By Russell Barker

Ash, sometimes seen around town playing keyboards for Piney Gir, has collected together some pieces he's recorded over the last eight years. Ash would appear to have ideas and talent coming out of his ears, so while pulling together all these pieces onto one CD doesn't necessarily make for a cohesive listen, it's an ultimately rewarding one worth sticking through the whole seventy-odd minutes.

There are big epic soundscapes, which bode well for Ash's projected foray into film soundtracks. For instance, lead track 'Fall' and 'The Sun In Her Head' sound like Sigur Ros with an injection of the Flaming Lips astral projections for good measure. 'Mary Will Call' is full of squelchy beats, epic strings and thunderous drums, there's the mariachi infused 'Country Boy' and 'Theme From Rapture', a glacial instrumental which if it isn't already a movie closer, should be really soon.

Elsewhere we get the husky vocalled tale of moving on 'Is Magic Is Spaceship', a haunting piano instrumental in 'Impromptu For Six Pianos' and a couple of moments where the album trips up slightly. 'Spark' and 'Romance Is Dead' veer too closely to MOR territory unfortunately.

Which leaves us with the album's two major peaks. 'He's Her Cloud' with its synthesised vocals, recorders, and added Indian vocals is bundled up into a wonderfully experimental piece of dream pop. But the best is saved to last with 'Snow'. It starts with a heartbeat, minimal and northern and carries on that way for over five minutes. Then it explodes with colour and runaway train rhythm when you least expect it before collapsing down into a mesh of choir samples and whale noises. Truly magnificent, as is much of this album.