On January 20th 2014 The Rifles return with their fourth studio album ‘None the Wiser’, released via Cooking Vinyl. ‘None The Wiser’ finds the four-piece on fine form, and marks yet another raising of the bar, with brilliantly-crafted classic rock, plus an added dose of folk, Americana, a strong pop sensibility and highly-deft songwriting skills. Their trademark Mod sound, rock and roll and timeless indie pop are all present and correct, but the band have also broadened their musical palette, drawing influence from, in their own words, “Bob Dylan, Talking Heads, some Clash and as always - the Beatles.”
The subtly psychedelic opening track ‘You Win Some’ is the band’s own uplifting British take on West Coast folk rock. ‘Minute Mile’ runs rabid, building to a crescendo of raucous guitars and pounding percussion, that leads into the super-charged rock ‘n’ roll of ‘Heebie Geebies’, whilst ‘Go Lucky’ nods towards their fondness for The Jam. ‘All I Need’ and ‘The Hardest Place To’ are filled with luscious harmonies - in contrast the boisterous thumper ‘My Lullaby’. The more melancholy ‘Motorway’ doffs it’s cap discreetly to US grunge, ‘Turtle Dove’ has a 60s summery jangle and the topsy-turvy ‘Under and Over’ captures the bands ebullient spirit and will no doubt fast become a firm live anthem at the band’s notoriously rowdy gigs.
With consistently respectable chart entries and a huge, loyal fanbase (that to this day sees the band selling out venues like London’s’ Forum), combined with genuine songwriting talent and unwavering creativity, The Rifles have long outlived many of their original peers. Packing a ferocious punch since 2006 with their debut album ‘No Love Lost’, the unyielding Rifles have picking up high profile fans in musical heroes Paul Weller and Oasis. The band released their second album ‘Great Escape’ in 2009 and third longplayer ‘Freedom Run’ in 2011, which was met with widespread critical acclaim.
‘None The Wiser’ was produced by Dave McCracken (Ian Brown), plus Jamie Ellis and Chris Reece at Paul Weller’s Black Barn Studios. It was mixed by Steve Harris (Miles Kane) and Mike Crossey (Jake Bugg/1975). The album was recorded by the newly reformed original line up of Joel Stoker (vocals, guitar), Lucas Crowther (guitar, vocals), Robert Pyne (drums) and Grant Marsh (bass), who will also be touring throughout November. Tickets available at www.therifles.net.
Source: Press Release
