not so good followup (Nu Clear Sounds - Ash)

Member Name: benlepensive

Product:	Nu Clear Sounds - Ash
Date:	07/02/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: erm, hmmm good guitar work

Disadvantages: lots of forgettable tracks

Ash's second album was always going to be a struggle. 1977 had arrived with a bang and had been adored by students and well, most people who liked indie across the UK. This album saw them take a more mature approach.

Who:

Indie rock group, who surfaced in 1995 with 'Kung Fu' and fronted by Tim Wheeler.

On this album:

'Jesus Says' was the lead track from this and failed to dent the top ten singles chart. It has competent vocals from Tim, but I got the feeling it was trying to be too cool for its own good. The grittiness was there, but the sense of fun felt on the first album was lacking. 'Wild Surf' became the only other hit to come off here, it was more accessible for me and had a playful feel about it and was a step towards recapturing some of their older magic.
I rather enjoyed 'Low Ebb' which is one of the more provoking tracks and finds Wheeler tackling his more emotive side.

Overall:

This album seemed to be full of fillers rather than killer hits. The fact it spurned a poor two hits is telling. Yes, the group play well and the production is ballsy and the guitars as feisty as before, but this lacked the fun and charisma of album number one, in an attempt to be too mature and cool.

Verdict: skip this one

Summary: avoid