Pioneers of the revival of cool, lo-fi rock, The Vines return with the first single from their forthcoming follow up to Highly Evolved. But can they still cut it amongst the new competition that has emerged since they've been gone? Jet spring to mind...
Ride is everything you would expect from the follow up, plus a little bit more. The song races through a trademark pop structure, with a cool, quirky guitar riff, and big chorus with vocal harmonies. Nicholls' unashamed, brash, lazy vocal delivery is as prominent as ever, adding a feeling of cheeky arrogance that they just about pull off.
People say the sign of a great band is when they make what they do look easy. Well, surging, anthemic Ride certainly does this for the rockers from Oz. Competition? What competition? The Vines are back in town.
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