Search - Ash :: Free All Angels

Burn Baby

alexander laurence | Los Angeles, CA | 04/20/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have liked Ash for many years now. I even saw them play in late 1998 during CMJ. This was during the time of Nu-Clear Sounds which many people now think is they worst album. Ash was formed in Belfast around 1993 when the three fellows were still in school: Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton, and Rick McMurray. Their first mini-album Trailer was released in 1994. The band released their best album two years later called 1977 when they were all still teenagers. They were called Bratpop. Songs like "Kung Fu" and "Girls from Mars" made them famous. They got much more attention in 1998 when they added guitarist Charlotte Hatherley. Their record Nu-Clear Sounds tanked and their fans moved on to JJ72. Their experiment with being into New York City and heavy rock and being like an Irish Jonathan Fire Eater failed. They were quiet for three years. The drug addiction then started and Ash was getting calls from Behind The Music. They have come back with one of the biggest albums of the past year with Free All Angels. It beat out the new one by Janet Jackson in the UK charts. "Walking Barefoot" still reminds us of Ash's fascination with NYC punk. It's a return to their earlier sound and is a very good summer song. Once you get to "Shining Light" you know that the excitement is back and all is forgiven. A catchy tune that is certainly has thoughtful lyrics and very catchy guitar playing. The big chorus of "Burn Baby Burn" reminds us of all we loved about Ash in the first place. "Candy" is a slow song that samples Scott Walker. It is really a step forward from heavy rock. "Cherry Bomb" and "Submission" are other songs that name checks some past punk songs like Runaways and Sex Pistols. It is classic Ash. The latter is the closest thing to a Primal Scream track I have ever heard them do. "Pacific Palisades" is like a punk Beach Boys. It is about their experiences in California and sort of an echo of the opening tack. "Shark" is like The Ramones or The Damned. Apparently as a live act they are much like those early punk bands. Bring out the leather jackets and Flying V's please. "There's A Star" is another great slow song. Tim Wheeler has taken the reigns of the band's songwriting and has made something beautiful and lovely. Some bands get to their fourth album and it's a public burning. Ash has evolved. The album ends with the all out rocker "World Domination" which sums up all their last album in one song. The American release also includes a DVD and three bonus tracks. The tracks add nothing and are probably B-sides. I haven't seen the DVD but that sounds like a treat. We can all look forward to seeing Ash on this year's Area 2 tour."

Good Stuff

sammy | N.Z | 11/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The CD is complete. Ash has delivered a stunner. Burn Baby Burn, There's A Star, and Walking Barefoot are standouts. Shining Light is such a beautiful, positive song and it isn't difficult to see why it was such a hit in the UK. It would be fair if Ash got a little more spotlight in the states, but who cares? If you listen to the music, its those people missing out that don't know about this awesome, awesome band."

Rock, Baby, Rock!!

Pessimystica | Austin, TX | 12/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Strong pop roots are obvious, but this band knows how to rock. I saw them live over the summer, & the energy never let up. They played all the good songs I knew of them at the time... many of the good ones off of here plus "Girl from Mars", "A Life Less Ordinary", & "Goldfinger", a song that I didn't even know they did cuz I hadn't heard it in ages! I was also impressed that Charlotte actually does a lot of the major guitar work, plus a lot of backing vocals. I left pumped up, knowing I HAD to get
one of their cds... so I got this one, since it was the most recent, & the one they were touring for. I have the DVD, which has videos & cool footage, but my cd copy only has 1 bonus track "So the story goes", so you may get one with slightly different tracks. With catchy melodies, soaring guitars & basslines, you're missing out if you don't have this. "Walking Barefoot" is a GREAT opener... I especially like the way it starts off kind of soft & laidback, but then the guitars come blaring in. "Shining Light", "Burn Baby Burn" (my favorite here, & a cool video too), "Submission", & "Nicole" are personal favorites that they played live. "Shark" & "World Domination" rock out, while "Sometimes" & "There's a Star" change to a slower mood. "Candy"'s the most pop track on here, & though not my favorite track, it's still catchy. Here's another good example of a band that I'm glad I made myself go see, even though I only knew a handful of their songs at the time. I can't wait for a future release, plus I'll definitely look into their past albums. I agree with another reviewer: this cd IS very addictive, "Nicole" is a very addicting track, & WHY oh WHY aren't there more modern bands in the US that honestly rock like this?!?!!?!"