Reviewing “Plainride” now feels a little like reading the book after seeing the film. It’s been available digitally for a while, and it has been a couple of months since I saw them open for Corrosion Of Conformity. That night, I wrote, “they look like the sort of people who, if they weren’t on the stage, would be in the crowd watching. Plainride have a wonderful authenticity about them.” And that authenticity is all over this album.
“Fire In The Sky” kicks things off, and you might think they couldn’t do funky, but oh boy, they prove you wrong. It’s Supersonic blues Machine worthy, and when Max Rebel sings, “I’m coming here before you to testify,” it’s suddenly a fire and brimstone Neil Fallon.
“Hello. Operator” is glorious. The swing, the groove—it’s infectious. “Can you put me in touch with the good life?” goes the hook, and it’s not far off. You can’t help but get caught up in it.
“S.O.T.U” follows and.,,well, if you had “power metal” on your bingo card, then congratulations! But just when you think you have them figured out, they throw in a “fuck yeah! I don’t want to go work no more” for no reason, and suddenly you feel like quitting your job too.
“Wanderer” is much more like what you imagined this album would be. It carries you along on its captivating journey. “Siebengebirge” follows, bringing out the acoustics for a folky interlude, showcasing their versatility.
Yet this album exists in its almost disco groove, as “Ritual” proves. But then it takes a real handbrake turn with the dry as desert dust beauty of “Shepherd,” a seven-minute epic that takes as many journeys as it wants. The solo in this song is a true highlight and is a testament to the band’s skill and musicality.
If we said “Clutch” about “Hour Of The Mûmakil,” then I am going to say that people aren’t going to be upset, but “The Lillies” serves as the final surprise—a glorious harmonica-drenched ballad. It’s a beautiful way to conclude the album and leaves a lasting impression.
And maybe there’s a reason that this record is self-titled, even though it’s their third. Maybe it’s their rebirth—or, to use that word again, maybe it’s authentically them. This album showcases Plainride’s growth, and its first class….
Rating: 8.5/10
