Hurricane #1

10/28/1997 3:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Dan Epstein

Ride's evolution from barely-competent shoegazers to psychedelic pop masters was as impossible to predict as it was fascinating to observe; when leader Andy Bell left the band early last year, it was anyone's guess as to where he might resurface. It's unfortunate, then, that he's ended up playing and writing for this band of craven Oasis imitators. With Alex Lowe's Liam-like sneer and a brace of Beatles cops ("Mother Superior," with its "Baby You're A Rich Man" melody, is only the most egregious) leading the way, Hurricane #1's debut sounds like a collection of outtakes from (What's The Story) Morning Glory?. Slickly produced by Kula Shaker boardman Steve Harris, the record sounds great--lush acoustic guitars, funky wah-wahs and fat basslines (courtesy of Will Pepper, formerly of Thee Hypnotics) abound--but there's precious little life under the sheen. Disappointing in the extreme.