All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Playlouder

Great pop from a great band.

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Dot Music

“Meltdown” is a sturdy, well-written and (perpetually adolescent lyrics aside) mature addition to Ash’s enduring and near-essential canon – ample reward for ten years’ loyal support.

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Mojo

Retains the gum-tingling pop harmonies and guitar-throttling riffs of previous albums, but their reedy punk sinew has swollen into rock muscle. [Jun 2004, p.112]

Q Magazine

Ash have turned in a bullish and cocksure fifth studio album to delight the faithful. [Jun 2004, p.95]

Amazon.com

Meltdown is easily Ash's best album since 1977; this is the sound of a band becoming interesting again. [Amazon UK]

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Drowned In Sound

This is Ash ready for stadiums, standing their ground and treating us to the kind of rock their heroes made.

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All Music Guide

A surprisingly strong and assured record.

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Neumu.net

If you're a fan of tuneful, American-influenced pop-punk, Ash are waiting to burn a hole through your heart.

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Alternative Press

Noisy pop-punk that's bratty with pogoing entitlement. [Apr 2005, p.124]

Under The Radar

The band's melodies continue to be undeniable, but when guitar solos are added to the mix, the combination is electric. [#9]

Logo

A below par effort by their high standards.

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Pitchfork

Sadly missing here is Ash's sense of vulnerability, a key element to their charm.

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Entertainment Weekly

Meltdown gets stuck in a hard-rock rut. [11 Mar 2005, p.104]

PopMatters

Ash manage to connect more often than not, and when the songs do work, the riffs and hooks achieve a surprisingly effective balance.

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The Guardian

A straight-ahead rock album that already sounds like a festival set list in waiting.

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Stylus Magazine

Ultimately, Meltdown isn’t as dramatic a failure as its title seems to be begging me to pronounce it--in fact it isn’t really a failure at all. It’s just a crucial dip in momentum.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 15 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

matt a gave it a9:
Overall, a great album and an amazing singles album. Just as good and maybe even better than the much-hyped Free All Angels

Timothy F gave it an8:
A lot harder than the last. More mature than those before. It fits.

Thomas W gave it a9:
very strong songs, Detonator being best ...interested to see if the guys kick on for next LP

henrik gave it a7:
Very energetic songs; like most of them - some are a little pathetic. But all in all it's a round album that rocks big time.

Luca S gave it an8:
A big surprise.Their best album since 1977.

Barry S gave it a10:
Free All Angels was a classic. This would beat it in a fight!

Joe C gave it an8:
Puts most British rock bands firmly in their place

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Meltdown

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