Ride - Going Blank Again

Following up a masterpiece like Nowhere is a task few bands survive, yet with 1992’s Going Blank Again, Ride didn't just meet expectations—they shattered them. While their debut was a dark, hypnotic dive into the "oceans" of sound, this sophomore effort saw the Oxford quartet—led by the dual songwriting of Mark Gardener and Andy Bell—emerge into the light. It is a "different kettle of fish" entirely: a record that maintains the band’s trademark wall of sound while injecting it with a newfound sense of popcraft, melody, and stadium-sized ambition.

The album opens with the towering, eight-minute epic "Leave Them All Behind," a track that perfectly bridges the gap between psychedelic drone and driving rock, propelled by Steve Queralt’s thumping bass and Loz Colbert’s relentless drumming. However, the true heart of the record lies in its brighter, more melodic moments. Tracks like "Twisterella" and "Not Fazed" trade gloom for "shimmering psychedelic textures" and "chiming guitar lines," proving that Ride could write hooks just as effectively as they could layer distortion.

This vinyl edition captures the expansive, polished production of the original sessions at Abbey Road. The "oceans of layered guitars" are rendered with incredible depth, ensuring that the heavy effects and soaring vocal harmonies are delivered with maximum impact. While it may have surprised the "drone-fixated" purists of the era, Going Blank Again stands today as a brilliant testament to a band expanding their horizons and mastering the art of the alternative anthem.