Ash tend to get a pretty raw deal. They seem to have spent the past few years taking criticism for not sounding like they did when they were eighteen. Although they’ve clearly tried to evolve their sound, many people have just ignored their new work and gone back to listening to 1977. ‘Carnal Love’, the latest release in their A-Z singles series, is likely to generate pretty much the same reaction – and I can’t quite figure out if it deserves that or not. It certainly has its flaws; the verses are far too saccharine, both musically and lyrically, with Tim Wheeler opening the song by crooning, ‘Sweet thing, graceful beauty of a seraphim.’ But this leads into the pleasing sing-along chorus: ‘It’s carnal love that I’m thinking of; I’m addicted to your sweet stuff’. This might also sound cheesy, but it works nicely in what is essentially a power ballad; it’s reminiscent of the more tongue in cheek material from The Darkness’ first album. While it’s not clear whether Ash intend it to be taken seriously or not, this song should definitely be treated as a joke; embrace the silliness and it’s really quite enjoyable.
