# Nowhere (album)

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1990 studio album by Ride

Nowhere Studio album by Ride Released 15 October 1990 Studio Blackwing, London Genre Shoegaze neo-psychedelia[1] noise pop Length 38:56 (vinyl) 52:12 (CD) Label Creation Producer Marc Waterman Ride chronology Fall (1990) Nowhere (1990) Today Forever (1991) Singles from Nowhere "Vapour Trail" Released: 1 April 1991 (U.S. only) "Kaleidoscope" Released: 1991 (U.S. only)

***Nowhere*** is the debut album by British [shoegaze](/source/Shoegaze) band [Ride](/source/Ride_(band)), released on 15 October 1990. It has been acclaimed as one of the greatest albums of the [shoegaze](/source/Shoegaze) genre.

## Background and production

Prior to the release of *Nowhere*, Ride had previously released three EPs, *[a self-titled EP](/source/Ride_(EP))*, *[Play](/source/Play_(Ride_EP))*, and *[Fall](/source/Fall_(Ride_EP))*; subsequent reissues of the album have featured songs from these EPs, especially its 20th anniversary edition in 2011.[1] *Nowhere* was recorded with and partially produced by Marc Waterman,[2] who backed out of the sessions, resulting in [Alan Moulder](/source/Alan_Moulder) mixing the final album.[2]

The band members were between 18 and 20 during the recording of *Nowhere*. Mark Gardener described it as a "nighttime sort of record", and recalled the band working on the album in the studio during late-night hours and long sessions. He said feelings of isolation in the album's music resulted from this work pattern.[3][4] Gardener said “It all added to that dark, alienated feeling that I think permeated through *Nowhere*.”[4]

Both Bell and Gardener used the Roland GP-16 [multi effects unit](/source/Effects_unit) to create various tones on the record, including [tremolo](/source/Tremolo) on "Polar Bear", and [modulation](/source/Modulation_(music)) on "Vapour Trail". According to [Guitar.com](/source/BandLab_Technologies) the unit helped to create the record's "[jangly](/source/Jangle_pop) cloud", in conjunction with the use of [pedals](/source/Guitar_pedal) that were core to shoegaze as it was developing.[4]

## Music

Samantha Lopez of *[Paste](/source/Paste_(magazine))* described *Ride* as "a collection of reverberated songs that stand effortlessly posed between digestible [pop](/source/Pop_music) songs and sonic, intense [noise-rock](/source/Noise_rock)."[5] Jason Heller of Pitchfork explains: "*Nowhere* reflects much of the indie environment that reverberated around them, including Sonic Youth’s distorted meltdowns, [the Stone Roses](/source/The_Stone_Roses)’ [jangly](/source/Jangle)-[psychedelia](/source/Psychedelic_music), and the chiming nightscapes of [the Cure](/source/The_Cure)’s *[Disintegration](/source/Disintegration_(The_Cure_album))*—not to mention a huge dose of inspiration from Ride’s [Creation Records](/source/Creation_Records) labelmates [My Bloody Valentine](/source/My_Bloody_Valentine_(band)). But unlike MBV, who were in the midst of resequencing the DNA of guitar-centric [indie rock](/source/Indie_rock), *Nowhere* harbors a deep strain of [classic rock](/source/Classic_rock) reverence, from the [Paul McCartney](/source/Paul_McCartney)-esque [bassline](/source/Bassline) of 'Seagull' to the 'When the Levee Breaks'-like stomp of 'Dreams Burn Down.' Mix in '[Vapour Trail](/source/Vapour_Trail_(song)),' the disc’s melancholy, [violin](/source/Violin)- and [cello](/source/Cello)-laced anthem to post-adolescent [romanticism](/source/Romanticism), and *Nowhere* stands elegantly poised between pop traditionalism, gently devastating songwriting, [choirboy](/source/Choirboy) harmonies, and the most harrowing sonic overdoses in [shoegaze](/source/Shoegaze)."[6]

## Artwork

The [album cover](/source/Album_cover) features an uncrested wave photographed by [Warren Bolster](/source/Warren_Bolster), known more for his work photographing skateboarders and snowboarders.[7] The original LP [cover artwork](/source/Cover_art) had the band name in embossed text centered in the upper half and an embossed album title in the lower right corner. The inner sleeve in the LP, or the liner notes in the CD, featured a text montage of lyrics from each song on the album. The original cassette and CD releases featured no band name or album title on the cover, but sometimes came with an identifying sticker on the outside of the CD or cassette case. For the 2001 CD re-release, the band name and title were printed visibly on the cover in the locations of the LP's embossed text.[8] The 2011 Rhino Handmade edition features a [lenticular](/source/Lenticular_printing) design of the wave.[9]

## Release

*Nowhere* was released by [Creation Records](/source/Creation_Records) on 15 October 1990. The album was issued in the United States in December 1990 by [Sire Records](/source/Sire_Records).[1]

A 2001 reissue by Ignition Records further added the four songs from the band's *[Today Forever](/source/Today_Forever)* EP as bonus tracks.

In February 2011, [Rhino Handmade](/source/Rhino_Entertainment) released a special 20th anniversary edition of *Nowhere*, featuring the remastered original album with seven bonus tracks from the band's previous EPs, plus a bonus disc featuring a previously unreleased live performance at [The Roxy](/source/Roxy_Theatre_(West_Hollywood)) in Los Angeles recorded on 10 April 1991. The set also includes a 40-page booklet with exclusive photos and a new essay by music critic [Jim DeRogatis](/source/Jim_DeRogatis), as well as a [lenticular](/source/Lenticular_printing)-covered [digipak](/source/Digipak) book.[9][10]

In November 2015, the band released a special 25th anniversary edition of *Nowhere* across two separate formats: a CD/DVD set, and a coloured-vinyl double LP. The CD features the same audio material as the 2001 and 2011 reissues remastered, with a DVD featuring a previously unreleased live performance at Town and Country Club in London on 7 March 1991. The discs come in a hardback cardboard case with canvas-style cover and a 36-page booklet. The 2LP version features an expanded track listing with 7 bonus tracks from the *Fall* and *Today Forever* EPs, and was pressed on white and blue marbled colour vinyl. The reissue was released independently.[11] In conjunction with the re-release, the band performed the album in its entirety at a series of live shows in October 2015.[12] *Nowhere* was re-released again in November 2022 by Wichita Recordings, with the reissue charting at number 62 on the [UK Albums Chart](/source/UK_Albums_Chart).

## Critical reception

Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [13] The A.V. Club A[2] Chicago Tribune [14] Entertainment Weekly B[15] Mojo [16] NME 7/10[17] Pitchfork 9.5/10[1] Record Mirror 4/5[18] Select 5/5[19] Uncut 8/10[20]

Reviewer Chris Roberts of *[Melody Maker](/source/Melody_Maker)* hailed it as "breathtaking".[21] Noting the "huge burden of expectation" placed on Ride's first full-length album after three acclaimed EPs, *[Select](/source/Select_(magazine))* critic Andrew Perry deemed *Nowhere* a "phenomenal" debut and praised the band's "heaven-sent melodic gift" and avoidance of "formularisation".[19] *[Record Mirror](/source/Record_Mirror)*'s Chris Sharratt called Ride "undoubtedly the present day kings of the [indie](/source/Independent_music) guitar empire" and found that the album justified the "media hype" around the band.[18] In a more ambivalent review for *[NME](/source/NME)*, Simon Williams wrote that only "two-thirds of *Nowhere* sublimely reaffirms our faith", and that the album "fails – unluckily – to gel as a Great Album should. It doesn't challenge or thrill unexpectedly."[17]

Retrospectively, *Nowhere* has been acclaimed as one of the greatest albums of the shoegaze genre.[13] David Bevan of *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))* described *Nowhere* as one of shoegaze's "indisputable masterpieces" and "one of shoegazing's enduring moments"[1] and Andy Kellman of [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) said that the album exemplified the genre at its "most exciting and mastered", while also being "Ride's zenith".[13] *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)* called the album "a masterpiece" while discussing to the band post-reformation.[22]

*Nowhere* was ranked at number 74 on *Pitchfork*'s 2003 list of the top 100 albums of the 1990s,[23] and at number 277 on *[Spin](/source/Spin_(magazine))*'s 2015 list of "The 300 Best Albums of the Past 30 Years".[24] It is also included in the book *[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die](/source/1001_Albums_You_Must_Hear_Before_You_Die)*.[25] The track "[Vapour Trail](/source/Vapour_Trail_(song))" was named the 145th best song of the 1990s by *Pitchfork* in 2010,[26] and the 81st best song of the 1990s by *NME* in 2012.[27]

## Track listing

All tracks are written by Ride.

No. Title Lead vocals Length 1. "Seagull" Gardener and Bell 6:10 2. "Kaleidoscope" Gardener with Bell 3:00 3. "In a Different Place" Gardener 5:30 4. "Polar Bear" Gardener 4:45 5. "Dreams Burn Down" Gardener 6:04 6. "Decay" (Mark Gardener) Gardener 3:35 7. "Paralysed" Bell 5:34 8. "Vapour Trail" Bell 4:18

CD bonus tracks No. Title Lead vocals Length 9. "Taste" (Mark Gardener) Gardener 3:17 10. "Here and Now" Bell 4:26 11. "Nowhere" (Loz Colbert) Bell 5:23

Reissue bonus tracks (Today Forever EP) No. Title Lyrics Lead vocals Length 12. "Unfamiliar" Gardener Gardener and Bell 5:03 13. "Sennen" Gardener and Bell 4:23 14. "Beneath" Gardener and Bell 4:06 15. "Today" Gardener and Bell 6:26

Bonus disc: Live at the Roxy, 10 April 1991 No. Title Lyrics Length 1. "Polar Bear" (Live) 5:01 2. "Seagull" (Live) 5:51 3. "Unfamiliar" (Live) Gardener 4:42 4. "Dreams Burn Down" (Live) 5:28 5. "Like a Daydream" (Live) 2:46 6. "Vapour Trail" (Live) 3:36 7. "In a Different Place" (Live) 5:30 8. "Perfect Time" (Live) Gardener 3:26 9. "Taste" (Live) Gardener 3:27 10. "Nowhere" (Live) Colbert 8:26 11. "Chelsea Girl" (Live) Gardener 4:34 12. "Drive Blind" (Live) 6:59

## Personnel

**Ride**

- [Mark Gardener](/source/Mark_Gardener)

- [Andy Bell](/source/Andy_Bell_(Welsh_musician))

- Steve Queralt

- [Loz Colbert](/source/Loz_Colbert)

**Technical**

- Marc Waterman – recording

- [Alan Moulder](/source/Alan_Moulder) – mixing at Swanyard Studios, London

- Nick Webb – remastering ([Abbey Road Studios](/source/Abbey_Road_Studios))

- [Joe Dilworth](/source/Joe_Dilworth) – band photography

- [Warren Bolster](/source/Warren_Bolster) – wave photography

## Charts

Chart (1990–1991) Peak position Australian Albums (ARIA)[28] 104 UK Albums (OCC)[29] 11

Chart (2022) Peak position Scottish Albums (OCC)[30] 12 UK Independent Albums (OCC)[31] 6

## Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales United Kingdom (BPI)[32] Silver 60,000^ ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-PM_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-PM_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-PM_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-PM_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-PM_1-4) Bevan, David (4 February 2011). ["Ride: Nowhere \[20th Anniversary Edition\]"](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15069-nowhere-20th-anniversary-edition/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. Retrieved 5 February 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AVC_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AVC_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-AVC_2-2) Ryan, Kyle (8 February 2011). ["Ride: Nowhere (two-disc 20th-anniversary reissue)"](https://www.avclub.com/ride-nowhere-two-disc-20th-anniversary-reissue-1798167172). *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)*. Retrieved 2 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["The Bandcamp Guide to Ride"](https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists/ride-album-list). *Bandcamp Daily*. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_4-2) ["The Genius Of... Nowhere by Ride"](https://guitar.com/reviews/the-genius-of-nowhere-by-ride/). *Guitar.com | All Things Guitar*. Retrieved 12 January 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["The 25 Best Albums of 1990"](https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-albums/best-albums-of-1990). *Paste Magazine*. Retrieved 15 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Pitchfork (24 October 2016). ["The 50 Best Shoegaze Albums of All Time"](https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9966-the-50-best-shoegaze-albums-of-all-time/). *Pitchfork*. Retrieved 8 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** *Nowhere* (liner notes). [Ride](/source/Ride_(band)). [Creation Records](/source/Creation_Records). 1990. CRELP074.{{[cite AV media notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_AV_media_notes)}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_others_in_cite_AV_media_(notes)))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Ride – Nowhere (CD, Album) at Discogs](http://www.discogs.com/Ride-Nowhere/release/496347)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Rhino_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Rhino_9-1) ["Nowhere: 20th Anniversary Edition"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101211095319/http://www.rhino.com/shop/product/ride-nowhere-20th-anniversary-edition). [Rhino Entertainment](/source/Rhino_Entertainment). Archived from [the original](http://www.rhino.com/shop/product/ride-nowhere-20th-anniversary-edition) on 11 December 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Breihan, Tom (11 November 2010). ["Ride's Nowhere Gets Double-Disc Reissue"](https://pitchfork.com/news/40656-rides-nowhere-gets-double-disc-reissue/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. Retrieved 4 December 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Gordon, Jeremy (17 September 2015). ["Ride Announce Nowhere 25th Anniversary Reissue"](https://pitchfork.com/news/61241-ride-announce-nowhere-25th-anniversary-reissue/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. Retrieved 8 April 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Britton, Luke Morgan (2 October 2015). ["Ride to perform debut album 'Nowhere' in full at 25th anniversary shows"](https://www.nme.com/news/music/various-artists-1185-1219860). *[NME](/source/NME)*. Retrieved 10 November 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AMG_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AMG_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-AMG_13-2) Kellman, Andy. ["Nowhere – Ride"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/nowhere-mw0000311372). [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic). Retrieved 4 December 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [Kot, Greg](/source/Greg_Kot) (10 January 1991). ["Ride: Nowhere (Sire)"](https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-01-10-9101030489-story.html). *[Chicago Tribune](/source/Chicago_Tribune)*. Retrieved 10 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Browne, David](/source/David_Browne_(journalist)) (25 January 1991). ["Nowhere"](https://ew.com/article/1991/01/25/nowhere-2/). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. Retrieved 10 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Harris, Sophie (January 2016). "Ride: Nowhere 25". *[Mojo](/source/Mojo_(magazine))*. No. 266. p. 104.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NME_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NME_17-1) Williams, Simon (13 October 1990). ["Joyriding High"](https://web.archive.org/web/20000817182905/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19980101001038reviews.html). *[NME](/source/NME)*. p. 38. Archived from [the original](http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19980101001038reviews.html) on 17 August 2000. Retrieved 10 November 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RM_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RM_18-1) Sharratt, Chris (20 October 1990). "Ride: Nowhere". *[Record Mirror](/source/Record_Mirror)*. p. 18.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Select_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Select_19-1) Perry, Andrew (November 1990). "Riders on the Snowstorm". *[Select](/source/Select_(magazine))*. No. 5. p. 110.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Richards, Sam (2 August 2012). ["Ride reissues"](https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/ride-reissues-2410/). *[Uncut](/source/Uncut_(magazine))*. Retrieved 10 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Ride *Nowhere* review"](https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/ride-nowhere-creation). [Melody Maker](/source/Melody_Maker) on [Rock's Backpages](/source/Rock's_Backpages). 6 October 1990. Retrieved 10 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Kreps, Daniel (19 November 2014). ["Shoegaze Band Ride Will Reunite After Beady Eye Breakup"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/shoegaze-band-ride-will-reunite-after-beady-eye-breakup-202503/). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. Retrieved 23 February 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Top 100 Albums of the 1990s"](https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/5923-top-100-albums-of-the-1990s/?page=3). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. 17 November 2003. p. 3. Retrieved 6 August 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["The 300 Best Albums of the Past 30 Years (1985–2014)"](https://www.spin.com/2015/05/the-300-best-albums-of-the-past-30-years-1985-2014/). *[Spin](/source/Spin_(magazine))*. 11 May 2015. p. 1. Retrieved 6 August 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Harris, Sophie (2006). "Ride: Nowhere". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). [*1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die*](/source/1001_Albums_You_Must_Hear_Before_You_Die). [Universe Publishing](/source/Universe_Publishing). p. 654. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7893-1371-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7893-1371-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["The Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s: 150–101"](https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/7850-the-top-200-tracks-of-the-1990s-150-101/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. 31 August 2010. p. 1. Retrieved 6 August 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Elan, Priya; Horton, Matthew; Hewitt, Ben (8 May 2012). ["100 Best Songs Of The 1990s"](https://www.nme.com/list/100-best-songs-of-the-1990s-1157). *[NME](/source/NME)*. Retrieved 24 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ARIA_28-0)** Ryan, Gavin (2011). *Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010* (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 234.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_UK2_29-0)** "[Official Albums Chart on 21/10/1990 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/19901021/7502/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved July 10, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_Scotland_30-0)** "[Official Scottish Albums Chart on 11/11/2022 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20221111/40/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved July 10, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_UKIndependent_31-0)** "[Official Independent Albums Chart on 11/11/2022 – Top 50](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20221111/131/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved July 10, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-United_KingdomRideNowherealbumCertRef_32-0)** ["British album certifications – Ride – Nowhere"](https://www.bpi.co.uk/page/certified-awards). [British Phonographic Industry](/source/British_Phonographic_Industry). *Select*albums*in the Formats field.* *Type*Nowhere Ride*in the "Search:" field.*

**Sources**

- ["The official Ride website"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111009025200/http://www.rideox4.net/). Archived from [the original](http://www.rideox4.net/) on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2005.

- ["Ticket To Ride – Oxford's finest band unofficial website"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120216200635/http://www.ticket2ride.it/index2.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.ticket2ride.it/index2.htm) on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.

## External links

- [*Nowhere*](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZuHZ7jcVwmcIUpickyjnYJB8IkvZzEv) at [YouTube](/source/YouTube) (streamed copy where licensed)

- [Lyrics](https://web.archive.org/web/20060511051938/http://www.ticket2ride.it/discog/nowhere.htm)

v t e Ride Andy Bell Loz Colbert Mark Gardener Steve Queralt Studio albums Nowhere Going Blank Again Carnival of Light Tarantula Weather Diaries This Is Not a Safe Place Interplay Compilations Smile OX4 The Best of Ride Live Reading Festival 1992 Waves: Radio 1 Sessions 90–94 Extended plays Ride Play Fall Today Forever Grasshopper Tomorrow's Shore Singles "Vapour Trail" "Leave Them All Behind" "Twisterella" "Black Nite Crash"

Authority control databases MusicBrainz release group

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nowhere (album)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowhere_(album)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowhere_(album)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.