Cork alternative-rock trio Ash Red release their debut album `The Foreign Game` this month, an release whose songs contain themes of isolation, desire, fear, angst/anger, and a general sense of “otherness”. Using football as its frame, the album title draws on the history of ‘Rule 27’, which the GAA used to forbid its members from playing so-called ‘foreign games’ until 1971. The band themselves use this as an analogy for the importance of being yourself.
The album opens with `Take Me` a kind of heads down non nonsense punk tinged offering where it seems there`s a desire to move a relationship on but realising that`s probably not an achievable option at present without some significant life changes. A resentment of a former partner who has moved on and almost wishing them to fail permeates `Control` which had the ambience of early Cure `Seventeen Seconds` era. There seemed to be something in the relationship that is hinted at but never fully shared.
`Hopeless` has a throbbing beat, a driving bass line with shimmering guitar riffs and seems to allude to a feeling of separation, anxiety maybe anguish possibly imagining a repressive society. We have more isolation with `Friends?` which could be about reaching out, an appeal or a cry for help maybe.
`Island`s Edge` whose sound is much more angular mirroring the desperation or rage of the narrator who seems to be at their wits end. Around two thirds of the way through the pace slows but retains the narrative exasperation. The slow burn `Alone Again` felt almost stripped back allowing a sensation of introspection or loneliness and seclusion. A delightfully pensive number.
`D B COOPER` is a reflective simmering offering that “explores conflict, fragile relationships, and grapples with God and faith.” It has a grungy buzzsaw feel at times. The title was inspired by a fifty year old unsolved case of Dan Cooper ahijacker who demanded $200,000 and four parachutes, and after the plane landed in Seattle, he released the passengers. He then ordered the plane to take off again, and while it was flying between Seattle and Reno, he parachuted out with the ransom money. The hijacker’s identity and fate have never been conclusively determined. For me there was a retro Joy Division / Cure vibe to `Just Words` which possibly reflects the aftermath of an event where platitudes won`t ease the pain.
`Enough` has an illusory feel and is perhaps about cutting ties with unhelpful acquaintances who create a detrimental environment. The album closes out with `Foreign Game` which might be a reflection on being forced to conform to other people’s ideals, principles, and values.
Arthur Murray (guitar, vocals), Tadhg O’Keeffe (bass), and Isaac Walsh (drums) who make up Ash Red have released in `The Foreign Game` an album that is loaded with anger and frustration. Indeed John Lydon`s Public Image Ltd on `Rise` sang that anger is an energy and here there`s plenty of fury and emotional energy but also some thought provoking lyrical content that could be interpretated in many ways.
A release that will not only stimulate you musically but intellectually as well.
Rating 8.5/10
