Ash - Polaris

It should come as no surprise to learn that this string-laden ballad was written on Bono's piano while Tim Wheeler holidayed at the U2 man's home in the south of France. Polaris finds the original trio releasing probably their most mature single to date, the only problem being that that's not really what you want from Ash in the first place. The whole feel is one that is over produced, with the hallmarks of a band going for the epic lighters aloft finale. Although a decent enough tune in its own right, when pitted against more immediate, previous efforts such as Shining Light and Oh Yeah, Polaris is just a little underwhelming. [Garry Thomson]