Grey Will Fade

Grey Will Fade is the debut studio album by English singer/songwriter Charlotte Hatherley, the guitarist for Ash. It was released on 16 August 2004, through Double Dragon Music. Spurred on from the positive response to "Grey Will Fade", which appeared as a B-side to Ash's single "There's a Star" (2001), Hatherley set about recording her solo album. Enlisting the help of Eric Drew Feldman, the sessions for the album were concurrently happening while Ash was recording their own album Meltdown (2004) in Los Angeles, California. Described as a pop punk and power pop record, Hatherley's vocals on Grey Will Fade earned her comparisons to Björk, Tanya Donelly, and Polly Harvey.

Grey Will Fade
Studio album by
Charlotte Hatherley
Released16 August 2004
StudioWild Hamster, Los Angeles
GenrePop punk, power pop
Length41:33
LabelDouble Dragon
ProducerEric Drew Feldman
Charlotte Hatherley chronology
Grey Will Fade
(2004)		 The Deep Blue
(2007)
Singles from Grey Will Fade
  1. "Kim Wilde"
    Released: 7 June 2004
  2. "Summer"
    Released: 9 August 2004
  3. "Bastardo"
    Released: 21 February 2005

Grey Will Fade received generally favourable reviews from critics, some of whom commented positively on the songwriting. The album charted at number 48 in Scotland, and number 51 in the UK. "Summer" and "Bastardo" both reached a peak of number 31 on the UK Singles Chart. Despite Grey Will Fade being announced in early 2004, Hatherley was occupied touring with Ash to support Meltdown. The digital-only lead single "Kim Wilde" was released on 7 June 2004, followed by second single "Summer" on 9 August 2004. While Ash took a break from touring, Hatherley went on her first solo tour in September 2004. "Bastardo" was released as the third single on 21 February 2005; the video for this and "Summer" was directed by Edgar Wright.

Background and production

At the age of 15, Charlotte Hatherley became the guitarist of Nightnurse. Over the course of the next two years, she grew as a musician while performing on the club circuit.[1] Around this time, Ash frontman Tim Wheeler was interested in bringing in another guitarist after witnessing the interplay between Weezer members Rivers Cuomo and Brian Bell.[2] After learning through mutual friends, Hatherley joined Ash initially on a temporary basis.[3] She performed on the band's non-album single "A Life Less Ordinary", released in October 1997.[4] As the band was impressed by Hatherley's contribution, she was made an official member.[3] Over the course of the next four years, Hatherley appeared on the band's second and third studio albums Nu-Clear Sounds (1998) and Free All Angels (2001).[5][6]

She co-wrote three songs across the two albums, and had sole writing credit for the B-sides "Taken Out" and "Gonna Do It Soon".[1][5][6] "There's a Star", the fifth single from Free All Angels, featured Hatherley's "Grey Will Fade" as a B-side.[1] Between October 2003 and January 2004, the band were recording Meltdown (2004) in Los Angeles, California.[7][8] Spurred on by a positive reaction to "Grey Will Fade", Hatherley set about recording a solo album with Rob Ellis.[9][10] There were a few instances where Hatherley would be recording with Ash during the mornings, only to spend the afternoons on the other side of Los Angeles recording her album.[11] The sessions lasted for a month; she attempted to create "XTC-style music with B-52's vocals."[9]

Composition

Musically, the sound of Grey Will Fade has been described as pop punk and power pop, with Hatherley's vocals recalling elements of Tanya Donelly, Polly Harvey and Björk.[12] Hatherley noted a contrast in its indie-based sound to her bandmates' heavy metal roots. She added that as Meltdown was "definitely more heavy metal", she made "something which was more the kind of music I love," citing David Bowie, Kate Bush, and XTC.[13] Grey Will Fade has sparse song arrangements, predominantly led by Hatherley's guitarwork.[14]

The opening track "Kim Wilde" name checks "Kids in America" (1981) and "Chequered Love" (1981) by Kim Wilde.[12] The song incorporates guitars in the vein of Blondie, Fleetwood Mac-esque vocal harmonies, and varying tempo changes.[15] "Paragon" is reminiscent of Ash's earlier material, and is followed by "Summer", which features handclaps and Jools Holland-esque piano work.[12][16] The Pixies-lite "Stop" utilizes metallic krautrock guitar parts.[17][18] The acoustic and electronica track "Where I'm Calling From" shares a similar structure to "Space Oddity" (1969) by Bowie.[12][14][16] "Bastardo" is the story of a Spanish man who steals a guitar, and was compared to the works of Kirsty MacColl.[12] The closing track "Grey Will Fade" is an optimistic message to a friend who was struggling in school.[11]

Release

NME reported in March 2004 that Hatherley's debut was scheduled for release later in the year.[9] On 22 May 2004, Grey Will Fade was formally announced for release in August of that year.[10] Between May and August 2004, Hatherley was occupied touring with Ash in support of Meltdown.[19][20] "Kim Wilde" was released as a digital-only single on 7 June 2004.[10] Hatherley explained that she didn't expect people to buy it physically, and to her surprise, the track had 8,000 downloads in its first week of release.[13] "Summer" was released as a single on 9 August 2004; the CD version featured "Commodore" and "S.M.U.T" as extra tracks.[21][22] The music video for "Summer" premiered on NME's website on 14 July 2004.[23] Grey Will Fade was released through Double Dragon Music on 16 August 2004.[10]

As Ash were taking a break from touring in September 2004, Hatherley embarked on her debut solo tour, playing a handful of UK shows.[24] "Bastardo" was released as a single on 21 February 2005; the CD version featured "3 Minutes" and "I Am a Kamera" as extra tracks, while the DVD version included audio versions of "Bastardo" and an acoustic version of "Kim Wilde", and videos for "Bastardo", and a making-of feature.[25][26][27] Grey Will Fade was released in the United States on 4 April 2005.[28] It was also released Japan in May 2005 in two editions: a CD with "3 Minutes" and "I Am a Kamera" as extra tracks, the other adding a bonus DVD with the music videos for "Summer" and "Bastardo".[29][30] Both videos were directed by Edgar Wright; "Summer"'s incorporated animation, while "Bastardo"'s featured appearances from Simon Pegg, Lucy Davis, and David Walliams.[13][31][32]

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[14]
BBC MusicFavourable[15]
Drowned in Sound6/10[33]
The Guardian[34]
The IndependentFavourable[35]
The Irish Times[36]
Manchester Evening NewsFavourable[16]
NME[17]
Rock Hard8/10[37]
RTÉ[38]

Grey Will Fade was met with generally favourable reviews from critics. Rock Hard writer Michael Rensen said Hatherley offered "creamy, surprisingly multi-layered songwriting that goes well beyond the catchy tune" of Ash.[37] Séamus Leonard of RTÉ wrote that Hatherley had done "a fine job" with the album, finding "Stop" to be the only misstep.[38] The Irish Times' Anna Carey wrote that the majority of the album "doesn't quite live up" to "Kim Wilde", however, "it's still an excellent collection of choppy, poppy songs," full of "honey-sweet harmonies and buzzy guitars."[36] The Independent music critic Andy Gill called it a "confident and engaging solo debut."[35] The staff at Manchester Evening News saw the album as "[g]reat summer guitar pop with enthisastic, infectious lyrics and a charming, cheeky approach that suggests Hatherley can add yet another string to her ever-growing bow."[16]

AllMusic reviewer Alan Severa wrote that the record "sometimes trips up through a kind of over-enthusiasm, this album is indeed the debut of a rather maverick talent."[14] Barry Nicolson of NME wrote that the album was "hardly a radical departure," with Hatherley's vocals becoming "a little too bland and weedy." He added, it was a "minor triumph, then, and if it doesn't repeat the chart-straddling success of the day job, put it down to lack of practice."[17] Drowned in Sound's Tom Edwards said Hatherley "does manage to impress in the tunes department."[33] The Guardian music correspondent Caroline Sullivan wrote that the album "delves further into fluttery pop than the power-rocking Ash would deem acceptable."[34] BBC Music writer Jack Smith said that the album was "firmly traditional and far from groundbreaking ... nothing here has the punch and sheer momentum of Ash's 'Burn Baby Burn'."[15]

Grey Will Fade reached number 48 in Scotland, and number 51 in the UK.[39][40] "Summer" and "Bastardo" both reached number 31 on the UK Singles Chart.[41]

Track listing
  1. "Kim Wilde" – 4:20
  2. "Rescue Plan" – 2:55
  3. "Paragon" – 4:13
  4. "Summer" – 4:50
  5. "Down" – 4:35
  6. "Stop" – 3:46
  7. "Where I'm Calling From" – 3:56
  8. "Why You Wanna?" – 4:16
  9. "Bastardo" – 3:56
  10. "Grey Will Fade" – 4:46

Personnel

Charts
Chart performance for Grey Will Fade
Chart (2004) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[39] 48
UK Albums (OCC)[40] 51

References
  1. Wilson, MacKenzie. "Charlotte Hatherley | Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  2. Lindsay, Cam (22 May 2015). "Rank Your Records: Tim Wheeler Ranks Ash's Eight Albums". Vice. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  3. Mathur, Paul (12 September 1998). "We Are The Resurrection". Melody Maker. ISSN 0025-9012.
  4. "Ash (1)". NME. Archived from the original on 12 June 2002. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  5. Nu-Clear Sounds (booklet). Ash. Infectious Records. 1998. INFECT60CD.CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. Free All Angels (booklet). Ash. Infectious Records. 2001. infec100cd.CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. "As Go For Hard Rock Direction". NME. 16 October 2003. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  8. "Heavy News From Ash". NME. 13 January 2004. Archived from the original on 10 February 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  9. "Good Charlotte!". NME. 25 March 2004. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  10. "Good Charlotte!". NME. 22 May 2004. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  11. "Charlottle Biography". Charlottle Hatherley. Archived from the original on 11 October 2004. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  12. Murphy, John (16 August 2004). "Charlotte Hatherley – Grey Will Fade". NME. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  13. Bansal, Vik (3 August 2005). "Interview – Charlotte Hatherley". NME. Archived from the original on 26 May 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  14. Severa, Alan. "Grey Will Fade - Charlotte Hatherley | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 14 September 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  15. Smith, Jack (2004). "Review: Charlotte Hatherley Grey Will Fade". BBC. Archived from the original on 5 February 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  16. "Opinion: Charlotte Hatherley - Grey Will Fade (Double Dragon)". Manchester Evening News. 15 February 2007. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  17. Nicolson, Barry (20 September 2004). "Charlotte Hatherley : Grey Will Fade". NME. Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  18. Begrand, Adrien (9 March 2005). "Ash: Meltdown". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 12 March 2005. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  19. "Ash Head Out on the Road". NME. 2 March 2004. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  20. "Welcome to Ash News". Ash. Archived from the original on 7 February 2006. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  21. "Summer - Charlotte Hatherley | Release Info". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  22. "Summer" (sleeve). Ash. Double Dragon Music. 2004. DD2014CD.CS1 maint: others (link)
  23. "Exclusive - Watch Charlotte Hatherley's video debut here!". NME. 14 July 2004. Archived from the original on 6 August 2004. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  24. "Nu-Acoustic Sounds". NME. 9 September 2004. Archived from the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  25. "Bastardo - Charlotte Hatherley | Release Info". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  26. "Bastardo" (sleeve). Ash. Double Dragon Music. 2005. DD2019CD.CS1 maint: others (link)
  27. "Bastardo" (sleeve). Ash. Double Dragon Music. 2005. DD2019DVD.CS1 maint: others (link)
  28. "Latest..." Double Dragon Music. Archived from the original on 6 April 2005. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  29. Grey Will Fade (sleeve). Ash. Sony Records Int'l. 2005. SICP 777.CS1 maint: others (link)
  30. Grey Will Fade (sleeve). Ash. Sony Records Int'l. 2005. SICP-775~6.CS1 maint: others (link)
  31. "Video Archives: Summer ~ Charlotte Hatherley – dir. Edgar Wright (2004)". Edgar Wright. 28 August 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  32. "Video Archives: Bastardo ~ Charlotte Hatherley – dir. Edgar Wright (2005)". Edgar Wright. 27 August 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  33. Edwards, Tom. "Album Review: Charlotte Hatherley - Grey Will Fade / Releases". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  34. Sullivan, Caroline (13 August 2001). "Charlotte Hatherley, Grey Will Fade". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  35. Gill, Andy (10 July 2013). "Album: Charlotte Hatherley". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  36. Carey, Anna (20 August 2004). "Latest CD releases reviewed". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  37. Rensen, Michael (23 February 2005). "Charlotte Hatherley - Grey Will Fade". Rock Hard (in German). Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  38. Leonard, Séamus (17 August 2004). "Charlotte Hatherley - Grey Will Fade". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  39. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  40. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  41. "Charlotte Hatherley | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
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