Meltdown
by Ash
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Playlouder
    100
    Great pop from a great band.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    80
    This is Ash ready for stadiums, standing their ground and treating us to the kind of rock their heroes made.
  3. AllMusic
    80
    A surprisingly strong and assured record.
  5. Neumu.net
    80
    If you're a fan of tuneful, American-influenced pop-punk, Ash are waiting to burn a hole through your heart.
  6. Alternative Press
    80
    Noisy pop-punk that's bratty with pogoing entitlement. [Apr 2005, p.124]
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  7. Under The Radar
    80
    The band's melodies continue to be undeniable, but when guitar solos are added to the mix, the combination is electric. [#9]
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  8. Q Magazine
    80
    Ash have turned in a bullish and cocksure fifth studio album to delight the faithful. [Jun 2004, p.95]
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  9. Amazon.com
    80
    Meltdown is easily Ash's best album since 1977; this is the sound of a band becoming interesting again. [Amazon UK]
  10. Dot Music
    80
    “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.
  11. Mojo
    80
    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]
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  12. Logo
    70
    A below par effort by their high standards.
  13. Pitchfork
    68
    Sadly missing here is Ash's sense of vulnerability, a key element to their charm.
  14. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Meltdown gets stuck in a hard-rock rut. [11 Mar 2005, p.104]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Ricko
    Oct 13, 2011
    8
    In trying to follow up their number 1 hit album Free All Angels, Ash went
    for a heavier sound this time round. An album that really deserved    In trying to follow up their number 1 hit album Free All Angels, Ash went
    for a heavier sound this time round. An album that really deserved more
    success and recognition than it got. While it doesn't have the same volume
    of radio hits as Free All Angels or 1977, as a whole album it's arguably
    the bands strongest. Some great guitar work going on while Dave Grohl was
    reportedly a major fan of Rick McMurrays drumming on the album. Perhaps the
    reason for its commercial underperformance slipping off the radar was that
    it was caught between being too heavy for Ash's core fans and having too
    much pop melody going on to attract in the rock element.    … Full Review »
  2. matta
    May 26, 2005
    9
    Overall, a great album and an amazing singles album. Just as good and maybe even better than the much-hyped Free All Angels
  3. TimothyF
    Apr 8, 2005
    8
    A lot harder than the last. More mature than those before. It fits.
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