More about: Ash

What is it with these solo albums people from bands keep releasing? Charlotte Hatherley, former Ash guitarist and until recently the hottest girl in UK indie (pre-Subways and Abi from The Zutons) was one of the first of the old guard to "do a Coxon", with the release of 2005's 'Grey Will Fade'. Two years on, having finally severed ties with Tim Wheeler and the boys, she returns with the follow up, the atmospheric 'The Deep Blue'. The first thing to say is that aside from its natural catchiness and pop savvy, the record sounds absolutely nothing like an Ash record. Nor is it overly guitar-indulgent, instead relying on the moody instrumentalism you would associate with late-90s Air.

It is they to whom opening track (proper) 'Be Thankful' is indebted, a light and woozy song that almost drifts away while you are listening to it. However, it is certainly not the only reference point on a record that is greatly varied.

'I Want You To Know' sounds like The Go Gos (or Echobelly, for those a little younger), with its "wella wellas", while 'Again' sounds uncannily like trip-hop also-rans Morcheeba (no bad thing at all). Things continue in such melodic fashion, with the excellent 'Wounded Sky' and 'Behave', which sounds (instrumentally at least) like something from 'Hour Of Bewilderbeast'-era Badly Drawn Boy.

It could be argued that much of 'The Deep Blue' floats over you and at times drifts into the worrying genre of "mood music". To be fair however, when it does show its teeth, such as on 'I Want You To Know' or the excellent 'Very Young', there is great pogoing potential.

In summary, the majority of this record comes across as the aural equivalent of stepping into a hot bath after a tiring day, and who doesn't enjoy that?

More about: Ash