Free All Angels

07/05/2002 6:00 PM, LAUNCH
Rob O'Connor

Bands of Anglo origin have their problems. They can be successful on their side of the pond by performing intelligent--some might say clever--songs that piddle past in a burst of melody and a lilting jolt. But being successful in their home country often isn't enough. So they make the big trip across the ocean where America awaits indifferent. Too busy with NASCAR and nu-metal, Americans don't notice these polite palefaces. In frustration, said foreigners absorb the louder, faster doctrine of American life and rebirth into noisier abstractions until their homeland disowns them and America may or may not care. At some point, a glance in the mirror causes young idealists to reflect: what exactly are we doing? At which point, an inner peace--or a disastrous break-up--comes over the band.

Free All Angels is Ireland's Ash's third album and it strikes a balance between the buzzy pop of their first album and the heavier thud of their second, suggesting the Goldilocks theorem is still operational and that "just right" is still possible in these dark days.