Following a pair of successful singles, Ned's Atomic Dustbin (the name comes from the title of a comedy skit on the legendary pre-Monty Python Goon Show) found themselves with a recording contract from Sony Music. While putting the final touches on what was to be their debut record, their former label released a compilation of those early singles, along with a couple of extras. A flawless collection of pulverizingly high energy two- and three-minute pop masterpieces, BITE is a record to make you leap up and down on your bed practicing your air guitar and rock star moves.
Opening with the positively electric "Aim" (which takes an couple of ironic jabs at the Smiths, both lyrically and musically), other highlights include "Grey Cell Green," arguably the band's finest moment, which features rumbling drums, searing guitar slashes, and ridiculously catchy lyrics that really make no sense at all, and the martial beats of "Sentence," whose lyrics, though full of youthful angst, are strangely unpretentious. Also of note is a wicked remix of "Kill Your Television," that adds elliptical vocal echoes. BITE is well worth checking out if you like your pop music loud, fast, and heavy.