Customer Reviews

Great Escape

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Rifles are from the UK (no rocket science degree needed there, you can tell right away from their accents; "Winter calls" becomes "Winter cools"). I think it was rather daring of them to name their album "The great escape" knowing full well fellow Brits Blur had a smash album with that title.

Musically, they fall into the Kaiser Chiefs or The Jam bracket, and I find lead singer Joel Stoker vocals reminds me of the Arctic Monkey's Alex Turner's somewhat.

The music? Incredibly catchy mostly raucous sing-alongs. The afore mentioned "Winter calls" is a bouncy clap-filled song. Just as bouncy and sunny is "Romeo & Julie" (think "Walking on sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves). Opening cut "Science is violence", the title track "The great escape" (with its booming beats and chiming guitars), and "Fool to sorrow" (with its "Whoo Oh Oh"s) are Kaiser Chiefs-style rockers.

The beautiful "The general" has a minute long intro and a great sing-along chorus. "Out in the past" has a nice chiming minute-long intro. The albums lone ballad comes at the end, the stripped "For the meantime" (which reminds me at its start of Björk's "It's oh so quiet") with just guitar and sweeping strings. My favourite song though is "History", incredibly addictive and sounding like something by fellow Brits Hard-Fi. You'll be singing along to this for ages!

Their sound may not be groundbreaking or original, but it is well done. At 11 tracks clocking in just under 40 minutes, the songs fly past pretty fast. If you (like me) love British Rock, this should be right up your alley.

Thought i might like this based on some recommendations. Can't say it does anything for me. The songs are ok, but pretty formulaic with your basic clicheéd choruses. Kind of like The Jam lite.

Never heard of The Rifles.I thought they sounded a little like Right Turn Left and listening to them more the guitars sound alot like The Smiths.Very catchy tunes.I like the album very much.

Great 2004 band that hasn't made it big in the U.S.- YET! If you love 80's music like The Jam and The Clash, you'll love The Rifles.

With "Great Escape", the Rifles prove that "No Love Lost" was no fluke. They stake out their claim on our attentions with clever songwriting and solid performances. The themes are grounded in the insecurities of youth in a world beyond control, yet full of a verve for life and tempered with self-deprecating humor. The tag line of the title song, "Waiting for the day you're not looking for something else", sets the tone well. There are songs for for every mood from the wistfully romantic "Winter Calls" to the rousing topicality of "The General". The Rifles are the real thing. "Great Escape" is a feast of freshness.

I have listened to a lot of British music since the Libertines first came out. A few have really stood out and the Rifles are definitely at the top of the list. Their second album is as good as the first, which was truly enjoyable. Rolling Stone may have given them 3 and a half stars for this album (which is high praise for them) but this is an incredible album from start to finish and deserves even more stars. Several Brit groups had disappointing 2nd albums (like the Kooks) but there was no sophomore slump here.

This is brit rock at it's finest. Beautiful lyrics, great hooks, building melodies, this record has it all!
Everyday life, depicted in a Jam esque fashion. Not one weak tune. I am not easily impressed, but I start most mornings uplifted by these songs.

I saw the Rifles play live in Amsterdam and fell in love. They are a great band and worth checking out.