Ride
Smile

THE REVIEW

Despite, or perhaps precisely because of the fact that, the so-called shoegaze is one of the most popular genres among a certain type of "indie/alternative" audience, on DeBaser these sounds seem to garner less interest, with the exception of the two major guardians of the genre, namely My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive.

Today, the number of bands trying to reinterpret, in a more or less modern key (see The Horrors or Toy, just to mention two of the more popular rising stars in Italy), although often declining and trivializing it into a more canonical and melodic format, often crossing into the related dream-pop.

Well then, if many decide, without actually missing anything truly epoch-making, to completely skip the revival wave (which follows the "new-wave of Interpol and the likes"), at least at its beginnings the genre still features a couple of bands definitely worth rediscovering. Among these, right after the aforementioned heavyweights, surely come Ride, fathers of the more rock-oriented branch of the genre. Unlike the more psychedelic MBV and the sophisticated and ethereal dreamlike atmospheres of Slowdive, here we move to a more physical and earthly level, the songs are songs and the melodies always present, although covered by the usual layer of noise and distortions. Nonetheless, we are not facing a banal or ignorable band, despite the later commercial drift their early works are absolutely deserving, full of great songs able to combine energy and accessibility, which still sound fresh and inspired even today, after more than 20 years.

"Smile", released in 1990, the same year as the group's beautiful album debut, the unfortunately often forgotten "Nowhere" and collects the group's first two EPs, "Ride" and "Play", which feature, compared to the mentioned album, slightly rougher and tighter compositions and represents, in the personal tastes of the reviewer, the non plus ultra of the band alongside the debut. As already mentioned, Ride then, alas, went on to excessively simplify their proposal, seduced by the sirens of mainstream approval (but the two EPs "Fall" and "Vapour Trail" remain very interesting), nothing, however, will ever cast a shadow over the beauty of the beginnings of their path.