innerspaceboy

I’ve given this album two solid listens, and I’m grateful that I gave it a second shot. Initially, I played the Youtube version on my server and listened using my Audioquest Nighthawks, and found it nearly unlistenable. From the first note off the record, the album sounded incredibly muddy, as if I were listening submerged in a tank of water. And don’t misunderstand me - there are a few shoegaze staples which are produced precisely to sound that way and to a marvelous result. But after three tracks I was so frustrated with the sound that I terminated the album survey and moved on to other tasks.

After a day passed I thought I should give it another shot so I played it again, but this time used my Focal mains instead of the Nighthawks. I was delighted to find it a wholly different and far more gratifying listening experience. Just a minute or two into the opening track, it was evident that the transparency of my floor speakers served this record far better than the heavily-colorized signature of the headphones. The vocals are most certainly subdued, both in Nash’s delivery and in the mixing, but in a way wonderfully suited to the genre. The endlessly swirling phasing effect of the guitar and the percussion-from-a-distant-planet are enough to convince any unsuspecting listener that this album was lifted straight out of the prime era of shoegaze. As a haughty musical traditionalist, I found that I had a really difficult time dismissing this record as modern rubbish and it spoiled all my pretentious fun.

While there are no massively-gripping moments from this record, it makes no attempt to be giant or showman-like. It simply acts as a brilliantly loud sonic bed for the listener to lose him/herself in, just as a good shoegaze record should. The already-named influences are absolutely evident, and the duo does nothing to hide this - instead the album is an excellent tribute to the mainstays of droning neo-psychedelia, (and “Outside” sounds reminiscent of a slightly more uptempo “Venus in Furs.”)

All in all, a surprisingly enjoyable album. So glad I gave it a fair shake.

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Aloysius

While tracks like the opener betray an obsession with My Bloody Valentine - and who can blame them - other tracks remind me more of the spacey gothicism of This Mortal Coil. Still other tracks, in contrast with the British shoegaze tradition, show a band with a deep affinity with American musical tradition - from the minor pentatonic soaked blues rock of Grass to the I - IV - V doo wop loop of The Greatest Fall, and that heavy gauge reverb soaked surf guitar tone that permeates much of the album. I really like the way the vocals sit, distant, nostalgic and other worldly. I'll definitely keep this one in my library, thanks TH!
8/10

DwnWthVwls

Album Review...

The Black Ryder - Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride (2009)
Soo.. this was interesting. I don't have much experience with shoegaze, and I feel like everytime someone plays it in plug I really don't understand what defines the genre. When I first started listening I was playing it on my iPad, and I was not enjoying it at all. The background ambience in the first 2-3 songs drowned out everything, and it kind of turned me off. It was better when I listened with headphones, and it's not the worst thing, but I still rather it not be there. Overall, I enjoyed the sound even if it was pretty simple and I think I will look more into this genre in the future. Thanks Troll, nice way to kick things off.

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Trollheart

Thanks to all who have posted their thoughts so far. Just a reminder, those who have not yet reviewed you need to do so by Saturday night, as we'll then be moving on. If anyone needs an extension let me know, though I would prefer not to get into the habit of doing this, as it keeps things nice and tidy if we can finish with one album by the due date and get moving on the next.

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Ol’ Qwerty Bastard

I'm not entirely sure why but I've never really gotten along with shoegaze. Sure, I have a lot of appreciation for the likes of MBV and Slowdive, but aside from that I tend to pass on the genre. While The Black Ryder present an album that isn't bad per say, Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride failed to ever truly excite me. There are moments on the project, like the doo-wop infused The Greatest Fall, that see a nice change of pace, but overall it just feels like an album that's a touch too comfortable. There's nothing wrong with comfort, but in playing it safe this project failed to ever reach the level it could hit. Again, my feelings towards the genre as a whole could be why I feel the way I do, but it just doesn't seem like this is the caliber of project that will turn people like me into a fan.

I'd give this a 2-2.5/5

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Trollheart

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Ol’ Qwerty Bastard

you can't please everyone

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OccultHawk

Revisiting this. Sounds great this time around.

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Psy-Fi

I'll use the template as well...

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
I thought it sounded fairly typical for the genre. Average.

2. What did you think of the opening track?
Same as above.

3. What did you think of the next track?
Reminded me of The Velvet Underground. I kept hearing "Shiny, shiny, shiny boots of leather" in my head as I was listening to the song. Not bad but it didn't stand out either.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?
Sounded average for the genre.

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?
Not really.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it?
Slightly better.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
Mostly unintelligible.

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?
Some more than others but nothing really jumped out at me.

9. What did you think of the production?
Don't really care for this type of production overall.

10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?
Never heard of them before.

11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?
Other than Cocteau Twins and Mazzy Star, I generally don't have much interest in the genre.

12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
Listened twice. My opinion didn't change after the second listen.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?
No particular track stood out to me (other than "The Greatest Fall" which only stood out because it sounded like a Mazzy Star rip-off.)

14. And the one you liked least?
Probably the opening track. If the rest of the album had sounded like that, I probably would've lost interest fairly quickly.

15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?
Didn't make any difference to me.

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?
Hadn't heard them before. Unfortunately, this album didn't exactly make me want to bother seeking out any more of their work.

17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?
I was expecting a bit more and was rather disappointed overall.

18. Did the album end well?
The last track was mildly pleasant, so I guess it ended well.

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
I'd change the production and shorten it to around 40 minutes.

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
More hit-and-miss for me. 5/10

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Goofle

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?

Enjoyable, especially when the lush vocals came in. Nice riff and spacey undertones.

2. What did you think of the opening track?

The above covers this I suppose.

3. What did you think of the next track?

I think the intro was perhaps too long. The vocal part wasn't necessary, and would have been nicer if the drums came in earlier. The breakdown (?) in the middle was nice.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?

Really like her. Comes across pretty laid back.

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?

Yeah it's nice. Not quite as abrasive as it could have been, but that's my taste.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?

It was generally quite consistent as these kind of albums seem to be. I think it lacked stand out tracks overall though.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?

No real thoughts.

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?

Pleasant but, as stated before, I would have preferred more abrasive parts. Not enough kick ass riffs.

9. What did you think of the production?

I don't generally think about production beyond how the album sounds, so it's basically the same answer #5 and #8.

10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?

I believe I have heard of them, but not listened to them. I had no idea what kind of band they were.

11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?

Lately I haven't, but I love this kind of music and am always excited to find another good to great shoegaze record.

12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?

I think I liked it the same both times.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?

The first or last song.

14. And the one you liked least?

Not sure.

15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?

I would maybe do that for debuts released up until like 1980, but not anything modern.

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?

I will probably listen to their other album on Spotify.

17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?

Nope. Expected to like it. I trust you boss.

18. Did the album end well?

Yes. One of my favourite songs.

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?

Harsher noises.

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?

It was cohesive for sure.

7/10

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