Islands
by Ash
User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
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  1. Neptar
    Jun 7, 2018
    9
    This album requires a few listens. Upon first listen it might come across as quite middle of the park. If you delve a bit deeper it's actually a really good album. Some tracks are a little on the cheesy side and ash fans of old may be disappointed by some tracks which are driven by synth rather than power chords and catchy guitar melodies. It's like Tim Wheeler has looked to include aThis album requires a few listens. Upon first listen it might come across as quite middle of the park. If you delve a bit deeper it's actually a really good album. Some tracks are a little on the cheesy side and ash fans of old may be disappointed by some tracks which are driven by synth rather than power chords and catchy guitar melodies. It's like Tim Wheeler has looked to include a broader spectrum of his influences. They got the undertones involved in backing vocals for Buzzkill. Anyone that has followed Tim Wheeler with his solo material and recent ash material will recognise that this album covers his whole career, you can find a song from every era. The guitar work on this album in places is definitely some of the best he has done especially in the latter parts of the album. Did you love burn out? being a good example, showing lead guitar with good tone and feel, not too flashy but fits the song very well. My only criticism is that the album is quite diverse in places it almost feels like 3 different albums merged into one, and intro, middle and an end. I think it starts off and ends well though. It's not perfect, and I am not sure if this music has a place in the mainstream anymore but I don't care as I like it and I am sure many other fans of Ash will.… Expand
  2. Funkymonk
    May 22, 2018
    8
    Ash are a great band and probably a bit underrated. They've never been innovative or ground breaking they just write great songs mixing perfect pop hooks with a heavy punk/rock edge. They're also very prolific and consistent - over 25 years in the business and I don't think they've done a bad album. Islands is another one full of great songs and again nothing ground breaking but in todaysAsh are a great band and probably a bit underrated. They've never been innovative or ground breaking they just write great songs mixing perfect pop hooks with a heavy punk/rock edge. They're also very prolific and consistent - over 25 years in the business and I don't think they've done a bad album. Islands is another one full of great songs and again nothing ground breaking but in todays dreary musical landscape it actually has a freshness and oomph about it.… Expand
  3. Ricko
    Jul 6, 2018
    8
    The hook factory that is Tim Wheeler returns with Ash 23 years after their debut with "Islands", an album up with their best work. I have always regarded Wheeler as an incredible pop song writer and his ability to come up with an earworm consistently is up their with the very best. In another time this album would have been as big as their commercial peaks "1977" and "Free All Angels".The hook factory that is Tim Wheeler returns with Ash 23 years after their debut with "Islands", an album up with their best work. I have always regarded Wheeler as an incredible pop song writer and his ability to come up with an earworm consistently is up their with the very best. In another time this album would have been as big as their commercial peaks "1977" and "Free All Angels". There are certainly as many potential singles on "Islands" and while there may be no all time classics like "Girl From Mars" or "Shining Light" here there is an abundance of brilliant material. Strangely, the album starts off slowly with opening pair "True Story" and "Annabel" two of the weakest tracks on the album. These are standard enough before the cathartic "Buzzkill" blow you out of the water. This is followed by the excellent "Confessions in the Pool", a disco influenced groover and my favourite track from the album, the Ashtastic "All That I Have Left". "Somersault", "Is It True" and the also excellent "Silver Suit" are all songs that would all fit on the bands best albums. The second half of the album has some more reflective material akin to Wheelers solo album from a few years back which give "Islands" a nice balance. A punk pop masterpiece and one of my favourite of 2018 so far.… Expand
  4. Doof
    Jun 5, 2018
    1
    Just awful, I mean effectively they're half retired now, they know they're no longer chart botherers - so why so critical? I just found 'Islands' a desperate attempt, poor Ash, now is not the time to copy Arcade Fire. They've made a stab at 'Everything Now' when really they should have just updated everything from back then. Feeble.
  5. charliequaker
    Feb 23, 2019
    0
    9th album from this underrated Irish band led by the exceptional songwriting and performance ability of Tim Wheeler. There is probably no band better than Ash at creating epic power pop tunes. They know how to take a song, inject it with a hum-along hook and soaring guitars, and just make the melody fly! The undeniably muscular guitars explode with force & finesse, while sporadic keyboards9th album from this underrated Irish band led by the exceptional songwriting and performance ability of Tim Wheeler. There is probably no band better than Ash at creating epic power pop tunes. They know how to take a song, inject it with a hum-along hook and soaring guitars, and just make the melody fly! The undeniably muscular guitars explode with force & finesse, while sporadic keyboards weave swirls of bubbly excitement. Wheeler’s lyrics and voice are in perfect harmony with the compellingly reliable song structure. There are no surprises in the formula here, and that’s okay. When you do something this well, change is superfluous. Every single track here is a 5-star treasure. “Islands” is the consummate paradigm of the heights power pop can attain. No other band in the genre shines brighter than Ash. Highly Recommended.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. AllMusic
    Jul 17, 2018
    60
    Tim Wheeler--who produced the record on his own--is as much a craftsman as a songwriter, hammering out melodies and riffs, and his resulting tunes aren't fashionable, but they are sturdy.
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  2. musicOMH.com
    Jun 14, 2018
    70
    Islands will take a little longer to hit the spot. When it does though, it could well challenge some of their best efforts, even if their diehard fans fail to agree on first listen.
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  3. Drowned In Sound
    Jun 6, 2018
    80
    This is a slick, confident, emotionally mature and balanced album, crammed with zingers, from a band who know their territory like the back of their hands.
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