Ash

[Kieren]

Insects is so much :awesome:

Best Ash has had since Dionysian Urge IMO.

I dunno, I think I prefer Dare To Dream, but it's SO Free All Angels.

[Davinq]

I dunno, I think I prefer Dare To Dream, but it's SO Free All Angels.

Dare to Dream was okay, but I never did find myself compelled to find a space for it on my Zune like I did for Insects.

[Davinq]

Bump-ish.

Ash were just added to the Benicássim lineup for this summer:

http://fiberfib.com/cartel/2010/fib10-benicassim-cartel-lineup.jpg

I'm so excited! I never expected to get the chance to see them live! What are they like live? I've heard they've got a fantastic reputation, but how so?

[Idiot Drugs]

Bump-ish.

Ash were just added to the Benicássim lineup for this summer:

http://fiberfib.com/cartel/2010/fib10-benicassim-cartel-lineup.jpg

I'm so excited! I never expected to get the chance to see them live! What are they like live? I've heard they've got a fantastic reputation, but how so?

They are great live. Just keep going, play a good variety of songs and really are Loud:D

Their headling the Other Stage on Sunday Night at Glasto, Cant wait :D

[James.]

They are great live. Just keep going, play a good variety of songs and really are Loud:D

Their headling the Other Stage on Sunday Night at Glasto, Cant wait :D

It's the John Peel Stage actually, Orbital are headlining the Other Stage.
After how good they were at Northampton I'm very tempted to go and see them again at Glasto instead of Orbital or Stevie Wonder.

[Idiot Drugs]

It's the John Peel Stage actually, Orbital are headlining the Other Stage.
After how good they were at Northampton I'm very tempted to go and see them again at Glasto instead of Orbital or Stevie Wonder.

Oh right, misread that, still cant fucking wait :happy:

[Waldo]

Benicassim has a really spectacular line-up this year. I wish I could go. :( So far no Ash shows near me, but hopefully they'll pop over before/after their Australian gigs.

[James.]

I really like Instinct, another great track!

[Davinq]

I thought I'd be able to see them on the Benicássim lineup, but now our schedule won't allow it. :supersad:

On a happier note, I fucking love Spheres, best song in the A-Z series since Dionysian Urge.

Actually, Insects was really good too. :happy:

[Raiko]

I'm much prefering the more electro-pop side of Ash with these singles. Instinct is pretty good. My favourite so far are True Love, Arcadia (best song they've ever written), Tracers, Pripyat, Space Shot, Neon, War with Me and Binary. I know The Dead Disciples and Joy Kicks Darkness are fan favourites, but I consider them missed opportunities.

[Clunge]

I'm much prefering the more electro-pop side of Ash with these singles. Instinct is pretty good. My favourite so far are True Love, Arcadia (best song they've ever written), Tracers, Pripyat, Space Shot, Neon, War with Me and Binary. I know The Dead Disciples and Joy Kicks Darkness are fan favourites, but I consider them missed opportunities.
Completely the opposite for me. I think the new electro-pop vibe doesn't suit them at all but the rockier songs are as good as Ash have ever sounded - Joy Kicks Darkness, The Dead Disciples, Space Shot and Dionysian Urge are absolutely phenominal, JKD in particular.

[Davinq]

I'm kind of bummed that the song quality has been dropping off lately, with a few really good exceptions (Insects, Spheres). Binary was really kinda meh IMO.

[Davinq]

Just got Instinct... it sounds like Binary, but better. :happy:

[Davinq]

There are now 30 second previews of the remaining tracks in the A-Z series, including two more bonus tracks. Z in particular sounds like it has a lot of potential.

[Clunge]

Midnight Militia is win :awesome:.

Summer Snow, less so.

[Liron]

I'm going to see them at Belsonic with Kasabian next month and I haven't actually heard a single song by them since Shining Light... any recommendations where to start? :)

[Davinq]

I'm going to see them at Belsonic with Kasabian next month and I haven't actually heard a single song by them since Shining Light... any recommendations where to start? :)

Shining Light? Ooh. Um...

Frankly, there's a LOT of material to cover. :LOL: My favourite album is Meltdown, it's very rocky, but I have a bit of a bias since it's the first one I discovered and got me into Ash. Then of course there's their current cycle, which isn't an album but the A-Z Series, a fortnightly publication of 26 singles for listening enjoyment. In between those was a much more serious album entitled Twilight of the Innocents, which has a bit of epic, a bit of sad, but is still very very good.

[Liron]

Shining Light? Ooh. Um...

Frankly, there's a LOT of material to cover. :LOL: My favourite album is Meltdown, it's very rocky, but I have a bit of a bias since it's the first one I discovered and got me into Ash. Then of course there's their current cycle, which isn't an album but the A-Z Series, a fortnightly publication of 26 singles for listening enjoyment. In between those was a much more serious album entitled Twilight of the Innocents, which has a bit of epic, a bit of sad, but is still very very good.

Ah, maybe I should try current cycle then first, if it's singles? I'm guessing that will be mostly what they'll play... then if I'm into them enough I'll check other stuff. I remember them back from the beginning of the last decade haha I actually liked a few stuff they did back then but not enough to keep following.

Anyway, merci ! :D

[James.]

I'm going to see them at Belsonic with Kasabian next month and I haven't actually heard a single song by them since Shining Light... any recommendations where to start? :)

As far as albums go post-Free All Angels, Meltdown is very good. Twilight Of The Innocents is not quite as good but still decent.
They are playing a few of the A-Z series songs on tour at the moment - Joy Kicks Darkness, Arcadia, Neon, True Love 1980, Dionysian Urge and The Dead Disciples.
Some other songs I've liked a lot from the A-Z series are Space Shot, Binary, Instinct, Tracers and Command.

The current tour setlist is a mixture of A-Z series plus songs from the back catalogue.

[Davinq]

The current setlist is a very even mix of everything basically, it's perfect. :happy:

Here's the setlist from Benicássim a week and a half ago (that I missed by a day :'():

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4830420624_ec62c0bc15.jpg

[Liron]

Oooh thanks guys.. and yes I discovered recently most bands actually give decent setlists, I thought it was an international problem and that Muse were just a part of it :LOL:

[dip]

You can buy their best of, which covers eveything up to the start of the A-Z series, and the first 13 A-Z songs have been released as an album

[Heartofsaturdaynight]

Ah, maybe I should try current cycle then first, if it's singles? I'm guessing that will be mostly what they'll play... then if I'm into them enough I'll check other stuff. I remember them back from the beginning of the last decade haha I actually liked a few stuff they did back then but not enough to keep following.

Anyway, merci ! :D


I'm going to see them at Belsonic with Kasabian next month and I haven't actually heard a single song by them since Shining Light... any recommendations where to start? :)
I didn't know Ash were supporting Kasabian @ Belsonic and it's on my door step.
If I had not just seen Kasabian @ Oxegen, I would be going.
I still would like to see Biffy again and they are playing a different night @ Belsonic - but then again it's very close to Muse @ Wembley with Biffy supporting :D

The current setlist is a very even mix of everything basically, it's perfect. :happy:

Here's the setlist from Benicássim a week and a half ago (that I missed by a day :'():

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4830420624_ec62c0bc15.jpg
nice wee set list

[Clunge]

Joy Kicks Darkness is by far the best song to come from A-Z so far, one of the coolest things I've ever seen live :happy:.

[Raiko]

You can buy their best of, which covers eveything up to the start of the A-Z series, and the first 13 A-Z songs have been released as an album
There's a best of that includes tracks from Meltdown and Twilight of the Innocents?

I've got to say, the second half of the A-Z has completely dipped in quality. Sky Burial and There is Hope Again sound quite promising. Binary was awesome and Carnival Love is quite good. Beyond that though its like a specialist album for the most hardcore of Ash fans. Nothing else really stands out. If I were to consider A-Z Volume 2 as an album, i'd say it was comfortably Ash's worst album.

[Raiko]

My 10 favourite A-Z tracks, in order

01 Arcadia
02 Space Shot
03 Binary
04 Neon
05 True Love 1980
06 War with Me
07 Tracers
08 Pripyat
09 Dionysion Urse
10 The Dead Disciples

[Davinq]

There's a best of that includes tracks from Meltdown and Twilight of the Innocents?

I've got to say, the second half of the A-Z has completely dipped in quality. Sky Burial and There is Hope Again sound quite promising. Binary was awesome and Carnival Love is quite good. Beyond that though its like a specialist album for the most hardcore of Ash fans. Nothing else really stands out. If I were to consider A-Z Volume 2 as an album, i'd say it was comfortably Ash's worst album.
Agreed.
My 10 favourite A-Z tracks, in order

01 Arcadia
02 Space Shot
03 Binary
04 Neon
05 True Love 1980
06 War with Me
07 Tracers
08 Pripyat
09 Dionysion Urse
10 The Dead Disciples
Disagreed, but only slightly:

1. Arcadia
2. Space Shot
3. Spheres
4. Joy Kicks Darkness
5. The Dead Disciples
6. Insects
7. Dionysian Urge
8. Ichiban
9. True Love 1980
10. Binary

If we were to include bonus tracks, I'd swap the last two out for Night Terrors and Return of White Rabbit or Pirates Are So 2004.

I do quite like a few tracks from the second half of A-Z (especially Spheres :happy:), but it has been far less consistent than the first half, and I really don't like some of the songs at all.

[Idiot Drugs]

Free All Angels had been my favourite Ash album for a long long time, but now Im starting to think Meltdown could be instead, its just an amazing Rock album. And as much as I love Ash I do wish Charlotte would come back, I think her and Tims song writing really worked well along with their great vocals.

[Kieren]

Agreed.

Disagreed, but only slightly:

1. Arcadia
2. Space Shot
3. Spheres
4. Joy Kicks Darkness
5. The Dead Disciples
6. Insects
7. Dionysian Urge
8. Ichiban
9. True Love 1980
10. Binary

If we were to include bonus tracks, I'd swap the last two out for Night Terrors and Return of White Rabbit or Pirates Are So 2004.

I do quite like a few tracks from the second half of A-Z (especially Spheres :happy:), but it has been far less consistent than the first half, and I really don't like some of the songs at all.

I disagree too...

1: Dare To Dream
2: Return Of White Rabbit
3: Gallows Hill
4: Tracers
5: Space Shot
6: Insects
7: Arcadia
8: Physical World
9: The Dead Disciples
10: True Love 1980

If anyone has Midnight Milita or Pirates Are So 2004 I'd be ever so grateful :'(

[James.]

Midnight Militia, and link to all bonus tracks:

http://view.email.topspin.net/?j=fe6315747565017e7213&m=ff011c70776507&ls=fdef12777263077a71147173&l=fe8b15797c67057570&s=fe201c7577650d7d7c1d74&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe2015767d6c027b761c71&r=0

[Kieren]

Midnight Militia, and link to all bonus tracks:

http://view.email.topspin.net/?j=fe6315747565017e7213&m=ff011c70776507&ls=fdef12777263077a71147173&l=fe8b15797c67057570&s=fe201c7577650d7d7c1d74&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe2015767d6c027b761c71&r=0

:dance: You are an excellent example of a human being.

[Davinq]

Spheres is so, so good.

[Kieren]

Holy shit-a-ma-boobs, Embers is 23 in the midweeks :stunned:

[Davinq]

Embers isn't bad itself. :happy:

[Davinq]

Sky Burial = 10 minute instrumental EPIC. Might be my favourite of the entire series, just wow. :eek:

[Kieren]

Embers is great, best in a long time BUT because I do not subscribe Ash are fleecing me for £2.49 for Sky Burial on iTunes! GAH will have to I thinks.

[Davinq]

Embers is great, best in a long time BUT because I do not subscribe Ash are fleecing me for £2.49 for Sky Burial on iTunes! GAH will have to I thinks.

It's worth having, definitely, but £2.49? :noey: iTunes is being naughty there.

[Zdarlight]

Omg,Polaris :'(

[Davinq]

Sky Burial has the potential to become my favourite Ash song, it's that fucking good.

[James.]

Sky Burial. Oh Em Gee. :stunned::stunned::stunned:

[Waldo]

Oh lord, I'm fangirling over Sky Burial too. :LOL: Absolutely brilliant, fantastic way to end the series (almost). Can't wait for There is Hope Again, that's bound to be rather exciting with a surprise. Mega gutted that the series is about to end though. After eagerly awaiting each track every fortnight for a year, feel like there's going to be something missing.

[Davinq]

Sky Burial. Oh Em Gee. :stunned::stunned::stunned:
Quoted for emphasis.
Oh lord, I'm fangirling over Sky Burial too. :LOL: Absolutely brilliant, fantastic way to end the series (almost). Can't wait for There is Hope Again, that's bound to be rather exciting with a surprise. Mega gutted that the series is about to end though. After eagerly awaiting each track every fortnight for a year, feel like there's going to be something missing.

I almost wonder if There Is Hope Again will be able to compete! It sounds decent in the 30-second sample, but even if it goes the TotI route it will take a lot to match what Sky Burial just accomplished.

[Kieren]

Quoted for emphasis.

I almost wonder if There Is Hope Again will be able to compete! It sounds decent in the 30-second sample, but even if it goes the TotI route it will take a lot to match what Sky Burial just accomplished.

I do like Sky Burial, but I think it's kinda weak for what it's attempting and about 2 minutes longer than it should be. Reminds me I need to get There Is Hope Again :awesome: collection almost complete.

[Davinq]

I don't really like There Is Hope Again. :erm:

[Liron]

http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/53243
jesus! lol

[James.]

http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/53243
jesus! lol

One of the band posted about that on the band's Facebook page while they were in South Africa. Seems like they (and Russell in particular) had quite an eventful time over there. :LOL:

[Davinq]

http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/53243
jesus! lol

:LOL:

Shouldn't be laughing, but still. :LOL:

[Kieren]

Dare I ask (I know I should've subscribed, finacially it was silly :facepalm:) but does anyone have Replicants or Nouvelles Aventures?

[Muse are terrible]

Bought A-Z Vol 2 today. Listening to a lot of these songs for the first time. Dare To Dream is fantastic.

[Kieren]

Well it's all over. Top 10 A-Z tracks?

1: Dare To Dream
2: Embers
3: Return To White Rabbit
4: Tracers
5: Gallows Hill
6: Space Shot
7: Arcadia
8: Insects
9: Physical World
10: The Dead Disciples

[Davinq]

1. Sky Burial
2. Arcadia
3. Spheres
4. Space Shot
5. Dead Disciples
6. Joy Kicks Darkness
7. Insects
8. Dionysian Urge
9. Ichiban
10. Embers

Sky Burial wins by a significant margin. I'm not even that big of a prog rocker, so the length of the song isn't even what appeals to me about it, it just feels so... perfect, I dunno.

[James.]

1. Joy Kicks Darkness
2. The Dead Disciples
3. Sky Burial
4. Instinct
5. Dionysian Urge
6. Arcadia
7. Binary
8. Spheres
9. Embers
10. Command

[Muse are terrible]

cbf putting them in order.

Arcadia
Spheres
Dare To Dream
Ichiban
Space Shot
Neon
Command
Dionysian Urge
Insects
Instincts

[Kieren]

If I may be so scroungey to ask...has anyone got Replicants or Nouvelles Aventures?

[James.]

If I may be so scroungey to ask...has anyone got Replicants or Nouvelles Aventures?

I've checked my emails but the download links don't work any more. :(

[Kieren]

I've checked my emails but the download links don't work any more. :(

D'oh. Thanks for looking anyway!

[Waldo]

I made A-Z Series cupcakes (http://tatjana-rlxa.tumblr.com/post/1635759396/ash-a-z-series-cupcakes). :chuckle:

[Davinq]

I made A-Z Series cupcakes (http://tatjana-rlxa.tumblr.com/post/1635759396/ash-a-z-series-cupcakes). :chuckle:

Those are :awesome:

[_Ed_]

Just heard an old b-side today that for some reason I haven't heard before - Solace. Jeez, it's bloody beautiful.

[Davinq]

Just heard an old b-side today that for some reason I haven't heard before - Solace. Jeez, it's bloody beautiful.

I've got the special edition of Meltdown that's got that on it. Quite a choon. :happy:

[T o m m y]

A-Z is the best thing to happen in music in a long time. Joy Kicks Darkness is probably one of my favourite songs of all time.

[Clunge]

JKD is definitely my favourite from A-Z.

[James.]

It was great to see them again in Sheffield on Sunday, and for free as well. :awesome:

It's good to have Rick back behind the drumkit after his time off for the birth of his little one.
Russell Lissack is playing live with them again too which is excellent.
I'd still prefer Charlotte to come back though. :(

It was a fairly standard set.

They've been rehearsing The Stranglers' No More Heroes (with Hugh Cornwell) and also Sky Burial for their UK tour dates. :stunned:

Here's a vid of their cover of Weezer's Only In Dreams:

lnZkYNVyB3g

and some pics:

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/188250_10150721818050389_883595388_19797621_494303 4_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/248491_10150721818565389_883595388_19797635_504939 7_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217526_10150721819370389_883595388_19797662_592817 7_n.jpg

[_Ed_]

From Ash's Facebook page:
Ash will be playing some special live shows to mark the release of the 'The Best Of Ash' album and Charlotte will be performing with the band once more for the UK tour. The shows will include the four piece playing the seminal “Free All Angels” Album in its entirety and a “Best Of” set.
:eek:
I'm speechless.

Being on the other side of the world kind of sucks.

[Clunge]

They're doing Bristol!

I'm so there :D.

[Davinq]

:( No PNW dates in there, of course.

[Idiot Drugs]

Cannot fucking wait :D

[James.]

Free All Angels shows.
The return of Charlotte.
Double win. :awesome:

[Clunge]

Seeing them tomorrow :awesome:.

[James.]

Should be seeing them on Sunday. If Ticketweb sort out what has happened to my ticket.

[Idiot Drugs]

Lucky cunts, jizz over Charlotte for me :(

[Musings1]

Best of is a great collection. Although to me after 1977 and Free All Angels I wouldn't be able to pinpoint another great album

[Clunge]

That rocked.

[Davinq]

I'll never see them. :supersad:

[Raiko]

I saw these guys for free in Sheffield a few months ago. They played the Tramlines festival there. Good times, although Tim can't sing too well. Still another childhood favourite band I can say i've seen and enjoyed! :)

[Clunge]

What? :stunned:. Tim is probably the best singer I've ever seen live, absolutely no bum notes while playing some challenging guitar and playing the crowd brilliantly. One of the best frontmen I've ever seen and a top singer.

Off night perhaps? I've seen them three times and he's been flawless everytime.

[James.]

I saw these guys for free in Sheffield a few months ago. They played the Tramlines festival there. Good times, although Tim can't sing too well. Still another childhood favourite band I can say i've seen and enjoyed! :)

What? :stunned:. Tim is probably the best singer I've ever seen live, absolutely no bum notes while playing some challenging guitar and playing the crowd brilliantly. One of the best frontmen I've ever seen and a top singer.

Off night perhaps? I've seen them three times and he's been flawless everytime.

I thought he sounded perfectly fine at that Sheffield gig.

Fantastic gig last night in Manchester. I was on the barrier at the left side in front of Charlotte. :happy:

There's a bootleg of last night's show on Ash Files here (http://www.ashfiles.com/forum/b-posttoti/m-1319440910/).

You need to register but it's quick and easy to do.

[_Ed_]

I'll never see them. :supersad:
Same. :(

They last played here in 2001, and I became a fan in 2002. :(

[Kerouac]

Quick note. Why is there another best of?

Intergalactic Sonic 7"s was awesome, and it came with a second disk of mostly excellent b-sides. There's been a few great songs since, but nothing I can think of that would make the new collection more worthwhile.

Do want to see them live :P

[Raiko]

I would say each to their own, but in Sheffield Tim was missing plenty of notes, in the same kinda way Chris Martin does actually. There are just notes he can't hit and sometimes avoids altogether. I would have to say Tim was one of the more unimpressive vocalists i've heard live. At least that time, the one time i've heard him live, at Tramlines. I saw about 15 bands that weekend, most of which i've never even heard of, and I would say vocally he was the worst of the lot. The songs generally, however, are just perfect for festivals.

[Musings1]

I would say each to their own, but in Sheffield Tim was missing plenty of notes, in the same kinda way Chris Martin does actually. There are just notes he can't hit and sometimes avoids altogether. I would have to say Tim was one of the more unimpressive vocalists i've heard live. At least that time, the one time i've heard him live, at Tramlines. I saw about 15 bands that weekend, most of which i've never even heard of, and I would say vocally he was the worst of the lot. The songs generally, however, are just perfect for festivals.

Tim does have a fairly limited range. Good enough for Ash's sound but won't win many vocalist of the year competitions

[Idiot Drugs]

Ive seen Ash a few times and Tim's voice has been amazing :happy: