SLOWRIDE - "C/S"

It has become very easy for me to dismiss anything that seems to resemble what is being played on the radio today. With only a few bars of a familiar-sounding riff I can pre-judge an entire song, that artist and their entire catalog. I was inches away from doing the same with the disc I received from Slowride's label, the band's latest - produced by Stuart Sikes no less. The first few notes came through the speakers and sounded like something I would be quick to switch off on the dial. But I pushed myself to go a little further in my listening and was pleased for having done so. There are some solid melodic frames on the record, reminding me of The Smithereens, but sounding more power than pop. Thunderous guitar work is backed up by a rock-solid rhythm section, mixed with a relaxed vocal style that makes it all sound so easy. There are definitely alt-rock influences to be found in the group's sound, ranging from the Foo Fighters and Sonic Youth to Yo La Tengo and The Strokes.

-- Jason Manriquez
Scissor Socket Shocker Zine, Issue 1