Comments for Ride, Carnival of Light

I am a fan of "Going blank again" , "Nowhere" and "Smile" but this is not a Ride album but Mark´s themes.

I have to agree, this isn't a good ride album. i much prefer the style on smile, nowhere and going blank again. enough said.

the album is ok, just not like ride. some of the songs sound better live on the live lp (live light).

Although this is pleasant to listen to it is the weakest Ride album, marking their transition from white-noise guitar to a more distilled 60's retro-rock sound. There is some good guitar work and nice tunes with the quiet-loud "Birdman" the highlight, but in general this is a bit of a disappointment to a fan of the early Ride sound.

Sorry, I have to disagree with all the above - Carnival is the best Ride album of the lot. It shows Andy Bell for what he is: A genius songwriter, a great guitarist, and a great singer. Mark's stuff is also great; I love the way the album is split into Mark's half first, then Andy's (more or less). 1000 Miles has to be one of the best songs they've done. They had taken the white noise guitar stuff to a point where they could do no more; no one was interested in listening to that anyway. They wanted to make a record to reflect what they liked, and they did. I think it's a powerful, cohesive, surprising and original work.

This is totally weird.Why does everyone say this is Ride's weakest album?OK, I also enjoy the noisy Nowhere and Smile (even though both are kind of monotone).Going Blank Again is also a brilliant album (especially Mousetrap, Cool Your Boots and Time Machine).But Carnival Of Lights is Ride's masterpiece.These songs are not walls of sound "anyone" could create.No, with exception of How Does It Feel...(which ironically is the most "old style" track on the album) the songs are all fantastic.Such good melodies and what harmonies!The epic Moonlight Medicine opens the album, in my opinion this is possibly the ultimate Ride song.And how can you resist the beauty of Crown Of Creation and I Don't Know...?This album really is a Must for anyone, Ridefan or not.

This is a fantastic album, coming in a close second to Going Blank Again. Only Now and Crown of Creation mellow masterpieces and Bells smooth vocals caress the brain like the sea over sand. There are a few dodgy effort especially "How Does It Feel" but this cannot detract from what is a triumph of bliss enducing melodies. Superb.

This is a fantastic album, coming in a close second to Going Blank Again. Only Now and Crown of Creation mellow masterpieces and Bells smooth vocals caress the brain like the sea over sand. There are a few dodgy effort especially "How Does It Feel" but this cannot detract from what is a triumph bliss enducing melodies. Superb.

Carnival of Light is amazingly underrated...sure the crashing drums and feedback from "Nowhere" are nowhere to be found, but the songs are excellent...and the vibe is mellow and laid back...I would recommend this to non-Ride fans as an album to start with...