It's Tim Up North (Free All Angels - Ash)

Member Name: indiecater

Product:	Free All Angels - Ash
Date:	31/05/01 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Teenage Guitar Adventures.

Disadvantages: Less Smoke, More Fire Please

Ash's image as precocious teenagers has been a hard one to dispel. While they now inhabit that confusing early twenties phase their tunes consistently contain adolescent overtures. There is nothing wrong with this of course, it's just that an album of sugar sweet pop can sometimes grate.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle Ash have to overcome is the suspicion that many of their best tunes are quite throwaway. They tend to be pleasing on the ear for an initial period but somehow lose their charm over time. The cause is their straightforward approach to songwriting. The effect is legions of admirers but a distinct lack of huge numbers of devoted followers.

Take 'Shining Light' for example. A superb, buoyant pop song with a crystal clear chorus and several notable guitar moments. What more could you ask for, you might ask? Well, for one, in order for music to endure it must reach the parts other tunes don't. While not completely formulaic, Ash's music largely follows the angle they forged back in their 'Trailer' days.

In saying this 'Free All Angels' does expose Tim Wheeler maturing a tad as a songwriter. As he attempts to extend the Ash horizon, tracks like 'Candy' limp badly over the finishing line. The strings sound artificial and unnecessary and the vocal delivery is altogether too tired. This is closer to dross than floss and it should really have slid into the studio dustbin.

Elsewhere Wheeler has better success. 'Submission' has full on Primal Scream tendencies. You almost expect Tim Wheeler to breathe Kowalski but of course he doesn't. The song has a darker plot and provides some solace from the stomach retching happiness present on the rest of the album. 'Someday' is also quite neat, even if there is a drafty hollow lurking at its core. The subtle string arrangements are welcome but overall it's a little too loose to really land a sucker punch. With a bit mo
re work this could have been much better.

The power pop continues unabated on 'Pacific Palisades'. The drumming is manic and while we're on the subject I have to say that Rick McMurray, Ash's drummer, really gets on my nerves. He just seems out of sorts in the rock and roll scheme of things. I always get the feeling he should be holding a petrol pump rather than a drumstick. I know this sounds cruel and I guess to be fair to him he was there with that shambolic hairstyle well before David Beckham.

'Burn Baby Burn' is the quintessential shiny pop song that Ash have a patent on. Bleeding glorious jangly riffs through Wheelers vocal onslaught always ensures a good listen. The effortless energy evoked just demands attention and succeeds in raising the pulse. 'Walking Barefoot' also pushes all the right buttons and lends a touching reminder of those long summer days as a child. It's about as grand as Ash get without sounding out of their depth.

'Sometimes' is superbly fresh, the fine guitar barrage never drowns out Tim Wheeler's melodic vocals. 'Nicole' is also hugely impressive. It takes its cue from alt Americana and feistily appears at the other end with distinction. 'There's A Star' completes a treble of strong tracks. Big, bold and fulfilling its own huge aspiration, nothing else on the album really comes close.

'Free All Angels' is somewhat let down by 'World Domination', the final track. It's an aimless punk rock workout that puts a shabby seal on the album. It doesn't quite leave a bad taste in the mouth but that let down feeling is hard to dispel.

Ash urgently need to reset their musical compass. Their undoubted talent would be better served down avenues that don't rely on teenage observations (listen to the childish romp that is 'Cherry Bomb' and you'll see what I mean). Maturity within the band seems to h
ave assumed a snails pace. Four albums and still peddling the same subject matter tends to turn people off. A new direction could see the band flourish.

Under Ash's wobbly exterior exists a burgeoning musical force. They still have it all to do to make that perfect album but I won't be surprised when it arrives. It is surely just a matter of time. For the moment 'Free All Angels' is good fare and taken in moderation it will certainly brighten up your day. A success in anybody's book then.

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