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Cast your mind back to 1996 (or rather 1977). Ash burst onto the scene with a punk/pop hybrid style that combined all the best bits of the Undertones, Buzzcocks and Bowie, filtered through an obsession with kung fu movies and Star Wars. The end result was delivered with such energy and youthful exuberance it was impossible not to be moved by it. On this, their fifth and final full studio album, Ash appear to have outgrown themselves. The Peter Pans of the indie world have finally succumbed to their advancing years and in doing so have lost what made them so exciting to begin with. The care-free euphoria of old has given way to a more mature and sophisticated, but ultimately less fulfilling sound. The situation can partly be attributed to the departure of Charlotte Hatherley. Aside from being a frighteningly good guitarist, the main quality Charlotte brought to the table was her distinctive harmonies. Skillfully woven with Tim Wheeler's lead, her backing vocals formed the back bone of what became Ash's trademark sound. While Charlotte is busy exploring vast, swirling sonic landscapes her former colleagues are left sounding a little hollow. On reflection, all this criticism may seem a little harsh, as "Twilight of the Innocents" is not without its high points. "You Can't Have It All" comes within a hair's breadth of recapturing the magic of old, and the epic "Polaris" is hauntingly beautiful. One can't help wondering, however, what they might have sounded like with Charlotte's harmonies added to the mix. The songs are well written, well played and well produced. This IS a good album but it just ISN'T Ash. Tim Wheeler and co seem to be all too aware of the Hatherley-shaped hole in their midst and attempt to fill it with a stylistic reinvention that does more to highlight the problem than to solve it.Read full review
Ash, now slimmed down to their original trio status following the departure of guitarist Charlotte Hatherley, return with band new album, 'Twilight Of The Innocents', which shows that the band have lost none of their oft-mentioned prowess for a great melody, with what could easily be described as their "most complete" album to date. Their slimming down in band size has led to a rejuvenated trio returning with some of their best songs in their fourteen year long career - yeah, count ‘em - and they have just hit thirty years of age! Includes the new single 'You Can't Have It All' and the future hit 'Polaris'.
Saw them at Reading this year (2010) and they were pretty good! The older stuff is what i like and they seem to have moved on a bit but its whats expected.Still good but not brilliant like the times of 1977.
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