Twilight of the Innocents

A classic Ash album

Irish alternative rock band Ash has had quite a thorny way to fame. Although debut album 1977 and the following works of the 1990s Nu-Clear Sounds and mini-album Trailer were relatively successful numerous tours were a little bit exhausting for the collective which then consisted of lead vocalist Tim Wheeler, also playing guitar and piano, bassist Mark Hamilton also providing vocals and drummer Rick McMurray and also back-vocalist Charlotte Hatherley. In 2002 album Free All Angels was released to receive the highest praise of the audience and critics and to make the band one of the most popular rock acts in the world. It was followed by the 2004 record Meltdown which was no less successful. Two years later the collective parted with Charlotte and after some time it was announced that new album Twilight Of The Innocents would be the last full creation of Ash, and that in future the guys were going to release only singles. This made a real hype around the album and it equaled to expectations completely. Recorded in a more retro style than all the previous works Twilight Of The Innocents is still a classic Ash album, with each of the songs being a masterpiece in its own way.

Twilight Of The Innocents meets the requirements of a quality rock record

Album Twilight Of The Innocents completely meets the requirements of a quality rock record. There is a great drum work and guitar solos here, and Wheeler's vocals never cease to surprise with its power and width of range. Rhythmic anthem to ruined relationship I Started A Fire opens the album striking with emotions and great metaphors, with the main character accepting his fault. A harder composition You Can't Have It All is based on the contrast of depressing lyrics and impetuous rhythm. Speaking about the album's highlights one cannot but name song Polaris – a slow track with magnificent istrumental background and an amazing tune. Luxurious guitar solo refines song Palace Of Excess, and End Of The World starts with the effect of far away crowd's screaming, the song really sounds like it has come from the 1970s, and only its topical lyrics proves that it has been written quite recently. Melodious track Shadows has a great rhythm, and guitar domiminates here more than ever. Good old rock'n'roll number Princess Six is rebuff to a girl sung by a guy with a broken heart who tells oneself he is not going to suffer because of her. Shattered Glass is again an example of unforgettable guitar playing, and the final title track Twilight Of The Innocents begins as a ballad refined with fine fiddles and gradually grows into a fantastic powerful compositon.

A really grandiose creation

If we trace the way the style of Ash has been changing from album to album it becomes clear why some refer the band to Brit-pop, others to punk, third to grunge, and fourth to hard rock. On the one hand such indeterminacy can disturb the fans' judgment, but on the other it means that Ash musicians constantly give themselves new tasks, and each time their undertaking is crowned with success. Some have feared that without Charlotte Hatherley the band's sounding will lose a lot, however, a really grandiose creation Twilight Of The Innocents has proved the opposite. Besides the singer and the band members have remained on friendly terms with each other. They could probably come back to collaborations again, if it were not for the decision taken by Ash to refuse to record new albums. Of course there may appear enough surprises among the singles the guys are still going to release, especially it concerns stylistic innovations. Nevertheless the future remains a secret, and what we have in the present is a unique farewell album Twilight Of The Innocents. There is no doubt that all the best of Ash is concentrated in this work, therefore for both those who have been long following the Irish's career and those who are going to listen to their music for the first time, Twilight Of The Innocents will become a priceless acquisition.