Heavy Rotation: Week Ending January 8, 2010

01. Ash – The A-Z Series [tracks A-E], (Atom.2009)
02. St. Vincent – Actor, (4AD.2009)
03. Johnny Foreigner – Grace and the Bigger Picture, (Best Before.2009)
04. Jarvis Cocker – Further Complications, (Rough Trade.2009)
05. Swan Lake – Enemy Mine, (Jagjaguwar.2009)
06. The Soundtrack of Our Lives – Behind the Music, (Republic.2001)
07. Sonic Youth – The Eternal, (Matador.2009)
08. The Sexy Accident – Mantoloking, (self-released.2009)
09. Jacquemort – Dent De Lait, (Grosse Boite.2007)
10. Tranzmitors – Busy Singles, (Deranged.2009)

Irish punk-pop-rockers Ash are embarking on an incredible musical journey to release a song per each letter of the English alphabet. I love this kind of shit. The Wedding Present Hit Parade series was great fun. Starflyer59's Ghost of the Future 7” inch series was cool. Jay Reatard's Matador Singles series ... awesome. The A-Z Series follows the concept to the next uber-ambitious level: 26 singles in one year, one song released every two weeks on digital downloads and limited edition 7" vinyl with the option to purchase a collectible storage box. The packaging is absolutely gorgeous, recalling Factory Records motif. Unfortunately for those of us not in the UK are shit-out-of-luck, the vinyl is sold out, so digital is our only option. Or until they get collected on CD (note: I haven't seen anything about a CD collection, but it's inevitable it will happen someday, in my not-so-humble opinion). Here are my thoughts on tracks A-E.

Track A: “True Love 1980”
Here the band offers their take on the glory years of Euro-synth-pop. On the verses, a delirious simple melody glides above tiny beep-beep synth lines, heavy bass line, and real drums. The song soars on the chorus as guitars and pulsating electro rhythms ascend – it's all classic Ash at their most poptastic.

Track B: “Joy Kicks Darkness”
This track inhabits that larger-than-arena-power-pop majesty. Huge guitar riffs, pounding drums, bonkers solo-ing over big fat riffs, and push-pull/tension-release dynamics. The coolest part of the track is demi-bridge about two-thirds the way through. While the song plays up the drama, it does get a bit repetitive due to the near six minute song length.

Track C: “Arcadia”
This is the best song of the batch. Check this out: twittering ELO faux-classical synths, pounding piano riffs, whoa-oh-oh bgvs, big-sasquatch guitars with edgy post-punk jabs, HUGE chorus, and massive hooks. A melody that is sheer fist-raising passionate inspiration. The way the song revolves around on itself is absolutely sick.

Track D: “Tracers”
Ash have always tread ever so close to pure cheese pop-rock (think all those emo-popsters), and this track is guilty as hell. YET … YET … the songwriting is so strong, yes another amazingly crafted melody and meaty hooks, that it transcends style to enter the realm of classic pop songcraft. “Tracers” is a mid-tempo, sorta-ballad-y tune with nice dynamics and an explosive chorus.

Track E: “The Dead Disciples”
2005's Meltdown comes immediately to mind: near-metal riffage, thunderous bass lines, mini Nirvana-esque angular guitar spasms, and a driving hard back beat. The chorus soars, soars, soars with falsetto harmonies galore. Another song that tugs at your heart in its energy and passion.

Here is a player to enjoy all the tracks that have been released – A through G. Enjoy!