Altsounds - Rifle Fire Rifle - “The Doppler Effect” [EP]

“The Doppler Effect” has a flawless intro, showing off a mix of musical ideas which have been successfully interwoven; proving Rifle Fire Rifle can clearly play their instruments well and create songs with beautiful precision - so what could go wrong? Unfortunately, the vocals. Phil Keogh sounds like he’s giving a heavier, out of tune impression of Biffy Clyro.

The musicianship on “The Doppler Effect” is fantastic - drumming is flawless throughout the entire EP - with great musical support on both guitar and bass which gives Rifle Fire Rifle more than just potential.
However, Keogh strains his voice in new single “The Doppler Effect” and seems to confuse emotional integrity with singing out of tune until his voice breaks. The song ascends brilliantly in parts - emoting you while you’re waiting for a climax - but then slows right down when the vocals kick in. It‘s a real disappointment and made me wonder if Keogh has trouble playing guitar and singing at the same time.
They say they sound like "An ambulance hitting a train hitting an ambulance hitting a train hitting an ambulance" but I think they sound like they need a new singer.

The sad thing is that the other songs on the “The Doppler Effect” EP - though not as musically impressive - sound much better vocally, which makes me query their choice in single. It may just be the questionable production of the EP causing problems, but after a brilliant build-up it just sounds like someone’s come along with massive shears and cut their bollocks off.

“Burn To Exile” is the EP highlight with a brilliant bass line, catchy chorus and fantastic lyrics kept to a minimum it gives the impression that Rifle Fire Rifle could be amazing live. “Burn To Exile” suits Keogh’s voice and would sit pretty in anyone’s record collection .

“Rio De Janeiro” has good and punchy guitar pieces, again hinting that Rifle Fire Rifle are a band to see live. Unfortunately “Rio De Janeiro” suffers the most from the EP’s poor production but if you listen through the mess, you can hear that Rifle Fire Rifle have a future in music, but this is severely masked over by the production.

Rifle Fire Rifle make music for fans of At The Drive In, and anyone who wishes Biffy Clyro were heavier. “The Doppler Effect” EP is sadly let down by bad production that takes away Rifle Fire Rifle’s musical precision. They seem to have misfired on this round, but with more time Rifle Fire Rifle may shoot to kill.