49. Nowhere - Ride 1990
Starting the countdown with 'Nowhere' is fitting as it's probably one of this lists lesser known entries
but is undoubtedly one of the most influential, and its effect is still being felt today. There is literally thousands of bands out there today still using Ride's debut full length as the blueprint to their own sound, lyrical musings and overall approach. This album is the holy grail of a British movement called 'Shoegaze'. This pigeon-hole was, naturally, coined by the British contemporary music press, in reference to the fact that the groups dubbed, 'Shoegazing bands', used so much effects pedals on their guitar rigs that they often spent large periods of time onstage staring at the ground. Released in October 1990, on the then rising, Creation Records, The band were already stars, due to three previous E.P.'s they had released prior to the arrival of 'Nowhere'. Arriving with floppy fringes, baggy clothes, posh-Oxfordshire accents and pin up good looks. The lyrics were very vague and wistful, whilst the music was noisy but delicate, pointy but sometimes cacophonous, heavy, yet not metallic. This was music made by art students but unlike peers, My Bloody Valentine, never strayed into self-indulgence and never forgot the
actual songs. Ride really did write the book on where indie Rock, or more specifically, 'Shoegaze', could go. On one hand you had the pretty, jangly, cello-embellished, 'Vapour Trail' that is often used as the album's calling card. On the other hand, there is the title track that is ugly, bruising and very bleak. The records other tracks all visit different shades between these two extremes and is a truly essential 90's record. The album became an essential soundtrack to the student generation who copied the bands blank, wistful outlook to the world and the amount of marijuana consumed to the sounds of this album is, without doubt, staggering. Not to endorse any kind of drug use, but it has to be said, this record makes perfect sense when under the influence of cannabis. The different textures and multi-layering of vocals and guitars swathed in delay, overdrive and flange effects, truly come alive. The band members haircuts and choice of clothing was soon being aped wherever you went. Front man and bee-stung-lipped pretty boy, Mark Gardener influenced thousands of males to grow their hair out and side-part their fringe over one eye, buy Rickenbacker guitars, go shopping for baggy red jeans and write songs with lots of "ahhhs" and "ohhhs", interspersed with tales of clouds, colors and other things that can be interpreted as drug references and falling in love with pretty girls. A stunning album from a band that were only at the end of their teens at the time of writing.