Review Summary: Left with a swan song, wondering what could have been.
So many bands remain under the radar. To which Ashen is no exception. The quartet from Georgia had to experience the hard reality of obscurity. However, the boundaries between fame and oblivion lie so closely together, which is proven with the dynamics, introspection and fragility shown on ‘Pull And Repel’.
Ashen adopted the same style as many of their contemporaries during the second wave of emo, pioneered by Sunny Day Real Estate. Whereas other bands like Mineral, Jimmy Eat World, The Promise Ring and others made a name for themselves in the underground scene Ashen continued largely unknown. Only to be discovered again more than a decade later.
Unlike other late 90's indie emo acts the singing consists of the innocent, female voice of Erin Akemi. From the very first song ‘Scissors Beat Paper’ it becomes clear that the music evolves around her voice. Using the equalizer settings won’t even do any harm if the vocals come forward too explicitly. "Notes are just a background for the words I meant to say forever." The innocent, almost childlike voice that utters those words strikes you in such a special place which you would almost forget that you had. Down with the mask, just say the lines that matter, nothing pretentious. The lyrics are as naked as they can get.
Thematically this EP deals with broken dreams, the anonymity of everyday existence and the difficult frisk to express one’s feelings. But none of that feels lamenting, the voice of Erin has a more resigned impression. Sad but coping.
"We were closer than you know to becoming something great"
Nevertheless, the foursome succeeded in their aspiration, concerning to bring a soothing experience on energetic guitar tones. With each change in utterance of the singer’s feelings the dynamics of the interplay change so fluently and so surprisingly that no time is awarded for your attention to subside. However, the music doesn’t move on an infernal pace, certainly not. Dreamy, more poppy songs like ‘Our Being Here’ and ‘Priority One’ are proof of that.
"How many different ways will you find to say goodbye?”
But the effectiveness, timing, dosage and especially the gracefulness with which every note is struck is of such degree that it is not to be unexpected when I declare that this group was originally an instrumental ensemble. The singer only joined two years later.
"Waiting to be released, to be free"
Even in the more ballad like tracks there’s that energy that stirs you, say a kind of quiet / loud technique. Repeatedly there’s the playfulness of the dual guitars over soft drum tones followed by a mild eruption whereupon the timid vocals flow when you least expect it.
With ‘Cycle Pinsetter’ Ashen delivers their magnum opus. It is the most aggressive and bitter song of the album. At the start of the very first riff you already feel sucked into a whirlpool of emotions, after which the song varies between twinkling moments followed by moments of sheer desperation that is perfectly emphasized through the use of the distorted guitars.
"Through with our dreams"
As the song progresses, the time span between the climactic moments grows ever so small to eventually end the dance with a dramatic vocal intertwining of female and male vocals, though the latter leans towards screaming. This overlapping of voices shakes you up, on one side Erin Akemi keeps you hopeful like any righteous sister would do. But the shouting of the impulsive male, however, pushes you to acceptance. Being the raw realization that it is all in vain ...
It isn’t any wonder that this record was the swan song of a promising band one year after a death-defying van accident. And maybe this is for the best. A group of young people who fight and deal with their emotions, their concerns through music. Once the battle has been fought, there is no reason to stay huddled up. But what they have brought forth with ‘Pull And Repel’ only keeps longing for more, more of that delicious self-pity.
