Okay this is a retrospective review, as this album has been out a year now. But JUST A RIDE are now starting to make such a powerful wave, they are surfing on the crest. I recently saw them at The Giffard Arms in Wolverhampton, supporting The Karma Effect and wondered how they had escaped a writeup by me in 2022, so I’ll now put that to right. The Nottingham based four are described as Grunge and 90’s Alternative Rock inspired and they have been likened to the ’Stone Temple Pilots’. I can see the similarity to a point as the essence of the genre is evident, however their style is not solely pivoted in Seattle.
Just A Ride – Present Line Up
An original introduction of 19 seconds, that has a fairground scenario, precedes ‘Fallen’, which is a blunt trauma of a force. The riffs deviate with squealing guitar from Drew Lowe and the remarkable vocals of Rod Henderson hover and slide between graceful and hard hitting, it’s a superb track to open with. The album shifts straight into ‘Not Enough’ next and the Grunge effect is layered with some streetwise lyrics. It’s catchy, in your face and totally swallows you up with some gut ridden guitar towards the end. This band certainly have character, while ‘Razor’ is more drifting, with a melody crashing into another bone shuddering symphony, ‘I Wanna Know’ is a direct hit, eventually dropping down into a mind absorbing and psychedelic trance. I love the ear worm ‘Who You Are’, the chords reverb to provide a dirt covered hook, then it glides into floaty mellowness before switching back into chaotic bliss, brilliantly done.
A more determined start on ’Time Is Running Out’ and the words speak for themselves, a finger pointing at those to blame ‘Grain By Grain It Slips Away, Time And Again Now You’re Facing The End’ passionate and evocative stuff. The track ’Start Over’ hears Rod singing with such sharpness that he reminds me of Perry Farrell and Jane’s Addiction, there’s also a similar avant-garde and innovative structure, within the song. Talk about turning it about, ’Standing Here’ pours over the coals with emulsifying creaminess, this ride is getting entwined in even more splendour. ‘No Way Out’ was exceptional live the other week and stuck in my head. On record it’s no less absorbing, another with a chorus that defines the outstanding writing skills of this band and a guitar solo of some merit. The last track ‘Release Me’ caress’s and soothes, the ballad is soaked with refined and beautiful charm and again Rod’s vocals are delivered with perfection.
This is a debut album of some worth, not only produced by Dave Draper, it was mixed by Chris Sheldon ( Feeder, Skunk Anansie, Biffy Clyro) and mastered by Tim Debney at Fluid Mastering, all three renown for their work. There isn’t one track that falls below the high water mark, ten incredible pieces of work that will leave you shellshocked, I kid you not. It’s so refreshing to hear a band take the fundamental elements of Grunge and stir it up with such contemporary and imaginative ideas.
‘Ten incredible pieces of work that will leave you shellshocked ‘
Highlights – Fallen, Who Are You, Time Is Running Out, No Way Out.
Album features – Rod Henderson/Vocals, Drew Lowe /Guitar, Alex Bailey/ Drums and former Bassist Russ Stedman.
Artwork – Sam Hayles & Rod Henderson
Special Thanks to Katie Richardson of Hellfire Music Entertainment
JUST A RIDE –
Facebook: //www.facebook.com/justaridepage
Instagram: //www.instagram.com/justarideband/
Spotify: //open.spotify.com/artist/2XC4Nga7sPqaO7dB1jRlnu
