Another two weeks have passed and this time Tickets There guarantees you it’s been worth the wait because Summer Snow, Ash’s latest single from their A-Z series is a wonderful piece of music.
They’re sticking with the more simplistic style of writing that’s dominated the second part of the series but they’ve brought the guitars and bass right to the front for a thundering chorus that seems to conquer the rest of the song. Intro kicks off with a back n forth guitars, some background keyboards and Tim’s voice right at the forefront and sounding good n strong. Short, perfectly written and involving,everything you could want from an Ash track.
I think we’re tapped out with the words for Ash. Unlike them, we can’t produce fresh material every two weeks and that’s why we’re a lowly viewed poxy little blog and they’re the kick ass heroes of Irish pop rock. I certainly hope ye all caught their set at Oxegen and you’ve started your ‘come back to Dublin soon’ letters to their official site. We’ll see you in two weeks for the fifth last review of the series. Until then, enjoy Summer Snow.
It’s Fathers day and what better gift could any father ask for than a brand spanking new tune from Ireland’s leading pop rock trio, Ash. Single S, Spheres is officially available for streaming today and given a few goes, it’s proven to be one of the best from the second half of the A-Z Series.
Rather than going for the simple three chords, catchy build Ash are famous for, Sphere’s is a little more complex, deep and darker. There’s an eerie piano melody laid down over the verse with a slow, brooding drum and bass hammering along with only slight guitars in he distance, before everything thunders together for a restrained chorus.
The whole thing breaks down towards the end culminating in a funky, dance styled closure that never really explodes but, that would have been the obvious ending.
All in all, a tasty little number as usual from the Down boys. Head on over to Ash-Official to hear the track for yourself. Hurry up, only two weeks till Single T is out.
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.
God, as soon as oneAsh review goes up there’s another to be done. We were 100% sure single O wasn’t coming till next week but here we are, another two weeks over and another fecking single review to do. Thank god the song in question is damn right savage.
While Single N, Dare To Dream was lacking in the ass kicking department, Mind Control has gone and given the second half of Ash’s incredible A-Z Singles the kick off it needed. It’s got guitars, it’s got solo’s, it’s catchy and there’s swear words, one of Rock’s most beloved and mourned siblings. What the Fuck is going on? Ash are kicking ass left, right and centre, that’s what.
Excellent addition to the series and one that’s gotten Tickets There excited all over again. Thanks to Mind Control, we won’t forget single P’s release date. See ye in two weeks.
Tickets There is very sorry for the delay getting this review up. We started listening on Sunday but became more fixated on the fact that the previous release, Song of Your Desire is actually way better than we originally thought. Ah well, time to move on.
Ash’s latest release, Dionysian Urge is a hark back to their basics sound. The kind of feel good pop rock that made us fall in love with them in the first place. There’s none of the A – Z trademark piano’s and grandness. Just good old fashioned riffs, beats, heavy guitars and a rattling bass.
Honestly, we’re struggling to write this week so we’ll just say it, we couldn’t love this song anymore. It’s just so hassle free, upbeat and has such lovely changes. The whole thing just works so well it’s not even funny.
Incredible effort from the lads and one that’s truly going to be a treat for all Ash fans, old and new. Head over to Ash-Official to hear it for yourself.
God, I can’t believe how quickly these fortnights are going by. It seems like only yesterday Tracers came out and all of a sudden we’ve got another one! The fifth single of Ash’sA – Z series, The Dead Disciples is now available and it’s definitely worth making the trip to ASH-OFFICIAL.COM to hear it.
Opening with a nice gritty guitar, the song bursts forth with a tight mixture of electro-rock styled guitars grinding out some sweet ‘in your face whiteboy’ riffs. The song is one of those heavier, grunge styled Ash moments. The verse is stripped back with a tasty dirty bass line and some naughty little pulls from the guitar and Tim’s punk rock style vocals. Unfortunately the chorus, while still catchy and belting, is a bit over harmonized for the verse which stops it from competing with past grunge glories like A Life Less Ordinary and Innocent Smile, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the catchiest singles of the series.
Overall all it’s another winner. Tickets There can say happily that we prefer it to Tracers and would currently rank it second overall behind Arcadia. Now, that’s enough from me, go check it out and see what you think. Until next time, (F), have a pleasant two weeks.
Fourth in Ash’s A – Z series which they’re currently on tour promoting. The guys are set to release 26 singles over the next year and the first three, Joy Kicks Darkness, Arcadia and True Love 1980 have all been strong additions to the Co. Down boys repertoire and for those impatient people out there, Tracers is just as strong.
Tim and the lads have a god given knack for writing semi-down toned borderline grunge anthems and combining that sound with the most perfect pop sensibilities known to man and the hard rock guitar ability needs to pull it all off. On Trackers we find the bands shinning talent for catchy song writing as well as their ability to use different styles to deliver their famous ballads.
Unlike Arcadia, the song is a little more relaxed and restrained which adds the difference every band needs in their writing. Muted guitars, regular changes and the lack of a full on guitar driven chorus explosion leave the song one of the best they’ve release so far. It’s heavy though. The whole song bursts with overtones of the eminent peak getting closer and then they cut loose with a galaxy of other instruments to drive the point home rather than relying on age old tactics and formulated standards.
What would we have done differently? We would have started a band and cried because we’re not as good as Ash. Keep up the great works lads.
*Legal Disclaimer: By ‘E’, Tickets There, here forth to be referred to as TT, did not mean to endorse, promote, or encourage the notion that they were referring to the illegal substance, Ecstasy. If you referrer to Appendix Z 1.7 of the Ash: A – Z series article, located Here, TT has outlined details that each single from the A – Z series will have a different letter assigned. These releases and their letters will correspond to the English Alphabet (A, B, C,.. to Z. Please refer to Collins English Dictionary for a more detailed explanation of the Alphabet). By writing ‘E’, TT simply meant the fifth single from this A – Z series, rather than the drug known as Ecstasy. TT does not wish for starved, gawky eyed ravers’ to appear at official Tickets There Headquarters looking for handouts. ‘E’ simply co-exists with the number 5 position in the alphabet.
Tickets There is on a major ASH buzz of a late. We’re resisting the extreme temptation of making them our favorite Irish act because we feel the position should go to one of the lesser known bands we love. In reality, ASH are our favorite Irish act currently on the go and their ability to write some of the catchiest and most perfect pop rock / alt-rock / grungy tracks in the history of the country never seems to diminish with the years.
Last year the band announced they would no longer use the traditional album format to release music and instead, were only going to release singles. Now they’re living up to their promise and have just released the second single from their A – Z Series of singles. Every fortnight for roughly the next year, a new single will be released on limited 7” and for download.
Tickets There has decided to turn our attentions to this so we’ll be updating this post every two weeks when a new single is released. Please click on the song names below to read each review.
'Ticket's There' - Irish and International Music Blog 