Ash: 1977 (2LP) [BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT]

Why you'll love it

This 30th anniversary 2LP set pairs the remastered album with an LP of remastered B-sides in a gatefold jacket. 1977 went to No. 1 in the UK and went platinum there, and "Goldfinger" reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart.

This edition

• 2LP set
• 30th anniversary edition
• Remastered
• Bonus LP of B-sides
• Gatefold jacket
• Obi strip

About the album

Tim Wheeler and Mark Hamilton were 17 when Ash signed to Infectious Records, so their parents had to sign on their behalf and their headmaster had to give his permission too. The Northern Irish trio, with drummer Rick McMurray, spent their half-term holidays touring with Elastica and Babes in Toyland between A-Level studies, and by early 1996, after the mini-album Trailer and a run of singles, they were ready to make a full album.

Producer Owen Morris, fresh from working with The Verve, recorded them at Rockfield Studios in Wales, and the result is Britpop, power pop and garage rock at full volume. "Kung Fu," "Girl from Mars" and "Angel Interceptor" were already singles, "Goldfinger" and "Oh Yeah" followed, and "Lose Control" opens the record at a sprint. The B-sides LP adds "Day of the Triffids," "Cantina Band," a run at "Gimme Some Truth" and ABBA's "Does Your Mother Know."

Critics loved how catchy it was, and Kerrang!, NME and Melody Maker all put it on their year-end lists. Ash went on to support Weezer in the US and play Glastonbury, presumably after checking it didn't clash with exams.

Also at Kops: more Ash on vinyl · browse Alternative

Tracklist

Listen

On Infectious / BMG (cat# 964249591), a reissue of the 1996 album.