1977
Ash
1996
Album Summary
1977 is the debut studio album by Northern Irish rock band Ash. It was released on 6 May 1996 by Home Grown and Infectious Records, with whom the band had signed following the release of several demo tapes. Ash released the mini-album Trailer in 1994, and followed it with three singles "Kung Fu", "Girl from Mars", and "Angel Interceptor", all of which would reappear on 1977. Ash recorded their debut album with producer Owen Morris at Rockfield Studios in Wales in early 1996. Described as a Britpop, power pop and garage rock album, 1977 drew comparisons to the Buzzcocks, Dinosaur Jr., and Sonic Youth. Preceded by the album's fourth single "Goldfinger" in April 1996, the band embarked on tours of the United Kingdom and Europe. "Oh Yeah" was released as the fifth single in June 1996, followed by tours of the United States, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Ash ended the year with another US tour, as well as a US support slot for Weezer. They toured Europe and the UK, before their appearance at Glastonbury Festival. 1977 received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised the album's "catchy" nature. The album peaked at number one in the UK, as well as reaching the top 40 in Australia, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland. "Kung Fu", "Girl from Mars", "Angel Interceptor", "Goldfinger", and "Oh Yeah" all charted on the UK Singles Chart, with "Goldfinger" reaching the highest position at number five. 1977 appeared on several UK publications' best-of-the-year album lists, by the likes of Kerrang!, NME, and Melody Maker, among others. The album would later be certified platinum in the UK.
WikipediaI somehow was completely unfamiliar with this band so another blank slate to begin on... My initial impressions run from *this is fun aggressive rock album with somewhat typical (in a good way) 90s alt-rock progressions* to *...wow this gets a little boring...* And as I'm into my second listen through, I lean heavily towards the second sentiment. It's decent enough but a cynical commenter (me?) might question why this is one of the 1001 albums you must listen to. Not that it isn't fine, it actually is, but it's also...maybe just not that memorable? I gave this yet another spin today to see if something grabbed hold but you could have told me this was _______ [fill in with any of ~25 early-mid 90s bands from Boston or London or Seattle] and I wouldn't have blinked. Loud stereo guitars with a generally non-aggressive melodic vocal track over the top. Again: decent enough. For the most part. Inoffensive but I don't really remember anything about it. 4/10 2 stars for a fine of-the-period rock album but suffers from a sameness and lack of depth.
Reminds me of the burning issue of the nineties. Who was fitter: Charlotte from Ash or Hillary from JJ72 (it was Hillary). Fun album but loads better from that particular decade
This hit at the right time. Was very pumped for some 90s butt rock. Closest related listening from me is Sweet Apple. Anyone else trying to play some easy rock? Cmon!
I absolutely adore this album, always have. Girl from mars to me is the standout track, this sweet little love song poking its head above this sea of chaotic alt rock. Kung Fu is also great, such an infectious and high energy song. But the whole album is just really solid slightly grungy, slightly garagey alt-rock. Brilliant live band as well, so many good times seeing these guys at festivals. Plus it starts with a tie fighter sound, how could you go wrong.
I started listening to this and at first for some reason felt like this wasn’t particularly noteworthy. I was thinking this might be a 3 or so when I had to stop listening. When I picked up listening to it again it suddenly caught fire and I loved the second half. Wondering what had changed I immediately started the album over and decided first-time-listen-me was an idiot. These songs rock! Great guitars and drums and fun songwriting. I love this!
Had not heard of this band and after listening I am surprised they are not better known. A shimmering example of 90's grunge. Could hear bits and pieces that sounded like other bands - Weezer, Blur, Oasis, Black Sabbath, The Beatles - and anyone else hearing "Strangers in the Night" in "Lost in You"? Yet they still have their own unique sound.
I love that 90s British Rock sound. More "garage rock" than the rest of the genre. Lose Control has Offspring vibes... I like the chaos on I'd Give You Anything a lot. Kung Fu is fun - I remember it from the end of Rumble in the Bronx. It gets more Britpop as the album progresses but keeps the feedback and modulated guitars. Darkside Lightside is a big and awesome ender. Angsty. Young. Gen X shit. Not as catchy and theatrical as Oasis. Not as clever or innovative as Blur. But still a solid effort by a band I've never heard of in a genre I like.
Great singles - does it work as an album? Hmmm. Quite muffled production. Very impressive for a bunch of 17 year olds though.
This is one of those messy, pop-punk albums that could only be created by teenagers making their first album, but the highs on this record really shine through. 3.5/5
A bit like a more punk Bandwagonesque by Teenage Fanclub with a little Sonic Youth thrown in for good measure. Pretty solid.
Fully admit: this is one of my favourite albums from thr 90s. I like every track, there are some great transitions between songs. It's one of those albums where if each song wasn't played in order it would sound wrong. Really dig the production as well.
Just three teenagers from northern ireland having the time of their lives and it's fucking brilliant. 6 stars.
Banda da Irlanda do Norte. A primeira vez que ouço o som deles. Rock alternativo com britpop (pelo o que li, um movimento dos anos 1990 que exaltava o lado de ser britânico). Som leve, cativante... e pop. Me lembrou as canções do jogo "Tony Hawk".
Apple music categorizes this as pop punk and idk that I would have guessed that - but they are totally right. This album would fit right in with the Clueless soundtrack, but give it a smidge of Neutral Milk Hotel.
Loved this album. His voice is still terrible but the songs are great.
Hello teenage me! What a perfect album. Ash got tighter and more professional as they got older (they were sitting exams when they were on Top of the Pops) but in hindsight it's the naivety and wonkiness that makes this. Every poor decision pays off on this album and adds to it's poppy, punky charm. They still have a few good songs each album, but never the hit rate they had on here. Kung Fu, Goldfinger, Angel Interceptor, Lose Control, Oh Yeah and Girl From Mars - it would be hard to make a Best of Ash without most of this album!
Outstanding album. Full of youthful energy, timeless. Still sounds perfect more than 25 years on. I remember the sleevenotes from this having a photo of Tim in a bath, pouring a bottle of vodka into his face and thinking that was the most rock and roll image, and being so happy that kind of slightly intimidating excess was still a thing.
I've been complaining a lot in my reviews about all of the 90s-00s britpop albums, but I've got to say, I like this. It definitely sounds of its time, but the production is excellent, and the sound is poppy without sounding cheesey. I can see why they got comparisons to the Buzzcocks. The first track on the album is an absolute scorcher, and they keep going from there. I absolutely love the chunky distortion of the guitars 4/5
Um excuse me- I'd like to talk to the ambassador of music-Nick-would-have-loved for northern Ireland. The Irish ambassador was able to push cranberries through (not complaining), what the hell! The Blue album was released in 94, this album in 96. It was perfect for the time, and now! Northern Irish prick. Asshole was probably asleep at the wheel trying to figure out if he identifies more with a potato or a scone. Anyways, I loved this album, I would give it 5 stars but I've only gone through it once. I listened to some more singles, all which were great. I'll be listening to this more for sure.
Something about this just felt good. Really struck a lot of chords with me sonically.
Very evocative. A few absolute classics and a fair bit of filler as well.
Grotendeels uit jeugdsentiment 4 sterren. Klinkt inmiddels wel behoordlijk gedateerd, en die zanger mag toch eigenlijk geen zanger heten..... hoezo vals? Maar het scheurt en rockt wel lekker! 🤘
Lekkere plaat hor. Lang geleden dat ik die gehoord heb. Was in de nineties een hete band. Ik vond het toen niet zo geloof ik, maar nu vind het tof en catchy klinken.
Los grandes olvidados del grunge, traileros y atronadores por momentos y cercanos al punk pop a veces, están más cercanos a Soundgarden que a Nirvana. Vitamínico.
Great mix of slamming guitars and pop sensibilities. Maybe not the most original work in the world, but it was a fun ride!
The sound of endless summer, innocent fumblings and cider in the park.
Such a chill, sweet sounding rock album. A very throwback sound, I especially loved "Girl From Mars"!
Good start to the album! Really what I needed for work today. Ok maybe I just really need this album/type of music today, but I'm really enjoying it. Probably going to rate a 4. On the last song now, yeah I really enjoyed this album. It's not quite a 5 cuz of some of the vocal recordings (could just be part of the style) so I'm giving it a 4.
Una onda medio Green Day. El tema 4 "I'd give you anything" esta bueno. El 5 es muy Nirvana jaja. A la vez aveces suena como Coldplay, aveces como Oasis. Muy 90's todo. Tranquilamente podria ser soundtrack de Daria. El ultimo tema esta bueno tambien.
An awesome wave on 90's rock. Heavy distortion, big drums, just a wall of sound, while also using dynamics effectively to give room for wider sonic exploration. Vocals remind me of Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, cementing that 90's power pop feel. This sound is incredible, I love the rawness of the distortion and the chosen riffs. This is definitely a fallout from Nirvana's career, and I have no complaints whatsoever. Sonic Youth is another clear influence, with all of the best parts. 1977 is probably the most straightforward album on the list so far. As in, there isn't much to branch off from here, it's just making the best of it's influences. Ash doesn't do anything inventive or boundary-pushing, they just do the best with this sound and it's great.
Ooh. Grungy britpop. This works for me. I really liked it overall, and though I don't really have any songs that stood out to me, I think the general vibe and atmosphere that was created was pretty neat.
Wow nice album and a good discovery I think I'm going to spend some discovering this bands catalogue. The album has a lot of familiar influences. A little punky, a little grungy, some shoegazzy elements and a little Britton too. A solid 4 🌟
Pop rock perfection. Didnt think i knew any of their songs, actually knew loads and enjoyed a few of the ones i hadnt heard too
This might be my favorite album from a band I’ve never heard of that we’ve gotten so far
For nostalgia reasons, it's a classic album. Youth, talent and determination. The original CD had a hidden track at the end - Sick Party - of them all puking up. https://open.spotify.com/track/6m5JPMEeIDUzU6ifOYn9Yr
Cañero, guitarrero, mucha fuerza. Todo un descubrimiento. Realmente buenos.
File under 90s on 9. I have an affinity for the middle of the road 90s rock and this one started with a Tie Fighter so extra points
A charming and fun album. Overall the sound is pretty standard for modern alternative rock, but many of the songs are pretty distinct and catchy.
I always loved 'Girl from Mars" but the album can be a bit of a same-y wall of sound.
I’ve herd girl from mars but than that nothing I do tend to learn towards Britpop albums though due to personal bias… Lose control has this awesome aggressive intro and the pre chorus bit was cool too, felt like a theme song for the band. Goldfinger is a great song works well bringing the pace down after lose control but it’s not super slow. I don’t hate girl from mars but it is awfully “ fuzzy” sounding and other than the fact that it’s got a catchy chorus how was this the band’s big hit. It does flow well into I’d give you anything, a ( very fuzzy) mess of a song (in a good way) and has a good guitar solo adding an extra guitar. Gone the dream is much nicer sounding ( but more boring) than the last two I like the strings in the back of this one. I like the kung fu noises at the start of kung fu and the song sounds nice enough but the lyrics are stupid and when the cheering comes in around the second verse it doesn’t work. Oh yeah is much better a poppier track with some good strings the song really lacks a bridge though but it does have a cool guitar solo which kinda counts. The bit before let it flow explodes should be about half the length, the rest of the song is good though not a favourite but not the worst. Innocent smile flows really well off let it flow this is a heavier cut, with a cool instrumental drum break not the best not the worst. Angel interceptor is awesome great intro great song usually I don’t like backing vocals too much but these (surprisingly) worked quite nicely. Lost in you has been the only time the album’s wanted to slow down, it does build up in aggressiveness but never to the extent of others. Darkside lightside is a huge final blow in the face, for my personal opinions of album tracklisting I would’ve had this as the penultimate and lost in you as the closer until the song goes to its “ lightside” an instrumental bit which really feels like the listener has reached the end of something epic. There are worse Britpop albums on the generator ( elastica’s debut, the cornershop album) much better on the generator ( suede’s dog man star, pulp’s different class) and much better that aren’t on the generator ( ocean colour scene’s Mosley shoals and the longpigs the sun is often out). Overall though it’s very solid and does deserve a place on this generator even if it’s a more mid level Britpop album.
Det här var jättebra! älskar gitarrer wroom wroom. och sorgliga låtar om kärlek mjao >.>>>>
The opening track “Lose Control” is a high intensity start to the album. Beginning with the sound of a Tie Fighter flying in the song just has an energy to it that you can’t help but bop up and down to. The song “Girl from Mars” sounded a bit familiar. I like the use of intense distortion in that song I think Wikipedia called it wall of guitars. Really enjoyed the interweaving guitars in “I’d Give you Anything.” The track “Innocent Smile” was the standout for me. Great tribute to Sonic Youth in the buildup there. The rest of the album had some good moments but there were a few forgettable tracks on here as well. I think it’s a solid 3 or maybe 3.5 since the tracks that really stood out makes me want to check out some of their other stuff.
I know Girl from Mars and that's about it (maybe heard Kung Fu once or twice before). These guys are better than I thought. Lose Control was a great song to kick off the album - guitars really jam on this one. As far as its other singles, Angel Interceptor had similar energy to their two best known songs above (good tune) while Goldfinger and Oh Yeah not so much - still, pretty good (Oh Yeah has some nice Oasis-esque guitarwork in the last half of the song). I also liked I'd Give You Anything and Darkside Lightside (more cool guitarwork on both) and Lost in You (has that chill mid-90's alternative ballad sound). Not sure what makes them so unique to be on this list, but if you're a rocker there's a lot to like here. I definitely wanted to (and did) play the album multiple times. Checked out a few songs from other albums too - definitely a band I'll need to look more into.
this sounds exactly like you would think it sounds. but not in a bad way
8/10. Girl From Mars is a classic that I heard a lot growing up, but after over 500 of these albums, I'd worried that this album would be one of those that's just on the list because it had one good song. As such, this album was a pleasant surprise. It was a bit long, but I enjoyed it throughout and will likely come back to it.
ugh. so good. it's got a garage/grunge sound that I really dig, the vocals are appropriate for the genre. It's playful and it rocks pretty hard.
Really great, strong rock music. Oasis-tinged, but so was most rock music during the time. I really enjoyed listening. I’ll definitely be sure to return to some tracks — “Girl From Mars” especially.
Robert est en feu en ce moment, son pacemaker vient en effet d'être réajusté suite à un disfonctionnement qui pompait une grande partie de son énergie. L'horizon est radieux dans le ciel générateurien.
I'd never heard of Ash until today, but everything I've read about the band told me I would like them. This proved true! What a great 90's alt rock/grunge/pop rock band. I heard influence from many different sources while listening to them: (1) Goldfinger sounds quite a bit like Nirvana; (2)the vocals on the chorus of Girl From Mars sounds like Weezer; (3)the chord progression in I'd Give You Anything sounds like N. I. B. by Black Sabbath A few songs on the album run into each other seamlessly (notably Girl From Mars into I'd Give You Anything, and Let It Flow into Innocent Smile) I thoroughly enjoyed this listening experience. From the heavy distortion and sludgy guitars to the tight drums this album was great! If I were to have any criticisms at all it would be that sometimes the vocals fall behind the wall of sound and distortion a bit, and the use of static as a backing sound in a section of Innocent Smile was a bit irritating, otherwise a great album. Favourite songs: I'd Give You Anything, Angel Interceptor, Kung Fu, Girl From Mars, Lose Control, Goldfinger, Darkside Lightside Least favourite songs: Lost In You, Innocent Smile 4/5
Ca sonnait super bien j’ai eu du plaisir dans lecoute. Du bon rock pour vrai. 4
This was a big deal back in 1996. Steve Lamacq was all over them. Ash were the young kids that could unite indie and pop. They pretty much pulled it off with 1977. What's great about this album is the pure pop: Goldfinger, Girl From Mars, Oh Yeah, Angel Interceptor - all timeless songs that would work just as well if they recorded by a boy band. Ash add an extra snark and snarl to the tunes. It's a pretty cool package when put together.
This was a really good album, I was actually shocked. Some sweet sweet rock and roll on this one. First half of the album is very solid. Girl from mars was good. The strength of this record is the 2nd half starting with Oh yeah. What a great song. Lost in you is one of the best songs I've heard from any of these albums. Darkside lightside is a fantastic closer. Kick ass album 7/10
You know I'd not heard this for twenty years, owned by my partner. Girl From Mars was a banger always, but Kung Fu, Angel Interceptor, Oh Yeah are also absolutely brilliant too. I had this pigeonholed as mid-table Britpop but I'd put this in an Europa league place.
So I was not going to listen to this today. I’ve been getting burnt out on pre-80s albums I have no context for and I misread and thought this album came out in 1977. I know Ash because they’ve had a song or two in Gran Turismo. But that’s it. This music I am such a sucker for; the noisey pop-rock. Adding this album to my regular rotation.
uncomplicated fun pop-punk anthems for upbeat road trips or trendy thrift stores. Album is a bit too long and I can't fault people for getting tired of it. 3.75/5
Вкусно, бодро, приятно. Выебонов в наличии, но чёт не удержал до конца, 4- (Пора возвращать привычку добавлять песни в личные плейлисты, память ужасная, так что интрушку послушайте, хз)
The influence of earlier bands from Northern Ireland is clear, particularly that of the Buzzcocks. Garage rock of decent quality, and at least with vocals that don't harm the sound. Nothing that will be added to my personal playlists but a good album all the same.
Great for playing air guitar to. And I remember 'Girl from Mars'. Pretty good all round.
Rockia jossa on osittain pop punkkimaisia ja välillä jopa psykehtäviä vivahteita. Menevää kamaa
Any album called 1977 that starts with the sound of a TIE fighter is ok by me!
Never heard of them before but it's pretty good Britpop with less whiny vocals when compared with Oasis. High energy rock.
Really good album with a great pace. Can’t believe this is my first listen of it
Somewhere between Warped Tour and Nirvana. Took me a few listens to get through, can be a little whiny. Still, I enjoy the vibe of ordering a fancy coffee in a hipster cofffeeshop in Seattle while this blares over the speakers. Favorite tracks: "I'd Give You Anything", "Innocent Smile"
Not a bad album, but not an amazing one either, felt a bit meh at time.
Ah, eräs teinivuosien suosikkibändeistä jota en tosiaankaan olettanut näkeväni tällä listalla. Soundit ovat paljon nuhaisemman kuuloiset kun olin muistellut. Muutenkin meno on vähän väljähtäneen oloista eikä tämä jaksa enää innostaa ihan niin paljoa kuin nuorempana. Ehkä muutenkin Free All Angels oli enemmän mun juttu Ash-levyistä. Korvamatoisat kertsit kyllä toimii edelleenkin!