Nu-Clear Sounds
At the ripe old age of 22, Ash's vocalist-guitarist Tim Wheeler and bassist Mark Hamilton prove they are wise beyond their years by trying not to be. The songs onNu-Clear Soundsgrab ideas from the louder end of the Britpop spectrum. About half resurfaceTeenage Fanclub's grubby guitar noise, while the cleaner tracks were definitely written withBlurry vision. Still, the power-pop elements are borrowed from the west end of the pond: producer/Garbagemember Butch Vig works his alt-indie alchemy on the first three tracks--wham-bam glam rears its glittery head on "Jesus Says" and the thrashing and banging about of "Wild Surf" meets quaint sing-along harmonies. On the grittier side, "Numbskull," cranking out monster chords and spewing scaly vocals, could pass for aPixiesB-side. Same goes for the searing "Death Trip 21"--imagineU2's "Bullet the Blue Sky" ifKornhad thought of the song first. So, are these young 'uns rip-off artists? No way. Ash's originality springs from their ability to listen, learn, and rewrite the lesson with the ink of their own intensity.--Beth Massa