"Are You Normal" follows Ned's Atomic Dustbin's formula of success first seen in their debut album "God Fodder:" First, you have the consistent bouncy two bass driven sound with its distinct British sensibility; second you have quirky lyrics that fit perfectly with the tunes.

While my favorite two Ned's songs are both on "God Fodder," ("Selfish" and "Gray Cell Green," which I think are really meant to be heard together), I believe that "Are You Normal" contains more terrific songs than its predecessor. Who can resist the energy of "Walking Through Syrup" - my favorite song on the album - with its infectious chorus ("Here's a prediction/ You get an affliction/ You gain an addiction/ You grab what you can/ Get introduced to a good lady bubblehead/ whe thinks she's seducing Peter Pan")? Other highlights include "Legoland," "Tantrum," "Not Sleeping Around" (a minor hit for the band), "I Don't Want To Do That" (reminiscent of "Happy" from "God Fodder"), "Spring" and "Intact." Overall, the album maintains at a very high level, and is just plain fun to listen to.

FYI: At the end of the first song, "Suave and Sophisticate," the narrator says: "What are they gonna say about him? What are they gonna say? That he was a kind man? That he was a wise man? That he had plans? That he had wisdom? Bull**** man!" This is a direct quote from "Apocalypse Now," spoken by the Dennis Hopper character about Kurtz (brilliantly played by Marlon Brando) after Kurtz dies. I'm kind of surprised no one else brought this up.