Going Blank Again
Going Blank Again gives Ride's layered guitars a brighter and more openly melodic setting. The music still has considerable weight, but the band sound more comfortable bringing the tunes forward. Mark Gardener and Andy Bell's voices are an important part of that change. Their gentle delivery works well with the clearer arrangements, even when the words themselves are less memorable.
Leave Them All Behind begins on a large scale. Its interlocking guitars fill the space around a recurring vocal melody, building an imposing sound across the song's extended length. It is an effective opening, although its size can also make the individual sections less distinct. The force of the performance matters more than constant changes of direction.
Twisterella then offers a much tighter form of excitement. The rhythm has a lively bounce, while the melody gives the guitars a clear purpose. It is an easy song to return to, and its direct appeal adds something valuable to the album's heavier material.
The record has room for other approaches too. Chrome Waves uses acoustic guitar to give its broad arrangement a different texture. Not Fazed brings the two guitarists into a more flexible exchange, while OX4 provides a substantial closing counterpart to the opener. These contrasts help the album feel wider than a single repeated mood.
The production supports that variety. There are plenty of guitar layers, but they do not always have to create the same dense surface. The voices can carry a tune more clearly, and the brighter playing leaves the songs with a more welcoming character.
The writing is uneven in places. Mouse Trap is less distinctive than the strongest songs, and Making Judy Smile has a slightness that the bigger arrangements cannot entirely hide. Some of the lyrics also depend on the delivery to make an impression.
Even with those weaker moments, Going Blank Again is a rewarding melodic rock record. Its best songs bring a strong sense of shape to Ride's guitar sound, giving the album both immediate appeal and enough variety to make the longer pieces worthwhile.
