sAlbum Review | Ash : Meltdown (US - 2005, Record Collection)

Inexplicably, American record labels have never been to keen to Ash. Their first five records have been hits in Europe, Japan and Australia, yet have still failed to break stateside. Formulating a near-copyrighted sound of power chords, blissful hooks and excitable melody, any unsuspecting listener could fall victim easily to their abundant charms. Transmitted through a million-watts of charisma during vibrant live shows and support tours with everyone from Coldplay to Foo Fighters, the band has become one of rocks best known “unknown” acts. The indifference of the American record industry now finds Meltdown released a year after it’s street date everywhere else on the planet.

Their turn towards the dark side is blood-thick, if the cover of Meltdown is any indication. However it is not. The fact that it is a reproduction of a sleeve-length Phoenix tattoo now sported by Wheeler himself doesn’t do much. The bass lines of Mark Hamilton still wind through every second of their songs, but the looser thump seems attributed to Weezer-alum Matt Sharp (who receives considerable liner note-credit). Rick McMurray has always had the rambunctious spirit of either a speed-freak or a child in his drumming, and this record is no exception. Playing two or more beats where one would be sufficient, his work could easily serve as the hardest element on this “hard” record.

On her third official record with Ash, guitarist/ femme fatale Charlotte Hatherley has gotten Wheeler’s guitar style matched, combining the force of the riffs that were already a powerful entity. Though Wheeler still bangs out most of the solos live on his Flying V, Hatherley’s chops are honed enough for her to keep up with (if not better) this boys club. The theory is proven on U.K. single “Renegade Cavalcade” as the charging twin riff propels as much as the gravity defying chorus.

The title track also hints to a Motorhead cover only to fall back into form with effects and an Earth-rattling chorus. “Clones” is another of several singles that populate a record full of potentials, raging and sugary at once with addictive properties crammed to the front. While some songs have a crunchy, tooth-spitting lead, they’re still the sum of Wheeler’s endearing craft. The harder edge is just trim on the ascendant chorus and the slippery slope of his hooks, which suck attention towards them. Resistance is futile.

With all the posturing as a harder act, Ash remind of children wearing their parents clothing. This record holds very subtle if not imagined sinister elements. This is still the same old wonderful Ash: neither dumb nor challenging. Three chords to a chorus and words that flow sweetly into a chorus that any arena could sing back to them. Regardless of what’s on the outside, a band with gifts as gratifying as Ash cannot change under their wrapping. Ash’s identity is defined by their idyllic pop-rock and Meltdown’s buzzsaw image can’t change it.




Buy this album here
Ash's Official Website www.ash-official.com
Record Collection site http://www.recordcollectionmusic.com

Reviewed for Earlash Music Sight www.earlash.com