Timing's all important in the rock'n'roll business, so it's mystifying that CHARLOTTE HATHERLEY should choose to release her first solo single (admittedly via download only) just as her main project ,Ash, have also released their fourth album "Meltdown." That was a record giving America more than a passing glance, and probably one that will require Ms.Hatherley to focus upon Ash 100% as they make a concerted effort to break the big league Stateside.
Thus, the concept of releasing your debut solo single (with album to follow breathlessly in its' wake) virtually simultaneously smacks of either stupidity or supreme confidence. 'Stupidity' isn't a term this writer would use in conjunction with Ash-related affairs and so it proves that Charlotte's homage to the pouting, peroxide high priestess of new wave is probably an act of supreme confidence.
Not too surprisingly, the end results are akin to a cross-pollination of a certain band beginning with 'A's brash, buzzy punk-pop and the sort of pepped, dangerously high-sugar power-pop Ms. Wilde was herself knocking out circa that great first LP. Cheekily, the lyrics even mention "Kids In America", but Charlotte's sassy, off-the-wrist delivery, Cars-style cheesy synth bits and myriad chord changes ensure the ear candy remains sweet throughout. So immediate is it that you scarcely realise a whole four minutes have elapsed before she's finished. Wow.
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Memorable start, then, not to mention a notice to a certain Mr.Wheeler that he may have some friendly competition within the ranks. One word of warning, though, Charlotte: Kim Wilde herself went off the boil very quickly after that fine first LP, so make sure you keep the balance of commitments right should this be the start of something.
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