1977

I 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.

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 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.

A bit like a more punk Bandwagonesque by Teenage Fanclub with a little Sonic Youth thrown in for good measure. Pretty solid.

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

A generic Weezer meets Stroke-9 middle 90's alt rock clone. They probably liked that one high school song by Local H, if I had to guess. It's not that good. It doesn't really belong on a list. Maybe for an angsty 13 year old in 1996? Who was just one album away from finding something with some energy and meaning? Or maybe one album away from the myriad flavors of nu-metals infamous rap-rock-DJ collabs? Can't say. Not good. It's a two because the playing is proficient. It should be a one.

British Popish

For me this album is all the offcut Brit pop music amalgamated into one album. Then they added one straight Black Sabbath rip off and tried to hide it all under a huge layer of fuzz guitar. No thanks

Is Tim Wheeler a good singer? Not really. Is he a brilliant guitar player? Not especially. But I love this album. It’s a fucking 90’s classic, riddled with great tunes and it was done by lads from just up the road. What’s not to like?

uppa norn iron

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!

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!

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!

Gotta love an album that kicks off with Star Wars sound effects. This album certainly kicks off with a cracking pace and settles into a nice rhythm. Girl From Mars and Kung Fu are certainly the highlights, not bad for a debut.

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

Has an early Weezer "Blue Album" vibe to it, so I'm all about it

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.

Solid. No bad song on this album

Liked it but won't revisit. Has enough Weezer elements to push the 'why is the Blue Album not on this list' button.

Another Britpop band I’ve never heard of. The first track sounds like Weezer crossed with the Buffy theme song. Cool guitar solo, though. Second track sounds like if Rivers Cuomo became the lead singer of Lit (to be fair, I loved Lit back in the day). Another fun guitar solo. The more this album went on the more I kept thinking about how much they sounded like Weezer, sometimes crossed with a bit of other bands (Oasis, the Beatles, Lit, Travis, Ramones, etc.). Then I got to “Kung Fu,” which I guess is their racist version of “Buddy Holly”? Reading that they in fact opened for Weezer was the least surprising thing I’ve learned all week. Look, this was a catchy album, even if it is repetitive. The lyrics are decently written but trite. Every song is about the same thing — a guy obsessed with a girl who’s not there. The musicianship is pretty good, and there are cool guitar solos on almost every song. The lead singer is good, but he sounds like a carbon copy of Rivers Cuomo. Actually, he’s a little less annoying than Rivers. Is there anything special about this album that I needed to hear before I die? If there is, I must be missing it. To me it sounds like any number of Weezer soundalike bands from the mid to late 90s. There’s nothing memorable about it that would make me want to listen again. 3/5

No. 182/1001 Lose Control 2/5 Goldfinger 4/5 Girl from Mars 3/5 I'd Give You Anything 2/5 Gone the Dream 4/5 King Fu 3/5 Oh Yeah 3/5 Let It Flow 3/5 Innocent Smile 3/5 Angel Interceptor 2/5 Lost In You 4/5 Darkside Lightside 3/5 Average: 3,0 Pretty cool album.

Fine. Sounds like a less good Foo Fighters

This is fine. I don't know enough about this band too could have been contacts there's some songs that are really fun and some are doing something interesting

"Girl From Mars" is great, and unsuspectingly has the highest play count of any track on the album via Spotify. I really love the melody and the guitar tones. That distortion really is just too loud though.. when it goes away the rest of the song sounds a little weak volume-wise. Solid besides that. "I'd Give You Anything" got Black Sabbath stuck in my head after listening, because the riff sounds just like the song "NIB". Pretty nice album. Not a ton stood out to me though. It's not exactly bad but I don't know if you need to hear it before you die.

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

Great singles - does it work as an album? Hmmm. Quite muffled production. Very impressive for a bunch of 17 year olds though.

The sweet spot between Nirvana and the Jonas Brothers.

Generic 90s alt/grunge rock. There was nothing unique, important, or interesting about the music

"Goldfinger" was a good song. These guys want to sound like Nirvana/Smashing Pumpkins, but were a little too watered-down and late to the party. "I'd Give You Anything" is ripped off from Black Sabbath's N.I.B. Other than that, there wasn't anything memorable about any of these tracks.

ei tartte lyyrikoita kuunnella ja ymmrätää kun voi fiilistellä...

Ash – 1977 Album Review Ash’s 1977 isn’t just an album—it’s a time capsule of teenage rebellion, romance, and raw exuberance. Released in 1996, it catapulted the Northern Irish trio into the spotlight, blending Britpop melodies with punk urgency. The album feels like a love letter to youthful chaos, capturing the kind of unfiltered energy that only comes from a band barely out of their teens. Opening with “Lose Control,” complete with a cheeky Star Wars TIE fighter scream, the album establishes its playful yet forceful tone. This is not a record that tiptoes around its influences; it embraces them. Tracks like “Goldfinger” and the iconic “Girl From Mars” shine with hook-laden melodies and crunchy guitars, showcasing Ash’s ability to craft earworms that feel both nostalgic and fresh. “Kung Fu” is a frenetic punk anthem that barrels through its runtime with reckless abandon, while “Oh Yeah” slows things down for a wistful, sun-soaked ode to summer love. The diversity in sound is one of 1977’s greatest strengths—it oscillates between raw punk energy and polished pop sensibilities without ever losing its charm. But what makes 1977 truly special is its sincerity. Ash wasn’t trying to reinvent the wheel here; instead, they made a record that feels intensely personal yet universally relatable. The lyrics are simple but heartfelt, the production is unpretentious, and the energy is infectious. Even in its quieter moments, like “Darkside Lightside,” the album radiates an authenticity that resonates. Nearly three decades later, 1977 still holds up. It’s a snapshot of a band finding their voice and having a blast doing it. For anyone who’s ever felt the electric spark of youth—the reckless joy, the heartbreak, the endless nights—this album is a perfect soundtrack. Ash might have grown up since, but 1977 ensures their teenage spirit will live on forever.

Impossible to separate this from the nostalgia I feel for this album. "1977" was the second CD I owned (Dodgy's "Free Peace Sweet" was the first) and it provided the soundtrack to summer of '96, when my 16-year-old self was discovering new levels of freedom in the most inept way possible. Ash were Oasis for sci-fi nerds like me. It's still great, to me, perfectly paced, and Owen Morris' wall-of-sound production makes it a lot rockier than their Britpop peers' albums. Tim Wheeler doesn't always hit the right note, but the boyish charm of his singing means it doesn't matter. The only thing missing is the bonus puke track, which is here (if you dare listen!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYivCDJN9PQ

Biased because this is one of my seminal rock records/bands but this is a 5 star from track 1.

I'm surprised I've never heard of these guys, because this is right up my alley. The singer reminds me so much of someone else. Maybe Weezer, sebadoh, or hum or a combination of them. A bunch of very enjoyable tunes. Some great melodies, and great guitar tone. This will definitely go into my rotation. Mid 5.

Such a good album, very 90's tracks that just hit different, takes me back to better times!

A great great album and another one I heard at a young & important age (still remember staying up late to tape their 1996 concert at the Point off the radio). 5 stars for me for sure. Slightly doubting whether it should be on this list (question how influential it's been) but it is a way better and more polished piece of work than probably half the stuff on this list. And they were *so* young. This album is teenage potential and teenage possibilities in a bottle. Favourite songs: Goldfinger, Angel Interceptor, Darkside Lightside.

An album I loved at the time, and a band I have seen live a bunch of times - most memorably at T in the Park 2001 when I was taken to the medical tent after bouncing about too much! Hard to believe this was a debut - it sounds so fully realised and confident.

1996

Buenísimo. Tremenda sorpresa pop-rock-punk. Eso podría no parecer absolutamente genial, pero sí lo fue.

1977 was the year of cataclysmic change. Two sevens clash, new hopes, disco fever, stiff little fingers, all the bollocks. It was also the birth year of the principal members of Ash and they congregate to make an absolute blast with this album. More aligned with Dookie than Definitely Maybe, 1977 wears its influences on its sleeve, baring its weird, often angular, at times sincere nature. Britpop this is not and, with the way it was heading, it's for the best.

Ohhh I know this one well. So many times cranking 'Let it flow', which is lame and a banger in equal measure. Easy 5 for rock and nostalgia (nostalgia from age 27, so pretty consistent)

You know what? I’m at a 5. I really am stunned by that; maybe I’m just sort of overreacting on a first impression, but I seriously enjoyed that a lot. The only track I wasn’t feeling was I’d Give You Anything, which just has a fucking huge wall of noise at the end of it that drowns out any semblance of a melodic structure. Besides that though… yeah, I just really liked it; I think the vocals are the weakest part, but they’re not bad, they just feel like they could’ve added a bit more character to each song. The lyrics, while sort of lackluster, do the job they’re supposed to do, which is to get the feeling across, and the feeling is expertly weaved into the soundscape – I adore the way this album sounds. I think every song here has a really strong structure to it, save for I’d Give You Anything, and that structure, both vocally and instrumentally is what really carries this album to a super honest spot. I can firmly believe this was an album written by a 19-year-old kid, and that honesty makes its way through every track here in a way that I just kind of admire. I’m also a sucker for a good Star Wars reference, which I honestly didn’t pick up on until reading the title of the last track, then hearing them humming the Star Wars theme at the end, and then realizing 1977 is when A New Hope came out. It’s a seriously good album, and I’m feeling super good about giving it a 5. I really liked it, man.

90s Irish rock !? What! How did I not know about these guys? Super awesome and maybe my fave find of this 1001 Albums journey so far.

Wow, this was a great find! I ended up in the deluxe edition which I normally hate, but I could have listened to this all day!

Dayum, this has been one of my favourite first listens of an album so far. This shit slaps. There's so much energy in the drums and guitar playing it keeps me engaged which a lot of other records can't do. Fav songs: - Lose Control - Goldfinger - I'd Give You Anything - Gone the Dream - Innocent Smile - Angel Interceptor

This is the kind of album that this project was built for! Rocks so hard and so awesomely from beginning to end. Loved the use of strings too! Favorite track: “Girl From Mars”.

Kings of cool distorted guitar! Definitely some filler tracks, but the highlights set a massive ceiling

Should’ve known I would like it as soon it opened with the TIE Fighter sound. Enjoyed the whole thing. The front half and final few tracks were all great with a little in the middle I was pretty indifferent too. Rating: 4.6

love every track from start to finish

Brilliant brilliant LP - Oh yeah! Brilliant music

- This is perfect - Love the garagy, yet clean vibes - Oh Yeah, and Lose Control were great songs - Would for sure go back to this

This was rad

Very good hard rock album. Am exited to revisit

Stupendous album from a band who were still teenagers when it was released. Just an instant classic.

Awesome

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.

Loved this album. His voice is still terrible but the songs are great.

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.

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".

A banger for sure

Thoroughly joyous mid 90s nostalgia. Packed with great songs

Just three teenagers from northern ireland having the time of their lives and it's fucking brilliant. 6 stars.

Amazing, the energy picked up my twenty year old self again 😀

ok

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.

Definitely my type of music. 0RS

very high 4

If I had to classify this album with one word it'd be upper-mediocre. Who knew a British band could do poppy grunge better than most Seattle bands...? It's a low bar, sure, but this album surprised me. Darkside Lightside sounded like a demure Stone Temple Pilots. Innocent Smile's build and increasing pace was unexpected and Lost in You was sickly sweet and altogether so terrible, that it was good. Overall, this band was pretty much exactly what you'd expect from this generation, but somehow a bit better.

Such a teenage sounding album, but wow did I love this. It definitely sounds like something a bunch of high schoolers wrote while screwing around with instruments, with childish but awesomely fun songs like Kung Fu or Girl from Mars. But at the same time, it's the right level of catchy and campy that makes many of these songs plain fun to listen to. A couple of them surprised me with just how good the songs actually were, with Goldfinger and Oh Yeah being my favorites.

Some absolute bangers on here, a few of the album tracks are middling but still a worthy listen

Starts great and really holds on to that noisy, destructive edge that is desperately needed in most other British rock albums from the time, and for that I have to give it tons of credit, because I was really having a good time up until the midpoint, in which the excitement started to fade away. Songs were still good, being just ferocious enough to be extremely accessible, and while I've heard far better noise rock, it didn't stop it from being enjoyable. I think the pop-ier moments were just a bit silly, especially when you could make out the lyrics, and it really lost stream by the end of the hour. Not helping things is having to listen to people throwing up for five minutes. Terrible end to an otherwise pretty decent album.

Very good. 3.5.

Surprised by how many sounds I knew and liked but never knew the band or album. Great surprise

Loved it, solid 4.

Surprisingly great 90's rock record. Never heard of this band before this list, but this album was full of catchy songs, with great riffs and hooks. Could quite possibly become a regular listen 👍

"Kung Fu" has always been an endearing pop punk highlight à la Buzzcocks for me. I even bought a special edition of Ash's first EP just because the latter had it as a bonus track. But by the time the band's first album came out, I had gone out to other things. "Kung Fu" was in the album, but drawing from the other new singles, there were also a lot of more "romantic" songs that didn't interest me that much. In retrospect, I know I was unfair to Ash. "Lose Control" is a killer opener taking a page out of Sonic Youth, "Goldfinger", "Girl from Mars" and "Oh Yeah" -- the poppier "romantic" tunes -- I've just referred to, are actually very well written songs, "Kung Fu" still slaps decades after, and "Innocent Smile"'s guitar riffs make the latter a great moment. The rest goes from instantly forgettable to decent. Among the decent cuts, "I'd Give You Anything" conveys the impression that frail teenagers are trying to act like the Stooges circa-"1969" (very much what happens, actually). A little ridiculous or quite fun and charming, take your pick. Not going to elaborate on the forgettable tracks, because they're forgettable for a reason. It's just a little annoying several of them clutter the last leg of the record. So not a bad LP overall, in spite of the filler. But there were so many better album released in 1996. Not to mention the ones released in... 1977, of course. 😉 3.5 for the purposes of this list, rounded up to 4. 8.5 for more general purposes (5+3.5) Number of albums left to review: 31 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 419 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 245 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 310

O jee, jeugdsentiment. Hoewel ik destijds de naam van de band nauwelijks geregistreerd heb, klinkt dit direct vertrouwd, door de hits maar ook door het geluid in het algemeen. Op een bepaalde manier een ruwe doorontwikkeling van wat Oasis aan het doen was, hoewel ik ook Amerikaanse bandjes dit soort muziek heb horen maken. De gitaren vlammen, maar de zang is verstaanbaar en het tempo ligt niet al te hoog. Een aangename herontdekking dit.

Wat geinig, een relatief onbekend bandje uit de 90s. Al komen ze wel regelmatig voorbij op kink, wat ik de rest vd dag draai als ik mijn huiswerk gedaan heb. Ik ken het album dus verder niet, maar ik ken een aantal nummers van dit album wel. Ik vergeet alleen vaak de naam van de band. Het is een aanstekelijke mix van punkrock, britpop en noiserock a la Sonic Youth en Dinosaur Jr. I'd give you anything heeft vervolgens weer een riff die me doet denken aan Black Sabbath. De gitaren staan in ieder geval lekker op standje heavy distortion. De zang zit op een prettige manier net naast de juiste toonhoogte. Ik vind dit fijn om te luisteren. Ik moet ze toch maar eens gaan onthouden ipv vergeten.

Albumi #84, 20.10.2024 Tää oli kova levy ilmestyessään vuonna 1996. Intistä pääsyn vapaus iski päälle tosi lujaa ja tämä säesti fiilistä tosi hienosti. Sittemmin fiilis on laantunut rajusti mutta tämän albumin hienoksia on säilynyt paljon. En jaksanut seurata Ashin edesottamuksia tämän jälkeen, mutta tämä jätti jäljen sydämeen. Mainittakoon tässä myös EP nimeltä Trailer joka oli myös tärkeä. Ehkä jopa tärkeämpi. 🤷‍♂️

On the fence for this one; starts off strong but possibly meanders and could be trimmed by a couple of songs. A generous / low four; you're welcome.

I listened to it while playing some PS1 Need for Speed. 10/10 experience, would recommend. The album itself is a 8/10.

I kind of liked it.

Some great songs on this album and an extra star for nostalgia.

I’ve heard so many bad albums come through lately, so I’m feeling a bit generous with this one.

### In-Depth Review of *1977* by Ash *1977*, released in May 1996, is the debut full-length studio album by Northern Irish rock band Ash. Combining youthful energy, punk-infused power pop, and emotive lyricism, the album catapulted Ash into the limelight of the Britpop era. The title, a reference to the year that both *Star Wars* was released and the year of lead singer Tim Wheeler’s birth, reflects the band’s youthful exuberance and sense of nostalgia, perfectly encapsulating a moment of 90s guitar-driven rock. #### Lyrical Themes and Analysis The lyrics of *1977* primarily focus on youth, alienation, relationships, and nostalgia. Tim Wheeler’s songwriting reflects the turbulence of adolescence, exploring themes of first love, heartbreak, and the search for identity. - **"Girl from Mars"** is one of the standout tracks, capturing the essence of a fleeting summer romance. Wheeler’s lyrics evoke a sense of longing, but it is tinged with fantasy and escapism, referencing a girl who feels otherworldly, unreachable, as if she belongs to another planet. The chorus, with its catchy hook, highlights the band’s ability to blend wistfulness with pop sensibility. - **"Goldfinger"** shifts the focus toward unrequited love and the passage of time. Wheeler expresses emotional vulnerability and an almost cinematic sense of melancholy, singing about memories of lost love. The lyrics are simple but effective, conveying universal emotions that resonate with the listener, making it a quintessential 90s alt-rock anthem. - **"Angel Interceptor"** and **"Kung Fu"** balance moments of angst with youthful exuberance. While "Angel Interceptor" touches on themes of freedom and rebellion, *Kung Fu* leans into a more playful side, referencing Bruce Lee and pop culture in a way that captures the irreverent spirit of the album. - Tracks like **"Oh Yeah"** and **"Lose Control"** highlight the album’s focus on the excitement and chaos of youth. "Oh Yeah" in particular is a nostalgic ode to summer and teenage love, with its straightforward, sentimental lyrics evoking the thrill and innocence of youthful romance. In terms of lyrical depth, *1977* is not overly complex. Rather, it thrives on its raw emotion and simplicity. Wheeler’s lyrics express a universal sense of longing, rebellion, and excitement that captures the essence of adolescence. There are moments where the lyrics can feel slightly repetitive or superficial, but this contributes to the carefree nature of the album. #### Musicality and Composition Musically, *1977* is a high-octane blend of punk, pop, and alternative rock, borrowing influences from the likes of the Buzzcocks, Nirvana, and Teenage Fanclub. The album’s core strength lies in its fusion of melodic hooks with aggressive guitar riffs and punchy percussion. - **"Girl from Mars"** exemplifies the band’s ability to combine a punchy, upbeat tempo with infectious melodies. The guitars shimmer with a jangly quality, while the rhythm section keeps the momentum driving forward, making it one of the most instantly recognizable tracks from the Britpop era. - **"Kung Fu"** leans into punk sensibilities, with its short runtime and frenetic pace. It’s a sharp, fast, and fun track, driven by crunchy guitars and a chaotic, almost slapdash energy that feels raw and spontaneous. The guitar riffs are tight and gritty, giving the song an aggressive edge without losing its playful charm. - **"Goldfinger"** offers a change of pace with a slower, more reflective tone. The track’s shimmering guitar intro builds into a powerful, emotionally charged chorus. The dynamics between the soft verses and loud, anthemic chorus demonstrate Ash’s mastery of tension and release, a key element of their sound. - **"Oh Yeah"** is another example of the band’s gift for crafting pop-infused rock songs. The guitar melodies are bright and nostalgic, evoking the warmth of summer afternoons, while the rhythm section remains solid and driving. The song's structure is straightforward, but the production and execution make it an enduring anthem of teenage love. The album’s overall sound is characterized by its energetic and anthemic guitar work, with layers of distortion and feedback that create a gritty texture. The bass lines are prominent, giving the tracks a solid foundation, while the drumming by Rick McMurray provides an aggressive, yet controlled pulse throughout. Musically, *1977* walks the line between punk’s raw energy and the polished, melodic appeal of Britpop, resulting in a unique sound that stands out from its contemporaries. #### Production Quality The production on *1977*, helmed by producer Owen Morris (best known for his work with Oasis), strikes a balance between rawness and clarity. Morris brings out the best in Ash’s live energy while maintaining a polished, radio-friendly sound. The guitars are loud and distorted, yet the melodies remain clear and accessible. This balance is crucial in defining the album's appeal. - The use of feedback and distortion adds a sense of urgency and rawness to the songs, especially on tracks like **"Lose Control"** and **"I'd Give You Anything"**. The production enhances the band's youthful energy, giving the album a spontaneous, almost chaotic feel without sacrificing sonic quality. - Morris’s experience with Oasis is evident in the album’s wall-of-sound approach, where layers of guitars create a dense, full-bodied sound. This is particularly noticeable on tracks like **"Goldfinger"** and **"Let It Flow"**, where the guitars take center stage, yet the vocals remain clear and emotive. - The mix ensures that Tim Wheeler’s vocals are always at the forefront, which is essential given the emotional weight of the lyrics. The balance between the instruments and vocals is expertly handled, allowing the music to feel both raw and polished at the same time. While the production is largely a strength of the album, there are moments where it feels too polished, losing some of the rawness that makes Ash’s sound so appealing. The slick production may detract from the gritty energy of tracks like **"Kung Fu"**, where a rougher, more unpolished sound might have suited the punk ethos better. However, this is a minor criticism in the context of the album’s overall sonic cohesion. #### Themes and Atmosphere The central themes of *1977*—youth, rebellion, love, and nostalgia—are reinforced by its sonic and lyrical elements. The album embodies a sense of freedom and recklessness that mirrors the experiences of adolescence. From the carefree exuberance of **"Kung Fu"** to the reflective melancholy of **"Goldfinger"**, the songs cover a broad emotional spectrum, yet they remain unified by a common sense of youthful abandon. The album is also steeped in 90s pop culture, with references to *Star Wars*, kung fu movies, and comic books. This creates an atmosphere of nostalgia that appeals to both the band’s generation and older listeners who can appreciate the cultural references. The title itself, *1977*, evokes a sense of looking back, though the music feels immediate and fresh. Moreover, the band’s Irish roots subtly inform the album’s identity. While the music itself is largely influenced by British and American punk and pop, the sense of alienation and rebellion can be seen as a reflection of the band's outsider status in the Britpop scene. Ash wasn’t a London band, and this gave their music a slightly different perspective, setting them apart from their contemporaries. #### Influence and Legacy *1977* arrived at a time when Britpop was at its peak, and while Ash were often grouped with the likes of Blur, Oasis, and Pulp, their sound was more punk-influenced and aggressive. Their mixture of high-energy punk and melodic pop helped them carve out a niche that allowed them to stand alongside their more established peers. - The album’s influence can be seen in later pop-punk and emo bands of the late 90s and early 2000s. Bands like Blink-182, Jimmy Eat World, and even early Foo Fighters share Ash’s ability to blend catchy pop hooks with driving, distorted guitars. - Ash also helped pave the way for other Irish rock bands, showing that you didn’t have to be based in the UK or the US to achieve mainstream success. Their success proved that the Northern Irish music scene had something valuable to offer to the wider world of alternative rock. In terms of commercial success, *1977* reached number 1 on the UK Albums Chart, and its singles, particularly **"Girl from Mars"** and **"Goldfinger"**, became radio staples. The album's energetic and accessible sound ensured that it resonated with a wide audience, from punk enthusiasts to pop fans. #### Pros and Cons **Pros:** 1. **Catchy Melodies and Hooks:** *1977* is full of memorable melodies and infectious hooks, making it an album that sticks with the listener. 2. **Raw Energy:** The album captures the raw energy of youth, with driving guitars and frenetic rhythms that create an exhilarating listening experience. 3. **Emotional Resonance:** Despite its punk attitude, the album also has moments of emotional depth, particularly in songs like **"Goldfinger"** and **"Oh Yeah"**. 4. **Nostalgic and Fun:** The pop culture references and sense of nostalgia add an extra layer of charm to the album. **Cons:** 1. **Lack of Lyrical Depth:** While the lyrics are effective in conveying emotion, they can sometimes feel simplistic or repetitive. 2. **Overly Polished Production:** At times, the production feels too slick, detracting from the raw, punk energy that drives many of the songs. 3. **Lack of Variety:** Some tracks blend together due to similar structures and tempos, making the second half of the album feel less distinctive than the first. #### Conclusion *1977* is a landmark debut album that captures the essence of youthful rebellion and the thrill of adolescence. Ash’s blend of punk energy, pop melodies, and emotional lyricism made them a standout act in the Britpop era, and the album has aged remarkably well. While it may lack some lyrical depth and suffer from overly polished production in places, *1977* remains a testament to the power of raw, energetic guitar music in capturing the highs and lows of youth.

This was a terrific album by a previously unknown band for me. Very much tread the line between pop-ier sounding like Oasis to dirty/grungy sounding like Smashing Pumpkins at times. Good mix of tempos and feels of songs throughout kept me intrigued, and some seriously kick-ass hooks and solos included as well. Definitely recommend and I'd definitely listen again Notable Tracks: - I'd Give You Anything - Kung Fu - Oh Yeah - Let It Flow - Innocent Smile - Darkside Lightside 7.5/10

This album is not a big deal up front, but somehow it should be. First playthrough is a lot of the usual sounds coming out of the 90s, with Star Wars sounds throughout being the outstanding addition as well as tracking with the album's 1977 title. Second playthrough, the listener may start to realize that the album is not making them mad. Casual catches of the ear with interjected Star Wars noises start to become a game of how many can be noticed during a listen. Third playthrough, the listener might start needing to think of something clever to review this album with, but they better listen to the album one more time. Fourth play, it is time to move on from this, but this is a great listening album. Rhythms and melodies are catchy, and the lyrics and overall sound are definitely an appeal to every listener, whether fully invested or just needing something cool to listen to.

Super fun pop punk, with a surprising amount of range (at times sounds like weeper at times sounds like GBV).

This album takes me back in time. Great on the first listen. Will be added to my library for sure.

When I was 15 I remember hearing the cool kids talking about a band called Ash. I was not a cool kid so I dismissed them as something I wouldn’t like And yet, slowly but surely those songs became ubiquitous ear worms. Goldfinger and Girl From Mars in particular. Does it still hold up all these years later? You bet it does. Maybe those cool kids were right after all

very long…. very long. but good ! absolutely gnarly guitar work highlights: lose control, goldfinger, girl from mars (sep 16 2024)

Hitherto unknown to me, this album has a lot of good tracks on it. Don't know how to characterize the sound but it does have elements of garage punk grunge that I enjoyed. And the lads are Irish, so plus 1.

A little Weezer vibes. Gotta love the tie fighter intro

I loved this album, though never having heard of it or the band. I wish there was a little more to distinguish the songs from each other, although, all in all, a great start to my morning. 4/5

This might be one of the most 90s records out there but I hadn't heard of it before and enjoyed it more than expected

Lose control, Goldfinger and girl from Mars is such a strong start to an album and is the sound of my youth. This is a great album with catchy songs covering punk, indie and grunge. the Album has variety and substance. They were 19 when they wrote this album which is incredible. Favourite song: Goldfinger and girl from Mars Least favourite: All good Album artwork: Great cover

Damn! For a band I've never heard of, I'm impressed. This opens up with a rager; Lose Control. Reminiscent of heavier Dinosaur Jr. material. Takes a more approachable melodic turn in Goldfinger. I can see why this was the "hit". Almost brit-pop melodies but still thick in the guitar fuzz dept. Rest of the album seems to follow this same formula, but not to a point of making it feel stale. Solid head bopper here. I'd listen to this again.

Eine Entdeckung, grosser Stil-Vielfalt ****

As of writing, I’m high as shit and this album rocked for the whole hour. I’ll see if im still feeling it tomorrow morning. My thoughts the next day are that I was expecting some lame mid 90s pop rock album but as soon as Goldfinger and girl from mars came on I was sold. They’re both still super 90s but they’re the type of dated hits that are still good in spite of their cultural age. The rest is fun and still has a couple standouts like kung fu but nothing as good as the two main hits.

🎧Pleasantly surprised by this one. They’re not all gems, but some real nice pop/rock songs in here. Grungey at times, power-poppy at others. Shades of Teenage Fanclub and Weezer. Will definitely revisit.