Grey Will Fade Tiscali album review

As the nominal female in one of the most successful rock bands of the past ten years Charlotte Hatherley has had a roller coaster career.

Originally drafted in for live guitar duties she became the perfect foil for frontman Tim Wheeler, contributing substantial power to Ash’s sound both live and on record. However, whilst she became an indie pin-up worshipped by the indie boys she was also subject to much loathing from the female Wheeler lovers who saw her as a threat to their chances with the lank haired Irish dreamboat.

She has also been involved with the near commercial suicide that was the band’s Nu-Clear Sounds album and helped mastermind their creative rebirth with Free All Angels and the fabulous Meltdown.

Ups and downs, tensions and tantrums - no wonder Hatherley has felt the need to release a solo album, a record that is not weighed down by the expectations of her day job, an album in which she can truly find her voice.

The lead off single “Summer” is the perfect embodiment of what this album is all about.

Bright and breezy with a naggingly catchy chorus it showcases Hatherley’s unique gift for a killer tune as she shimmers her way through this Belly-esque indie anthem.

Opening track (and download only single) “Kim Wilde” is almost as good, all 60s girl group harmonies and jerky melodies it heralds the arrival of this awesome debut with gusto.

Elsewhere “Paragon”, “Why You Wanna?” and the wonderful, bitchy “Bastardo” continue in a similar Shangri-Las meets the Breeders vein whilst tracks like “Stop” (dark ragged and Pixies-like) and “Where I’m Coming From” (atmospheric introspection) prove there is more to this girl than sunshine pop and a pretty face.

On her debut album Hatherley has proved that there is more than one talent behind Ash’s current success.

Packed with enough clever songwriting to make Tim despair, Grey Will Fade packs a fair punch.