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Album Details

• Artist: Ash
• Album: Meltdown
• Label: Record Collection
• Year of Release: 2005
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2005-04-19

Ash's music is getting bigger and bigger on each subsequent release. Why, then, hasn't Ash conquered the world? Free All Angels should have had the fire power to do it but when you are stuck on a smaller label like Kinetic in North America, exposure is going to be slim and it's just going to be a word of mouth thing. Ash have secured a deal with new Warner affiliate Record Collection and with this album already gold in the UK they might get the exposure that they deserve. Tim Wheeler is sounding even more confident and mature on every release. The music is huge. I'm talking stadium ready without a doubt. It's not a reiteration of Free All Angels either. These songs are significantly different while retaining that signature Ash sound. Cool vocal harmonies along with some awesome guitar riffs. With just one listen you kind of have an idea of the power involved but after the second you start to get addicted to Wheeler's pop sensibilities. They even pull out a ballad or two out of their hats ("Starcrossed") but never come across sounding sappy. "Orpheus" is one of the greatest Ash songs recorded. It is sonically heavy and yet they still manage to fit in a very catchy chorus and bridge. It's different enough in song structure that it stands out nicely. The video is perfect (included on the DVD portion) with the high speed car racing. Meltdown was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Nick Raskulinecz. Wheeler states the reason being is that "American records sound better sonically". If that what he wanted then that's indeed what he got. Meltdown is a fantastic album and one that many will hold high.

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