1977 - Ash > Reviews > All the drama of Star Wars

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	A superb punk - pop album
Disadvantages:	Maybe one filler

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Ash were first formed in 1989 under the name Vietnam Tim Wheeler and Mark Hamilton first got guitars. With the addition of Rick McMurray they then changed their name in 1992 to Ash, that we know now.
With influences including the Buzzcocks Ash were signed in 1994 and released their first three singles all reaching the UK charts top 5. From this Ash put together their first album that is 1977 (named after the year Star Wars was released, and also the year that 2 of the band members were born)
1977 is a classic pop-punk album which could only have been produced during the height of Brit Pop and contains sharp guitar hooks combined with fantastic lyrics exhibited no more so than on "Oh Yeah" and "Girl From Mars".
Buzzing with youthful energy, tracks like "Kung Fu", which it could be said is rather a mess of Jackie Chan and Fu Man Chu, are given a free reign and ramble along a hypnotic alternative to more structured tracks such as I'd Give You Anything and Lose Control, without losing great rock riffs and creative guitar solos

Ash display on this album that they can capture the imagination and various the elements of power pop, glam, grunge, rock. This is a triumph of all those styles in one unique package. Produced by Owen Morris (also behind Oasis' first 3 albums) the album was a massive success.

Tracklisting:

1 Lose Control 3:36
2 Goldfinger 4:31
3 Girl from Mars Ash, 3:30
4 I'd Give You Anything 4:31
5 Gone the Dream 3 :29
6 Kung Fu 2:17
7 Oh Yeah 4:45
8 Let It Flow 4:42
9 Innocent Smile 5:52
10 Angel Interceptor 4:04
11 Lost in You 4:19
12 Darkside Lightside 16:47

In late 1997, Charlotte Hatherley was added to the band, and brought about a change to a more commercial sound and a further 3 studio albums:

1998's Nu-Clear Sounds
2002's Free All Angels
2004's Meltdown

In January 2006, and after nine years with Ash, Charlotte Hatherley announced her departure from the band to pursue a solo career which had already saw the release of her first solo album "Grey Will Fade" .
Let's hope for some more Ash material becasue this is awesome as hve been their later released efforts. I've seen Ash on a few occasions and they were quite simply put, genius!