I know that The Ash is a side-project for a well-known band, but I can’t seem to find out which band that was. But that’s besides the point for The 3 Phases of Love Lost. The album is a great rock album that crosses and mixes punk, rock, and some indie together into a cohesive album that rivals a lot of other bands that I enjoy.

Through the ten tracks (plus one hidden), there isn’t a moment where the album stutters and gets boring. There is enough variety in the music that each song is distinct and reminds me a bit of the Hiatus and later Ellegarden. Both those Japanese bands have very good arrangements and The Ash meets and exceeds those two bands on some songs.

Rock, punk, and indie fans all need to listen to this album. It’s far beyond being strictly a commercial attempt, it’s a fully realized album that is excellent.