We Ride: Empowering Life

Although We Ride plays hardcore punk, their musical style is slightly more polished and more accessible than you might expect. But where it lacks in raw edge it makes up for in speed and aggressiveness. In general, this is the hardcore of the 90s—I don't mean the lame, whiny 90s, but the style that blended the staccato rhythms of grind with the structures left over from 80s hardcore punk. Even if this isn't my preferred hardcore style, it works better than other bands doing the same things. I can see We Ride getting audiences excited, especially at outdoor festivals when a little moshing does the body good.

As the album's title lets on, We Ride plays music that encourages a healthy mindset, particularly within social and political spheres. I found this approach refreshing, mostly because the adolescent whining of some bands grinds on one's nerves. Mimi Telmo's vocals help carry this off. She is strong without being overly angry or preachy. And, if the band's music videos are any indication, she makes for a good frontwoman.

Overall, this is an admirable collection of songs, especially if you're looking for good hardcore performed with technical proficiency. The main drawback to this album is that the music rarely varies from track to track. Consistency isn't a bad thing but occasionally things sound too much the same.

Track Listing:
1. Voices
2. Self-Made
3. What You Are
4. Time Is Now
5. Do It All Again
6. Summer
7. Impossible
8. Everybody Matters
9. Endless Hopes

Added: May 5th 2017
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Label Page
Hits: 1517
Language: english

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