lyrics are funny and meaningless from what I can make out. "Hypnotised" has a more driving guitar sound. It actually sounded very similar to the guitar sound in today's emo and pop alternative songs. He's in a trance when she dances. They do a decent cover of "Under the Boardwalk." I think this might been some sort of tribute to the 50's/60's pop songs which you can hear in their music. The albums' second side has their two singles. "My Perfect Cousin" has slashing guitar notes, a poppy, bouncey beat and is very, very catchy. People are comparing him to his perfect cousin Kevin and he's not too pleased about it. "Wednesday Week" is lighter with a Spanish sounding acoustic guitar and melodic electric guitar. Lead singer Feargal Sharkey is singing in a higher tone. This is a pleasant song. This album has music that is catchy, melodic, poppy, punk, garage and drving. At times, I really got a 60's pop vibe, particularly the Kinks and Zombies. Sharkey really stretches and strains his vocals. I actually went back and listen to their debut album again. This second album is similar but is more complex with better musicianship, layered guitars and better hooks. Both albums are worth a listen and are highly recommended.

SECOND NORTHERN IRISH ALBUM As a Northern Irish person, I was going to give this 5 anyway (😳) because I want to increase my country’s ratings on this site. However, the melodies are interesting, the songs are catchy and the lyricism is great! I recommend this for anyone of any nationality 😉 I need to listen to lots more punk and post-punk. 10/10.

Excellent record! Great songs, flows nicely.

😁cool

Loved it

This is what punk should be. Fun, breezy, and DGAF.

Fantastic stuff, jaunty, fun and very easy to listen to

Really ended up liking this one and then YouTube took me to more bands of the genre and I really enjoy it :)

Another banger today. I loved this! It's been fun rediscovering my taste for punk thanks to this list. New wave punk? Hell yeah.

chuli, chulito

Sure why not, 5stars

Classic punk, without the legacy of the two biggest bands perhaps. A few all time tracks, but even the surprising covers and less famous songs are great.

9/10 lots of fun, and certainly holds up from their previous album

I’ve enjoyed poppy-punk since the 90’s… so it is pretty fun to go back to the late 70’s and early 80’s to hear some older takes on that genre. I loved The Undertones’ debut album and I love this album. Fun!

So happy to get this. Absolutely love it. Played it a million times at the time. It really reminds me of being a geeky teen (still am geeky!) Listening back it has an authenticity that can't be bought. This is New Wave at it's best. Guitars, drums, bass and Feargal Sharkey. And I did have that Perfect Cousin that is now a millionaire.....it's enough to make you cry.

How have I've only just discovered the Undertones' Hypnotised album? I can't remember having this much fun listening to an album in a long time. And only 40 years too late! Is this the best album ever made? Absolutely not. But this proto poppunk makes me want to move and makes an bop my head. 4,5*

Loved this

Really good. Unmistakably The Undertones. Not as snarky as Sharkey often is. Wednesday Week is the clear stand out track from this album.

Sweet and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I did not expect to like this album as much as I did. I'm surprised I haven't heard of them before. I'm a sucker for happy punk.

I love The Undertones' self titled, but I don't return to this one as much. Still, it's a great album. Maybe closer to 4.5, but I always round up and I've had so many bad albums recently.

The first four Undertones albums are all great (same goes for Skids - not sure if their albums are also on the list but they should). I probably have listened to Hypnotized the most, nonstop catchy pop punk songs.

A great album that reminds me of a better time in music when things were not afraid to be original

Really liked this. Funny songs with good instrumentals.

Excellent punk album.

I love punk, by which I mean the 70s' variant, not Green Day and their ilk. In fact, the music I was weaned on was punk; my brother is 15 years older than me, so I got all his old punk LPs in the 90s. Anyway, depite that, I have never liked the song Teenage Kicks; I found it mawkish and overplayed. It still never really appealed even after I realised it was about wanking. Nevertheless, I lsitened to listen without prejudice and I loved it! The Undertones were really a great adolescent band, and this album showed a slight addition of postpunk jerkiness. Above all, this album is fun, unalloyed joy. What else do you want?

Absolute classic

Big DEVO energy. Good album.

Banger

Love this one.

Loved this. Never heard of this group before, but you can draw a straight line from their sound and style to bands like Less Than Jake and other pop/punk/ska of the 90s.

This is a fun album by a band I’m not familiar with. It could have been a song or two shorter because it does get slightly long near the end.

Early 80s new wave punk. Good fun. Bouncy, joyful and young.

Perfect punk

bellino 7/10

Never heard of them, which is insane, cause this is up my alley. Not serious, even though they're from Derry in the middle of the Troubles. Post punk, happy dumb shit. Loved it.

Decent punk album. I see influences of The Clash and Dead Kennedy's. You could certainly do worse.

Good singles, a lot of the other songs hold up surprisingly well too. Just falls short of being an all out classic but well worth a listen.

Dan ganas de romper ventanas en Inglaterra o de dónde sea que sean los vatos de The Undertones. 8/10

I liked it except the singer’s warble got to be too much

Godt lyt. Vender sikkert aldrig tilbage.. Coveret fik mig til at tænke på Beavis and Butthead.

Quick and to the pointless Lidt ligegyldigt (pop)punk i bedste Sex Pistols skabelon. Ubderholdende, men der stopper det også. Højdepunkt: Hard Luck

Love the punk submissions, even if they are a little more poppy than others.

Love it!

Sounds like the friendly little cousin of The Ramones and that's not a bad thing.

I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would given that it’s New Wave.

Fun poopy punk. Singer’s voice is great. Great hooks and songs, possibly better than the debut. Will spend more time with.

My only real knowledge of The Undertones is that 'Teenage Kicks' was famously the late, great John Peel's favourite song. I'm always wary when it comes to bands that I know from their one great song. Is the rest of the album going to hold up? Highly unlikely, which is why they are known for the one great song. Thankfully this was not the case here. I thought this album was great. The bass is terrific, the tunes are regularly catchy and nod-along and it's got the right blend of humour without being overly wacky or not to be taken seriously. Kept it on my rotation for a number of days and I can see why Peel was so endeared to them.

I was not loving the start, but the album had a really solid finish.

Absolutely loved this one. Simplistic. Clean. Sounds like two guys having a blast. Reminds me of ramones or ween in that aspect. Will listen again and have already listened to more by them.

This was a really fun listen! Favourite Tracks: There Goes Norman, See That Girl

A fun, easy listen, which is refreshing coming straight after Trout Mask Replica. 3.5 rounding up to 4 to make up for all the ill-informed Americans whingeing about him ripping off Jello Biafra and them being one hit wonders 🙄

The last time my group got an album from The Undertones, I wrote exactly 37 words about it and gave 'em a 4. After listening to this, the group's second album, I am **very** tempted to do that again. Like a lot of albums my group has gotten recently, this isn't very complicated music. It's simply just very, **very** good 80's pop punk. I won't tell you it blew my mind, but I can very much imagine how for someone else this (or their last album) might be one of the best records of all time. Certainly, in the lane of bands like The Clash and Buzzcocks, they're up there. I will say, between these two albums, I think I've found myself preferring the first one. It's a bit faster and the guitars are a bit louder, and it's a bit more power pop, and of course that appeals to me, but in the end... Eh, it's honestly comparing apples and apples, I feel like. They're both excellent, with some great tunes and performances. And really, like I've been saying lately, you really hafta appreciate these simpler albums. I mean, heck, a good 4 outta 5 at that. Completely unpretentious music where you don't hafta think too hard about why you like it. It's just... Really good stuff. What more d'y'want me to say about it? Y'want me to comment on the cover that was taken at a Red Lobster? Nah. Just go give it a listen. That's really all y'need.

Classic pop punk, what else can I say? 4.5 bumped down to 4.