Ashes Grammar

Following a successful European tour, A Sunny Day in Glasgow's Ben Daniels began preparations for the recording of the band's next album.^[5] He rented a large dance studio space within the Downtown Performing Arts Center in Lambertville, which became the primary location for recording.^[5][6] He and bandmate Josh Meakim then began experimenting with sounds and setting up microphones in the space.^[5] Prior to the start of formal work on the album, however, three members of A Sunny Day in Glasgow departed the band under varying circumstances: Brice Hickey, who had "very seriously" broken his legs in an accident while loading equipment into his car on the day that recording was set to begin; Lauren Daniels, who left in order to care for Hickey, her then-boyfriend; and Robin Daniels, who wished to pursue her graduate studies.^[7] The band was subsequently reduced to Ben Daniels and Josh Meakim.^[7] Annie Fredrickson was later invited to join A Sunny Day in Glasgow on the recommendation of a fan of the band who was familiar to Ben Daniels "from shows", after Daniels asked the fan whether he knew any vocalists.^[8] The trio of Daniels, Meakim and Fredrickson helmed the album's recording.^[9]

Ashes Grammar was recorded from September to December 2008.^[6] The expansiveness of the dance studio space allowed Ben Daniels the freedom to experiment with different acoustics.^[8] He has cited Alvin Lucier's I Am Sitting in a Room as an influence on the recording process.^[7][8] As Lauren and Robin Daniels, the lead singers on earlier A Sunny Day in Glasgow recordings, had left the band, vocal duties on Ashes Grammar were shared by Fredrickson and Meakim.^[5] Fredrickson's friend Beverly Science performed additional vocals on the album.^[5] Mich White, who was previously a touring bassist for A Sunny Day in Glasgow, also "contributed ideas" from his home in Austin.^[5]

More information Aggregate scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	6.9/10[10]
Metacritic	77/100[11]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[12]
Drowned in Sound	8/10[13]
NME	5/10[14]
Pitchfork	8.3/10[15]
PopMatters	6/10[16]
The Skinny	[17]
Tiny Mix Tapes	4.5/5[18]

Close

In 2016, Pitchfork ranked Ashes Grammar at number 35 on its list of the best shoegaze albums of all time.^[2]

Notes

• The track order for the LP edition repositions "Blood White" between "Passionate Introverts (Dinosaurs)" and "West Philly Vocoder".

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.^[6]