“Meltdown” is essentially Ash’s “Swing When You’re Winning”, an album devoted to their metal heroes just like Robbie Williams doffed his flat cap to the Rat Pack. Riffs are indebted to Metallica and Sabbath, solos to Bill and Ted’s 'Wyld Stallions', but the pop nuggets within are almost unadulterated Tim Wheeler.
Mark Hamilton has a shared credit on the optimistic “Out Of the Blue” (“Not feeling broken-hearted/Feeling just like when it started”) and there’s little to hint at the nature of ‘dykon’ Charlotte Hatherley’s long-awaited solo album – she’s co-written only one song this time, the gonzo opener and title track - (“We’re unified in a sonic nation… Our psychic weapons will destroy your mind”) - which fits the Black Francis-Kim Deal ratio template perfectly. (Ash are, of course, supporting the Pixies in Paris – coincidence?)
In a Ronseal manner, “Meltdown” sounds exactly like what it is – a post-pubescent take on “1977”. It’s certainly Ash’s most satisfying pop album since their full-length debut, just with mortgages, fiancées and relative sobriety attached, and single “Orpheus” is almost the match of career highlight “Shining Light”. Tim’s clearly spent his downtime since 2001’s “Free All Angels” reading up on the classics. 'Dracula' is a recurrent theme; the robust "Evil Eye" recounts a female suitor with, “A poison smile… In blood/I signed/On the line” while infectious last track "Vampire Love" details Bram Stoker’s “Sub-cult fantasy… Carnal sacrifice of the virgin dove” and “Victorian repression".
“Starcrossed” is another musical re-telling of 'Romeo and Juliet' (“We’re condemned and can only wait… it’s far too late/The poison’s in our veins” – n.b. Juliet actually stabbed herself to death, English Lit. students). Elsewhere, it’s an apocalyptic vision of the world, most likely influenced by the war in Iraq, the 'Matrix' sequels (“Now you’re a clone… Synthetic soul” from “Clones”; Morpheus/“Orpheus”) and endless hours of Playstation bravado ( “Renegade Cavalcade”, “Detonator”).
There are flaws, but they’re largely cosmetic (although the otherwise lovely "Starcrossed" does start off a bit Stilstkin-y). The shockingly literal cover shows a tattoo-style phoenix emerging from the title in flames, sadly adding credence to exhausted metal clichés – body art, fire! – as it attempts to render the band’s history symbolically (after the breakdowns and burnouts, the melodies endure…). There are also useless faux liner notes from evidently addled NY author J T Leroy that fantasise about Tim in a bikini and offer precisely no insights into the album whatsoever.
Quibbles apart, “Meltdown” is a sturdy, well-written and (perpetually adolescent lyrics aside) mature addition to Ash’s enduring and near-essential canon – ample reward for ten years’ loyal support.
