The National Rifle - Vanity Press

The National Rifle - Vanity Press
2010, The National Rifle

The National Rifle drops their fourth EP in four years on August 31, 2010. Vanity Press shows the same manic pursuit of musical growth that has come to characterize The National Rifle's previous releases. With songwriting born of the boredom of the daily grind of an office job, The National Rifle take out their work-a-day frustrations in instruments and voice on five dynamic rock songs that don't stand still stylistically, sometimes even within the frame of a given song.

Vanity Press opens with "In The Weeds", an incredibly catchy concoction of garage, alternative and roots rock that pushes a relentless stream of sounds at you in accordance with vocalist Hugh's vocal line. The National Rife seems to adopt a hybrid jazz form that serves as the basis of some prog rock construction in the process, sewing pieces together in a fashion that makes more sense as a complete song than it may in the moment. "She's A Waste" mixes the frenetic energy of early Police recordings and the southwest alt-rock of The Refreshments. It's a catchy but restless tune that suffers at times for its introspective turns but quickly recovers. "Jazz History Of The World" seems to take on the universal angst of a generation staring a declining standard of living in the face, complete with a neat Tears For Fears breakdown in the middle. "Same Sh!t Different Desk" takes on a much harder rock sound delivered in a driven acoustic arrangement; a highly entertaining tune that dances on the edge of madness while inspiring dancing and singing along. Vanity Press closes with "Too Much T.V.", a messy but enjoyable song that is vaguely reminiscent of the sound of Rusted Root (without quite so many drums).

The National Rifle makes music for all the right reasons, and there is a simple joy that shines through even the occasional indications of angst on Vanity Press. The National Rifle would build a street corner in the middle of a desert if it would give them a place to play. Their sound isn't the sort to exact much excitement from commercial radio, but this sort of energy, attitude and enjoyment of the artist is infectious. Vanity Press is very much worth your time and attention, and if The National Rifle gets anywhere within an hour's drive of you, make the trip.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about The National Rifle at http://www.thenationalrifle.com/ or www.myspace.com/thenationalrifle.  Vanity Press drops August 31, 2010.  You can pre-order the CD directly from The National Rifle or you can pre-order the Download from Amazon.com.

Review: Spy For Hire - Speak In Numbers

Spy For Hire - Speak In Numbers
2009, Architek One

Columbus, Georgia’s Spy For Hire creates a highly polished and melodic sound on Speak In Numbers. Fans of 1980's pop icons Hall & Oates will dig their brand of Rock N Soul done up for a new generation. Speak In Numbers opens with As Good As New with smooth vocals, great harmonies and a tight-as-anything arrangement. Lead vocalist Ryan Rulon is a crooner on Luck as a salve to the driving rock beat and on-the-edge-of-jangly guitars. The Moontower puts of a 1970's AM Radio feel with some modern rock drive and an eminently memorable chorus. The Line grows from an interesting guitar line into an Adult Contemporary/AAA thought provoker, all with that highly smooth and melodic sheen that covers everything Spy For Hire touches. There's Your Mistake has a distinctive Tears For Fears vibe. Other highlights include Friends And Neighbors, Motorcycle and First Weeks On The Island.

Spy For Hire puts forth an incredibly polished and consistent performance on Speak In Numbers. if anything, the album is perhaps a bit too polished. There are clear signs of a more Rock N Roll tendency to the band that they've been greatly glossed over with production values. Speak In Numbers is a strong release with solid songwriting, great vocals/harmonies and is a pleasant listen, but could use a little more dynamic variation here and there. Great 1980's pop with a modern edge.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Spy For Hire at http://www.spyforhire.net/ or www.myspace.com/spyforhire. Speak In Numbers is currently only available in the Atlanta area and at shows, but if you contact the band through their MySpace page I’m sure they’ll work something out.