370 of 1001 Albums: Ash's 1977

Ash is a brit-pop bad from the 90s, and if you're wondering what brit-pop sounds like it is sort of like indie rock mixed with punk to get this lighter tone version of rock that doesn't have the darker feel either of those potentially might have. The band though is one of the few that I've seen put so much thought into their album title though. 1977 refers to three major life events for the band, The birth year of two of the band members, the year that the first punk albums were released, and the year that Star Wars made it's appearance as well. It really sets up the vibe of the band and characterizes their youth.

The album actually doesn't get off to any start that would make me think this band is groundbreaking, but as the album goes it develops a life of it's own that had me really enjoying listening to it. "Lose Control" is the opener of the album, unless you somehow acquired the hidden tracks only available on the initial release.


The album seems to become a lot of fun around track three "Girl From Mars". It's fun, it has this little backing pop sound to it, and it gets the album in a better direction. It's also quite intriguing how they theme their songs, and while some might be serious, a lot of the album seems like an ode to some of the band's personal favorite things. "Kung Fu" is an album that fuses in a little about Jackie Chan. This matches with the album title that is more like a biography of the band in just one one number.

Some of my personal favorites from the album occur more near the end of the album beginning with "Angel Interceptor". It is a little bit more serious, a little romantic, and has that sound that still catches you. The guitars also have the punk rock influence, and when given the highlight they sound good. The final two songs are "Lost in You" and "Darkside Light".  The ending isn't as strong as the prior songs, but it seems like a suiting ending with the way it fades out at the end.

You can only hear this genre becoming more popular over time, especially when it hit 2000s, this sound seemed to be everywhere. Except in the 90s the rock aspect of the "rock-pop" sound was way more present still giving it the identification with punk. Ash is a lot of fun, and had I been a few years younger I would have been a huge fan of this album. I'm not sure I'm still quite as huge into the genre though.

Rating 8 of 10.