Free All Angels - Ash

Ash will always be an extremely childish band. In spite of the heavier metal-tinged stylings of their second album Nu-Clear Sounds and the addition of an impossibly pouty guitarist, their music sounds like one condensed summer holiday, and will continue to do so until they're as old as Aerosmith. Unfortunately, it took the near bankruptcy caused by poor sales of their second album for them to really acknowledge this fact. So, along came Free All Angels - the band's third full album and a dazzling success in the UK. Tim and company start things off with a bang more or less where 1977 left off too many years ago. Initially sung a capella, Tim ...  Read the complete review

Ash have long been know as a great band producing sings with a song writing ability in the form of front man Tim Wheeler for producing get up and go pop-rock anthems. This is the third full album from Northern Ireland band Ash, after a promising mini album ?Trailer?, the stunning ?1977? and the less well received ?Nu-Clear Sounds? they have come back from a small break to clear heads and minds, and return with a fine album full of pop tunes. Ash have been going for over a decade, since forming in school as old mates. Founding members Tim Wheeler (guitars/vocals/songwriter), Mark Hamilton (bass) and Rick McMurry (drums) were joined by Charlotte Hatherley ...  Read the complete review

Free All Angels was a triumphant return to form for Ash, who previously had nearly been annihilated by their own sucess. Their previous album "Nu-Clear sounds" had suggested they were heading towards a heavier, rockier sound, but they return to the loveable indie/powerpop that they're so loved for with this little CD. I chose this for one of my top ten albums of 2000, and I really don't know why now. Its a good album, but looking back it really is nothing special. Its unfortunate to say that, despite the pretty-damn-goodness of this album, Ash never reach the level of greatness they did with such cracking tunes as "Girl from Mars" and ...  Read the complete review

‘Free All Angels’ is my second Ash album I have brought, and although it is not as loud as ‘Nu-clear Sounds’ it is still full of quality from start to finish I loved ‘Nu-clear Sounds’ and you can still hear some of the feel of that album in this, so don’t be put off if you enjoyed that, as some tracks are not dissimilar. ‘Free All Angels’ mixes it well and is just as good for Ash fans. The lyrics are all well written and meaningful if you listen to them properly, and there is a good selection of loud tracks such as ‘Shark, ‘Cherry Bomb’ and quieter, but just as good ‘Someday and ...  Read the complete review

Ash’s last album Nu-Clear Sounds didn’t sell very well. It was dark and hard-edged and just didn’t sound very commercial. Some what cynically, the band have returned to the sound of their highly successful debut (proper) 1977 on this album. And lo and behold, their singles are getting more airplay and the album is selling better. But does the formula on Free All Angels work? Isn’t summer great? Oh Yeah! was released on mid-summers day 1996 and what a classic that was. The opening track on FAA is another summer track, but Walking Barefoot isn’t exactly Oh Yeah! Mk II. Oh, no! it’s much better than that. It is quite simply ...  Read the complete review