Sydney psychedelic alt-rockers The Rider have offered up a new extended play release, although this term has been stretched to the broadest term possible, as Songs from Side A only includes two tracks. At only three dollars, it’s a tasty entrée, and leaves you hoping for an eventual Songs from Side B before the main course of a delicious LP is served up on your dinner plate.
Sonically and thematically, The Rider bring you two tracks of smooth shoegaze pop-rock – one positive, the other more sombre. Part B is highly anticipated after hearing these hits.
Opening track A Place to Go creates a quirky atmosphere from the get go and opens with a whimsical lead melody, before slowing down to a sway. “Your choices in life, they hold you down, you take a break, and try to liberate yourself.” The opening lines characterise the ephemeral theme of forgetting your problems and seeking peace in the sky, driven into stone by the airy oohs and aahs preluding to the chorus. So why not fly away with this anthemic slacker’s song? It’s hypnotic and creative enough to take you on its stride, building to a fanciful climax at tail end of its four minute run time.
Eye of the Beholder kicks off with a far more lounge driven atmosphere, the drum beat atomised by rim shots and an excessive use of flams. “Is this a party, or just a nice dream? I guess I’ll see, when I look through the scene?” This line continues to accentuate the psychedelic vibe, where the instrumentation carries a very mellow verse into a powerful John Farnham-esque chorus. A jangly guitar solo transports the song through to a well-placed bridge and suddenly Songs from Side A is all over, and it is time to flip back to track one.
The lucrative decision from The Rider to deliver such a morsel sized package works in their favour, as you will want to get the most out of these songs, and delve into what they have to offer sonically and thematically, whilst also imagining just what they might achieve on a full length release.
They are expected to release Songs From Side B early next year. Launching the EP 15 November at the Captain Cook Hotel.
East coast tour dates below:
Saturday November 15th – The Captain Cook Hotel, Sydney NSW
w/ The Double Shadows & Thunder Fox
$10, 18+
Thursday November 20th – Trainspotters, Brisbane, QLD
w/ Shady Bliss, Baskervillian & Malo Zima
Free Entry 18+
Saturday November 22nd – Jungle Love Festival, Lake Moogerah, QLD
Wednesday November 26th – The Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle, NSW
w/ Owen Rabbit & Others TBA
Free Entry 18+
Friday November 28th – Revolver Upstairs, Melbourne, VIC
Bands TBA
$10, 18+
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