The Ride
by Catfish and the Bottlemen
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: May 27, 2016
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 38
  3. Negative: 4 out of 38
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  1. JulieinLA
    May 29, 2016
    5
    Contrived and commercial, mediocre and forgettable despite solid production. Pales lyrically and musically in comparison to their excellent, energetic, and genuine debut album The Balcony.
  2. hwedel
    Jun 1, 2016
    6
    Catfish and the Bottlemen spurned their critics last time around on "The Balcony", and seemed poised to do the same here.

    While this album, "The Ride", is not awful in any way, it does leave much to be desired, for both critics and their loyal fans. Singer Van McCann promised that this album would "set off a little bomb in the music industry", yet after listening to the album, we are    Catfish and the Bottlemen spurned their critics last time around on "The Balcony", and seemed poised to do the same here.

    While this album, "The Ride", is not awful in any way, it does leave much to be desired, for both critics and their loyal fans. Singer Van McCann promised that this album would "set off a little bomb in the music industry", yet after listening to the album, we are all left scratching our heads with this quote. The album reminds the listener of all the bands influences (Oasis, The Strokes, etc.) without offering anything particularly memorable. McCann's vocal melodies are undeniably catchy, yet his lyrics are almost too casual for his own good.

    It has its moments: 'Oxygen' and 'Outside' showcase a band that is maturing through pushing their boundaries, but these moments leave us wanting a bit more. In its worst moments, you can almost see the band sitting around a water cooler brainstorming ways try to make their songs different from one another, usually by adding more and more sections, over stuffing the songs with more and more parts.

    The result is an album that lacks the flow and charm that "The Balcony" had. "The Ride" is not a bad entry to Catfish and the Bottlemen catalog, and will ultimately please crowds nonetheless; yet, the album that Catfish has promised has yet to be heard.    … Expand
  3. Mattyd93
    Jun 3, 2016
    5
    Somewhat disappointed with this album. Really this album is just a watered down not near as good version of The Balcony (their first record). The hooks aren't anywhere as good or as catchy, and even the songs that are good are filled with distasteful riffs and melodies you have to work through to enjoy the better parts. Vans voice throughout the whole record just sounds extremelySomewhat disappointed with this album. Really this album is just a watered down not near as good version of The Balcony (their first record). The hooks aren't anywhere as good or as catchy, and even the songs that are good are filled with distasteful riffs and melodies you have to work through to enjoy the better parts. Vans voice throughout the whole record just sounds extremely unenthusiastic, I feel no real emotion being conveyed whatsoever. With that being said I still enjoyed the album being a big Catfish fan, however I do believe this album will do no justice in introducing a new fan base. If you're not already a fan of Catfish and the Bottlemen this record is not going to make you a fan. Overall an extremely mediocre album in every aspect.… Expand
  4. emilyc
    Sep 1, 2019
    6
    some great songs all sounds kinda samey though nothing special not bad not good

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Most Discussed Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Sep 30, 2016
    40
    Tunes borrowing from Oasis and Echo & the Bunnymen via the clean, anthemic sound producer Dave Sardy provided for Jet, the UK quartet doesn't even try to sound new.
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  2. The Observer (UK)
    May 31, 2016
    60
    There is little original here. But McCann has his moments.
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  3. AllMusic
    May 27, 2016
    60
    Catfish & the Bottlemen hit their marks dutifully, rushing through their melodies but never taking it so quick that the singsong tunes don't stick, slowing down the tempo for needed breathers and ending the whole shebang with "Outside," an extended number designed to ratchet up expectations prior to the obligatory encore.
    Read full review
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