Cosmic Rough Riders – The Light Appears

The Smile compilation of Ride’s first two EPs was originally released in North America in July of 1990. The classic shoegaze band then added their next two EPs released from that time period and released them as the 4EPs compilation in 2022. Filled with crashing guitars, “Chelsea Girl” and “Drive Blind” are two early highlights, noisy but tuneful 90s indie rock. “Like A Daydream” adds a 60s psychedelic pop swirl to the band’s ever-growing sound.

It is with the Fall EP released in the fall of 1990 that the band really propels forward with their own sound. “Taste” is blast of super charged joy with a driving beat and fine vocals from Mark Gardener. To counteract that sound, “Nowhere” is a darker, moodier take. Ride’s final EP from this period was released soon after their debut album Nowhere. Today Forever adds the melodic “Sennen” and dreampop of “Today” to finish this collection.

The EPs were a hit for their label Creation Records with the first three hitting the top 75 in the UK, a remarkable feat at the time. After four albums, the band called it quits before reforming 30 years later. In the meantime, Andy Bell notably joining Oasis in 1999 and has been releasing solo albums over the years. Ride’s early track, “Here And Now” describes the original sound as “the train above me sounds like the music in my head”. A cacophony of melodic noise played with youthful exuberance is what really stands out on this compilation.

8/10

It’s been three years since the four lads of Django Django released first single, a double A side “Storm”/”Lover’s Dart” but they have finally come out with their self-titled debut release. The four Scottish lads now based in trendy East London, originally met at art school in Edinburgh several years ago. Much has been made of drummer/producer Dave MacLean being the younger brother of John MacLean from the mighty Beta Band, this isn’t just name dropping as “Zumm Zumm” could easily fit in with the Beta’s late 90s output.

Sounding like giddy hippies who have just discovered electronics, in another time Django Django could easily have been a lost cult band from the 70s. Campfire harmonies on the aforementioned “Lover’s Dart” meshes into the dark, clattering “WOR”, a twangy surf guitar line pushing the song forward. The same guitar twang appears on possible future single “Hail Bop” with its handclaps and stuttering drumbeat. Standout single “Default”’s angular sound catches the right side of dance floor friendly post punk.

The only quibble with DD’s sound is that the vocals can blunt the edges of the band’s sound, sounding more like Cosmic Rough Riders instead of the urgent voice of Alex Kapranos and Franz Ferdinand. Minor preference points aside, Django Django have delivered one of the better debuts of 2012.

8/10

Tag: Cosmic Rough Riders

Ride – 4 EPs (2022)

Django Django – S/T (2012)