Is Grasshopper a good place to start with Ride?

Yes, Grasshopper is recommended as a starting point for new Ride listeners. Ethereal guitars entwine with hypnotic rhythms, creating a lush soundscape that defines the essence of early 90s shoegaze. Released in January 1992, Grasshopper marked Ride's transition from their debut album, Nowhere, solidifying their status within the burgeoning shoegaze movement. This EP showcased their evolving sound and lyrical depth as they began to experiment more boldly with longer compositions and complex arrangements.

Who is Grasshopper for?

Grasshopper works well if you're into dreamy soundscapes for reflection, dynamic flow with peaks and wave-like pacing for immersion.

How many songs are on Grasshopper?

Grasshopper has 7 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Grasshopper

Ride · 1992

38 min · 7 tracks · alternative rock

Ethereal guitars entwine with hypnotic rhythms, creating a lush soundscape that defines the essence of early 90s shoegaze.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Leave Them All Behind Start here — This track stands out with its sweeping melodies and dynamic shifts, embodying the essence of shoegaze while pushing song structure boundaries.
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Grasshopper — At nearly eleven minutes, this title track captures the band's experimental edge with its intricate layers and immersive atmosphere.
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Twisterella — A shorter, more accessible track that balances catchy hooks with signature sonic textures, showcasing Ride's ability to blend pop sensibilities with atmospheric depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Grasshopper showcases Ride's evolving sound with lush instrumentation and strong cohesion across its tracks.

What we noticed

The opening track, 'Leave Them All Behind', features a driving rhythm and layered guitars that create a sense of urgency, setting the tone for the EP.
Each track maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, with ethereal guitar effects that blend seamlessly into hypnotic rhythms throughout.
The final track, 'Stampede', closes with an extended instrumental outro that gradually fades out, allowing the listener to linger in the soundscape.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dreamy soundscapes for reflection
dynamic flow with peaks
wave-like pacing for immersion
exhilarating moments of release

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward song structures
seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Helped solidify Ride's status in the shoegaze movement, showcasing their evolving sound.
Themes: hypnotic rhythms· early 90s shoegaze· immersive soundscapes
Career context: Released in January 1992, Grasshopper marked Ride's transition from their debut album, Nowhere, solidifying their status within the burgeoning shoegaze movement. This EP showcased their evolving sound and lyrical depth as they began to experiment more boldly with longer compositions and complex arrangements.
Stylistic neighbors: My Bloody Valentine· Slowdive· Lush