Released 10 years ago
Ash & Ice
The Kills · 2016
50 min · 13 tracks · indie rock
A gritty exploration of love and loss, blending raw garage rock energy with introspective lyricism and atmospheric soundscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Doing It to Death — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its infectious rhythm and sharp lyrics about passion and obsession, making it an immediate standout.
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Heart of a Dog — This track features haunting melodies paired with evocative storytelling, illustrating themes of longing and vulnerability that resonate throughout the album.
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Bitter Fruit — With its driving tempo and reflective lyrics, this song encapsulates the tension between desire and regret, showcasing The Kills' lyrical prowess.
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Whirling Eye — Closing the album, this track combines ethereal soundscapes with introspective lyrics, leaving listeners in contemplation long after the music fades.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends energetic rock with introspective moments, showcasing strong production and varied pacing.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks maintain a driving tempo with prominent guitar riffs, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more reflective pace.
- Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies that create a sense of depth and atmosphere, particularly in 'Heart of a Dog' and 'Siberian Nights'.
- The album closes with two tracks that gradually reduce in intensity, allowing for a contemplative finish.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo groove throughout
- raw emotional intensity in lyrics
- gritty sound for late nights
- reflective moments for introspection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, upbeat tracks
- seek polished, mainstream production
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2016, Ash & Ice is The Kills' fifth studio album, following their 2011 release, Blood Pressures. At this point in their career, the duo was re-establishing themselves after a five-year hiatus, showcasing a matured sound that still retained their signature edge. The album marked a return to a more collaborative writing approach between Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs· The White Stripes· Interpol
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Heart of a Dog
A pivotal moment occurs when the narrative shifts from external longing to an intimate reflection on personal loss and yearning.
This shift deepens the emotional weight of the song, emphasizing a more vulnerable side of the narrator that contrasts with earlier bravado.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Doing It to Death 4:07
- 2 Heart of a Dog 3:46
- 3 Hard Habit to Break 3:52
- 4 Bitter Fruit 4:14
- 5 Days of Why and How 4:32
- 6 Let It Drop 3:15
- 7 Hum for Your Buzz 3:17
- 8 Siberian Nights 4:53
- 9 That Love 2:33
- 10 Impossible Tracks 3:41
- 11 Black Tar 3:52
- 12 Echo Home 5:06
- 13 Whirling Eye 3:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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