1977 - Ash > Reviews > I PREFERED 1966

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	Great songs, real taste of Ash at their best
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

1977 was in fact the second album that Ash released, their first was a mini-album Trailer. That brought them some recognition and their talent and potential was starting to show through, but they got very little wide publicity. Their latest release Free all Angels has been their biggest success, while for me it is a very close thing for 1977 and that for my favourite Ash album. Those two great albums were sandwiched between a minor disappointment. Nu-Clear sounds had a few decent songs but on the whole did not live up to the standards set by 1977.

Ash really are a teenage band. Literally they came to the music business straight from school. Tim Wheeler the lead singer/songwriter and lead guitarist, Rick McMurry on drums and Mark Hamilton bass were at the same school in Northern Ireland when they formed and realized they could make some pretty good music together. Since then they have gone from strength to strength and built up a real fan base and a reputation for good music and a good attitude.

Ash have been classed under Brit-pop with all the coverage and hype that comes out when a half decent British band comes out with a fresh new sound. Their music is a great combination of real rock with a softer twist to it to make it very listen able. There are some very catchy melodies without being too manufactured or commercial. There are some real pop moments and light hearted songs that make this a great album and shows the best of Ash and their music.

1. Lose Control
A great start to the album, showing all the fast paced guitars and action packed from the start. Start as you mean to go on, it is a good way to start off the album. Guitars keep the song going after a good solo intro, bursts into life with the lyrics picking up about halfway thorough, a lot of guitar solos and on here.

2. Goldfinger
Slower than the opening, and not my favourite song on the album. Builds up to a good enough base to the song, but takes a long time to get there. Quieter and more laid back in both the vocals and instruments though a below average song on this album is not a disaster.

3. Girl From Mars
The best track on the album so far and one of the best on the album in general. One of the released songs and a recongised, this is one of the songs on here that is very relaxed. They are just having fun and the result is an upbeat and amazing song. Great guitar solo in the middle of the track, and just a great song.

4. I’d Give you Anything
Strong guitars and a more coarse song in general. Very good guitars that add a backbone to the song while the vocals are more angry and there is a very electrical feel to this track. A good number none the less.

5. Gone the Dream
I like this track, it is much softer and laid back. No roaring guitars, this is another side of Ash. Very mellow and nice and easy to listen to.

6. Kung Fu
The best song on the album in my opinion. Starts off by listening to a funny fight scene, then turns out to be a real rock song with fast moving and superb guitars all the way through. One of the best lyrically here as well, it is all talking about the great kung fu movies and people and comes up with some great quotes. ‘I haven’t been the same since my teenage lobotomy’, ‘last nigh Jackie Chan came round we played pool and we hung out’ Marvelous.

7.Oh Yeah
A really good song that brings back memories of long summer days and young love. Very good lyrics again and more instrumental and relaxing song. Also a very remising song and looking back on good times. A great song and up there with the best on the album.

8. Let it Flow
Takes a little while to get into life, though when it does it is a great song. It flows nicely with a good and catchy beat to it. Upbeat vocals and very happy, poppy. Lovely to listen to and one of the best on the album.

9. Innocent Smile
This track has a very nice beat too it, and like the one earlier it has a great way of flowing through the song from start to finish. Not as instantly catchy as some of the others on the album, but very easy to listen to. Some great guitar work towards the end as well.

10.Angel Interceptor
Released as a single, though not my favourite of the ones they released. Still a good track it gets going well and keeps going with a fast beat and guitars.

11.Lost in You
Slower than some of the other tracks on the album, but loses none of the quality. A very good song, it has a real quality to it. Great lyrics tell a story of being parted from loved ones, and very well sung showing changes from real rock to this. A really good song, really well sung.

12. Darkside Lightside
Starts out well enough, the drumming is good on this track as are the guitars. Falls away to the end though, and a bit of a let down the album end. Almost like they got tired and gave up, does not do the ending of this great album justice.

There is a ‘bonus’ track on the end of all this. A few minutes after the end of the final track the CD cuts back in with several minutes of sound effects of some people throwing up with others laughing. Very disappointing, I first realized this was on here when I fell asleep listening to this on a train and I was not a pleasant awakening. May be considered funny, but it was a pretty sick sense of humor.

Overall a great sound and top music from Ash. An other album that I have gone back to discover and I have not looked back. This is Ash and their best album, though newer stuff comes close. It is a relief to see Ash back to their best, and this is well worth a listen to.

Oh, and sorry about the title. It was a reference to a certain football event that happened then, not to take anything away from the album at all. Chris