Ride’s previous four albums only occasionally captured the gleeful savagery of their live sound and this comeback collection is no different. Weather Diaries brings electronic touches into play, but the production is too chaste and respectful throughout. The reunited quartet’s strength is their vast-sounding intimacy, a compelling combination of fragility and noise. When they glide into one of their remarkable instrumental passages, particularly on Lannoy Point, Charm Assault or the immense title track, they display some of that fearsome power. Elsewhere, they seem a little tame, becalmed, with a handful of pleasant but unmemorable songs. It’ll sound better live.
