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Rating: 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.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Chelsea Girl (02:57)
Take me for a ride away from the places I have known
If I stay around I'll just remember I'm alone
There's someone in my memory making me move on
What was grey and hazy, is black and white now I have gone
Drive me up to London now it's got too dark to see
My waiting is over, there's no visitor for me
Never let me talk to you, destroy the frozen past
It's a different time now things are moving much too fast
Float by today, now it's turning to grey
Raining my doubts let my thoughts slip away
You must have something and what it is I don't know
You must have something 'cause I can't let you go
02 Drive Blind (04:45)
Can't see the lights or the blue orange signs
Can't see the road or the long white lines
Feeling the ground through the pedals on the floor
Feeling death pounding at the door
Windows all open, chaos in my hair
Driving me round and leaving me there
Cover my eyes and we'll die driving blind
Cover my trail and we'll leave this life behind
Drive blind
All at once, too much light
Captured and frozen, hear no sound
Bright flashes penetrate
Glowing, flowing, lifting off the ground
Can't see the lights or the blue orange signs
Can't see the road or the long white lines
Cover my eyes and we'll die driving blind
Cover my trail and we'll leave this life behind
Drive blind
04 Close My Eyes (05:27)
Last night I had such a good time
But there's a price to pay
A night full of kicks, now the sun's in my eyes
And I feel so weary today
I want to close my eyes
I want to close my eyes
I want to ride and ride and ride
'Til I'm nowhere
Make your body a blanket
Let me rest my head
The world can wait for just a few minutes more
They might as well be dead
I want to close my eyes
I want to close my eyes
I want to ride and ride and ride
'Til I'm nowhere
'Til I'm nowhere
'Til I'm nowhere
'Til I'm nowhere
'Til I'm nowhere
'Til I'm nowhere
'Til I'm nowhere
'Til I'm nowhere
'Til I'm nowhere
I want to close my eyes
I want to close my eyes
I want to close my eyes
05 Like a Daydream (03:06)
The way your hair hangs down it hides away your face
For you it's perfect when it seems like such a waste
And when I see you gliding past I make my plans
And then my plans slip through my fingers just like sand
I wish that life could be just like a photograph
One moment captured as you laugh your perfect laugh
But that's a daydream, things could never be so right
There's so much more to think about than black and white
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