Ash have announced the release date for A-ZVol. II Collection. The CD will be coming to a record store near you on October 11th. The track-list for the CD can be viewed below.
Letter
Title:
N
“Dare To Dream”
O
“Mind Control”
P
“Insects”
Q
“Binary”
R
“Physical World”
S
“Spheres”
T
“Instinct”
U
“Summer Snow”
V
“Carnal Love”
W
“Embers”
X
“Change Your Name”
Y
“Sky Burial”
Z
“There Is Hope Again”
Bonus
“Teenage Wildlife”
Bonus
“Spellbound”
Bonus
“Nightfall”
Ash are currently in the middle of the A-Z tour with new dates being added monthly. Keep an eye on Tickets There for more information as we have it.
Jez, just when we thought we’d heard all the A-Z series has to offer, Ash go and and blow you away! Their new single, Embers is just savage. Guitars flaring, Ricks drums being beat to shit and what’s that? I believe that’s a very, very catchy chorus in an Ash song.
I know what you’re thinking, why would Irish legends Ash have a catchy chorus, well it seems toe boys have been given a gift for writing 26 songs for one release that put most bands to shame, a point we’ve exhausted over these reviews.
Don’t waste time here reading about it folks (nice advertisement for the site lads!!! – Ed), head on over to Ash-Official.com and hear it for yourself.
Little later than we’ve liked. If Ash have the decency to be on time, you think we’d manage it. Fortunately it’s given us a few extra days to absorb the latest release in the A-Z series and this is always a good think when your love for the music increases.
Physical World is a real easy going, poppy punkish kind of track, like Ash’s earlier material. There’s the obligatory catchy chorus, the heavy guitar driven killer riff / solo and less lyrics than Baldrick’s ‘Magnum octopus’. In short, the track sends a message about returning to basics of society rather than living in the on-line world (say, spending your spare time blogging rather than living – Ed). It’s got everything you need, it’s full of beams and it’s damn right tasty. Definitely a high point of A-Z Part II.
On a total Ash buzz today and can’t wait until Monday to review the next single. Song has been heard, words must be written and bitches must get their rock!! The third release from the A – Z Series is titled Arcadia and it’s due out on November 9th. If you’ve been following the band recently, you’ll know all about the 26 singles being released every fortnight for the next year. If you haven’t been following them, you know it now!
So far we’ve seen some disco. Then we got some monster eighties mash up. Then we saw some featherweight rock ballady work. Arcadia notches things up a wee bit in all respects. I haven’t heard the studio recording so this review is just based on a live video on You Tube.
The start is similar in ways to the last single, Joy Kicks Darkness. However everything kicks in a lot faster. The guitars are louder and heavier. The drums are wilder and Tim’s voice is more classic Ash. There’s no quiet moments and the harmonies sound like they’ll be killer on the studio version. Its shit catchy and sung at this speed just increases its catchiness. What can I tell ya, it’s probably my favorite along with Return of White Rabbit.
The only thing missing (and maybe I’m just missing it) is a full on Guitar Solo like they had in Joy Kicks Darkness. Tim is the most unlikely rock guitarist since Rivers Cuomo but when he rocks; he fucking rocks the place (just listen to that riff in Uncle Pat…which I’ve just stuck on because it rocks so fucking much!). Still a pretty sweet track and one Tickets There hopes they include in the set.
I’ll add the video when they release the official one. Until next Time, Happy Halloweennnnnn…..belated 😉
UPDATED – 09/11/2009: Just heard the studio recording of this track and it’s savage. Go and check it out by Clicking Here.
Single number one of the A-Z Series of singles Ash will be releasing fortnightly for the…well, the next 52 weeks. True Love 1980 is a totally different vibe from the disco styling’s of Return of White Rabbit. It’s more along the lines of New Order but a little more upbeat. They’ve still managed to keep that traditional Ash poppy feel and only added some classic eighties era drums, keyboards and even the vocals in places. Despite the hark back to the retro style, the band pull it off quite well. It’s no Angle Interceptor but then again, it’s not meant to be.
On First listen Tickets There wasn’t overly impressed but after a few goes it really starts to sink in. Similar to Walking Barefoot or Candy, this is just a nice song. Take it for what it is.
…and yes this review is short. Only so much you can say about a band when you know you have another 26 more things to write about them over the next year (26th is the gig review ;))
Ash have announced the release date for A-Z Vol. II Collection. The CD will be coming to a record store near you on October 11th. The track-list for the CD can be viewed below.
'Ticket's There' - Irish and International Music Blog 