Great Escape

The Rifles’s sophomore effort is sure to confirm its originality

London based collective The Rifles may at first seems not too different from other young indie-bands. The standard line-up comprising a guitarist, bassist, rhythm guitarist and drummer, simple lyrics about relationships and life style do not really define them from the average. Nevertheless its debut 2006’s album No Love Lost has proved to be quite a successful work and this year the band releases its sophomore effort Great Escape. The musicians have demonstrated their abilities even more fully on this album. Besides, the guys have performed with Paul Weller of The Jam during the tour promoting the album. Perhaps this is the main reason why they are often compared to that very band but the creations of The Rifles are varied enough so these comparisons, although not without a base, do not fully characterize the Englishmen creative work. Stylish and very rich, Great Escape is easily the album to confirm The Rifles’ originality and attract more new fans to it.

Great Escape is a more mature and reserved creation that its predecessor

No doubt The Rifles’ new songs will sound best at the stadium for the powerful sounding of all the instruments without exception and the vocals feel simply too tight in headphones or dynamics. The album opens with a great composition Science Is Violence with a memorable tune and the title song The Great Escape conquers from the very first guitar chords and a bit more restrained drums. A contagious track Fool To Sorrow is refined with a sing along chorus while Sometimes proves to be an example of the guitarist’s splendid playing and philosophic lyrics. The second half of the record turns out to be somewhat more refined and starts with History, on which there is a more complicated verses and chorus contrast, a brighter melody and guitars worth praise. The certain highlights are compositions Out In The Past, a mid-tempo, a bit sad ode to the past, and simultaneously romantic and danceable Romeo And Julie, telling quite a joyful love story. No less impressive is track The General with amazing guitar hooks and melodious fiddles, and the closer For The Meantime is another song full of reminiscences and dreams. On the whole, Great Escape is a more mature and reserved creation that its predecessor and will be appreciated by all the listeners fond of classic rock.

A leap forward and more than a worthy continuation of the career

Critics and evil tongues can state as much as they want that The Rifles just copy practically all the existing indie-bands and are nothing out of the ordinary. They are right to some extent, as there still are some similarities; however the same may be said about many other similar bands that have achieved more success as well. What is really good about these guys is that they just sincerely and unpretentiously play their music without trying to surprise anybody with it. The Great Escape album will not be a fresh breath of air in indie-rock and will not become a sensation but you will not be bored at their concert for sure. In spite of being standard they have turned out to be quite an interesting collective that deserves attention. We can be quite positive that The Rifles itself is content enough with its new album as Great Escape is a leap forward and more than a worthy continuation of its career to say the least of it.