Ash: Meltdown

Reviewed by RUSSELL BAILLIE

Herald rating * * *

An American accent - presumably that of Foo Fighters' producer Nick Raskulinech - is the first voice you hear on the opening and title track.

"Are you ready?" he asks through the studio intercom.

You have to wonder if the question is more about the quartet, which started in the 90s as a teenage trio in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, being prepared for the American assault that this album seems designed to spearhead.

On Ash's previous three studio albums, the pop spark always outshone the rock swagger. This one comes with maximum crunch, whether it's the Rage Against the Machine-dimensions of Clones or the surf-metal of On a Wavebeneath many a shrill singalong chorus.

Trouble is, many of the songs pall quickly. That's mainly because of the sort of dumb lyrics that indicate Ash sure can shout melodically enough, but they've got nothing to say.