Album Review: The Rifles – None The Wiser
None The Wiser
Released January 20th 2014
And The Rifles are back, again, though this time with their original line up and another great album that really re-affirms that they are quite an understated band in a sea of yawnfests that seem to do better than these guys. Perhaps None The Wiser will finally see The Rifles back where they should be and with their upcoming show at the Shepherds Bush Empire and them currently sitting top of the Amazon vinyl sales chart I think it’s all going the right way.
You could be forgiven for thinking you had put on an album by The Cribs when the first bar of opening track Minute Mile starts up but you soon know who you’re listing to when the vocals kick in. Catch Her In The Rye is another one that from the start you might think is The Cribs, the overall style is very similar but the vocals and vocal melody are defiantly The Rifles. You can also really feel the mod vibe running through this. I challenge you not to do the mod nod at least once when you hear this. It might not just be The Cribs that you hear but perhaps a touch of the Arctic Monkeys(who of course draw upon many other bands themselves)? Shoot From The Lip has a title, a riff and a production quality on the vocal that at times you could just imagine Alex Tuner singing this, of late anyway. For many listens I hated the way it ended but now I’m kind of getting used to it and it pains me less and less.
It’s totally undeniable that second track up, Heebie Jeebies, is The Rifles at their upbeat full on fast paced best and leaves every track on Freedom Run in the dust. This will be sure to be one of the bands new live staples forever more. I can almost smell the crowd’s sweat when I listen to this. There is nothing I dislike about this, it’s cleverly constructed, lyrically arresting and just spews rock n roll mod fun out all over the place.
The Rifles live, be it full band or even an acoustic set, always bring out the crazy in their fans and this album has plenty that will continue to ignite that passion. There are also softer moments that harp back to some of those beautiful tracks on their last album. These tracks give depth to the album and show that this is a band that isn’t all just about getting their fans in a tiz. There is a cracking use of piano and harmonica on Eclectic Eccentric that gives it a fluttering lift. I can hear radio hit all over this if it’s given a single edit. The chorus is catchy as heck and I can’t get enough of this one. While it’s not as fast paced or energetic as Heebie Jeebies, it still pushes on through at a good ol pace and it’s kind of hard to concentrate on doing anything when it’s on and I just have to dance!
You Win Some is the perfect title for this almost Beatles-esque track. For ages it was my least favourite track on the album but after many listens it’s slowly creeping into my subconscious and I noticed that it was not a bad thing at all. The percussion on this track feels altogether different to anything I recall them having done before and it gives the track a warm depth that feels sort of comforting.
Overall this album has been a pleasure to listen to, it reminds me of some of the best of Oasis and indeed some of it is better than them (I have said this before). None the Wiser has a nod to all of the bands influences and, rightly, unashamedly so. There is much to delve into here but none of it takes too much effort. The Rifles will appeal to more and more people with this album I think. Those who wanted them to get back to the more Rock N Roll/Mod side of things, those who want something a tad different from them and those who fell in love with their softer side. All in all a great way to start their year.
poppedmusic 