Ash still generate radio-friendly tunes on Kablammo!, but they lack the depth that they demonstrated at their peak, and sound a little like they're merely repeating their post-millennial releases at this point.
Definitely the most consistent collection of songs they have ever put together. The opening track and first singleFrom a true Ash fan:
Definitely the most consistent collection of songs they have ever put together. The opening track and first single "Cocoon" immediately confirms Ash are looking to please their loyal fans with an album of throwbacks to some of their best moments - this song would sit comfortably in fan-favourite album Free All Angels. "Let's Ride" and "Go! Fight! Win!" are fun variations of the classic Ash-flavoured punk pop whilst "Moondust" and "For Eternity" are amongst the best ballads Tim Wheeler has ever written.
For me, however, the three standouts are "Machinery", "Hedonism" and "Dispatch" - the first two are instant classics, with delicious melodies and sugary vocals that can be compared to 1977 tracks "Girl From Mars" and "Angel Interceptor" respectively. The latter, however, looks to the other end of the Ash spectrum and channels the synth-fueled pop epicness of the A-Z series. Think "Return Of White Rabbit" meets "Spaceshot".
Kablammo! is just Ash doing what they do best. If there are any criticisms, there are a couple of just okay tracks and it might lack something as mind-blowing as "Twilight Of The Innocents" or "Lose Control" but that's if you're being very harsh. There's something here for every Ash lover to keep us occupied until the next album - assuming there are no more ultimatums.…Expand
I've always been a fan of Ash and of Tim Wheeler's writing. 1977 and Free All Angels are pop rock masterpieces. I thought "Nuclear Sounds" wasI've always been a fan of Ash and of Tim Wheeler's writing. 1977 and Free All Angels are pop rock masterpieces. I thought "Nuclear Sounds" was an excellent effort and showed a maturity to Wheelers writing that we have rarely been privy to. "Meltdown" is heavy rock bursting with pop melody, another great but overlooked record of the 00's. "Twilight of the Innocents" dropped the bar a bit and the band's crazy dive into their A-Z singles series had as many disappointing moments as it had sublime ones. The band seemed to be following a pattern of diminishing returns. Tim Wheelers solo album "Lost Domain" hinted there was still something left in the songwriting tank and 2015 saw the somewhat surprising release of "Kablammo", the 6th proper album from Ash. The band are still plugging their brand of indie pop over 20 years after their first release. Walking down the same path for so many years, the fear was that "Kablammo" would sound forced and jaded. Opener "Cocoon" immediately dispells this fear - a lightning quick example of Ash at their very best. Energetic, melodic and unrestrained. "Lets Ride" is based around a chainsaw guitar riff and is a close cousin to "WildSurf" from "Nuclear Sounds". "Machinery" continues the strong vein of form, a substantial pop song with a verse similar to Thin Lizzy's "Whisky in the Jar". "Free" has mellow verses that contrast with the songs soaring choruses."Go! Fight! Win" is "Meltdown" era Ash, hard hitting drums driving a heavy riff complete with cheerleading backing vocals. So far things are going swimmingly and Ash are rocking out. "Moondust", marking the half way point of the album is the first real disappointment for me. Not necessarily a terrible song but it kills the momentum of the record, is too slow paced and is out of place. "Evel Knievel" tries to pick the pace back up with "Hedonism" further building on this attempt however the damage has been done at this stage. The remainder of the album cruises towards its close without any real highlight apart from the synth pop of "Bring Back the Summer". Side one of "Kablammo" is a good as anything Ash have done since "Free All Angels". Side two is decent without ever being better than plain good.…Expand
