Luna Marble: The Ride
Self Released
DL/Streaming
Luna Marble are back already with their third single in quick succession, providing another taster for the forthcoming album. But if you’ve been unlucky enough to miss them until now, this is a great introduction to one of Manchester’s finest.
Some of Luna Marble’s songs could be described as epic – great slabs of potential stadium-filling classic rock to satisfy all those of a headbanging or hippyish persuasion, not to mention anyone with an appreciation of vocal fireworks and instrumental prowess. While no less impressive, The Ride is more an exhilarating sprint than a satisfying ramble, just over two minutes of funky fun. In typical Luna Marble style, things start off sedately enough with a bass-led intro (strangely reminiscent of Poison’s Unskinny Bop), soon joined by Dragos’ signature riffage, before Maria chimes in with her always impressive vocals. The addition of keys adds depth to the sound as the band keeps the listener engaged, adding layer upon layer along the way.
When Maria sings; ‘I’m taking my time, so open your eyes, ’cause everyone knows it’s the ride of their lives’, she means it quite literally. The band explain that The Ride refers to; ‘…the fluid and ever changing nature of life…to be alive often feels like we are being taken on this ride that is always changing, always new, scary but beautiful.’ In case this sounds a bit heavy, they also quite rightly describe the track as ‘fun and dancey’. A memorable interlude follows the initial salvo with Maria scatting along to Dragos’ guitar work, her voice effectively an additional instrument in its own right, before things come to a close all too soon with a soaring climax.
The Ride is a favourite of Luna Marble’s spectacular live shows, but the band have succeeded in capturing its spirit and energy to produce another fine record. In many ways, this track encapsulates everything which is good about a band which takes its craft very seriously but still knows how to have fun, always accomplished but rarely over-indulgent. And while we anticipate the release of the album, it’s exciting to think that, in the grand scheme of things, these guys are only just getting started.
Luna Marble’s LinkTree is here
All words by Robin Boardman. More writing from Robin for Louder Than War can be found at his author’s archive.
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