Ashes Grammar

Following a successful European tour, A Sunny Day in Glasgow's Ben Daniels began plans for work on a new album.[2] He rented a large dance studio in New Jersey for recording, where he and bandmate Josh Meakim began experimenting with sounds and setting up microphones.[2] Prior to the start of formal work on the album, however, several members exited the band under varying circumstances, including 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 studies.[3] The band was subsequently reduced to Ben Daniels and Josh Meakim.[3] Annie Fredrickson later joined the band, and the trio of Daniels, Meakim, and Fredrickson helmed the album's recording.[4]

Ashes Grammar was recorded from September to December 2008.[2] The expansive recording environment of the dance studio allowed Ben Daniels the freedom to experiment with different acoustics.[5] He has cited Alvin Lucier's I Am Sitting in a Room as an influence on the recording process.[3][5] Following the departures of Lauren and Robin Daniels, vocal duties on Ashes Grammar were shared by Meakim and Fredrickson.[3] Fredrickson's friend Beverly Science also performed additional vocals on the album.[3]

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	6.9/10[6]
Metacritic	77/100[7]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[8]
Drowned in Sound	8/10[9]
NME	5/10[10]
Pitchfork	8.3/10[11]
PopMatters	6/10[12]
The Skinny	[13]
Tiny Mix Tapes	4.5/5[14]

In 2016, Pitchfork ranked Ashes Grammar at number 35 on its list of "The 50 Best Shoegaze Albums of All Time".[15]

All tracks are written by Ben Daniels, except where noted.

Credits for Ashes Grammar adapted from album liner notes.[16]