The National Rifle “Vanity Press” Release Party

It is with great embarrassment that I admit that I have totally been sleeping on Philly’s The National Rifle. For months I have been hearing many murmurs about the ecstatic energy this band draws on to deliver their memorable sets but scheduling didn’t allow for me to catch their live set. that all changed last week when I took a break from shifting apartments to go to TNR’s EP Release Party at Kungfu Necktie. I guess it isn’t fair to call TNR a Philly band when – after years of touring- they’ve managed to amass quite the national following but, it was Philly that showed up in droves to their sold out gig. In turn the foursome put on a show to make their fans proud.

In their earlier work TNR drew a lot from the crowd, writing songs with chantable lyrics and undeniably hip shaking rhythms; and it worked. They are widely known for being the band that starts the party and keeps it going until the last note dies off. However as the group has matured as a band and individuals so to has their sound – which is only appropriate considering they’ve been playing together in various permutations for years- and their newest CD Vanity Press demonstrates the evolution of their sound wonderfully. They haven’t totally abandoned the impossibly catchy tunes they’ve just refined them a little more expanding lyrically and deepening musically. It is a good step towards a much anticipated LP (which is a goal sadly still sitting pretty far out on the horizon).

Photo Courtesy of 215 Magazine

Their set at Kungfu Necktie shared the same relevance as the EP. You could see why they had sold out the night, this is a group devoted to the art of the live show. They’re fun, they put absolutely everything out there and feed off the energy the crowd serves back. The whole room rang with shouted choruses as they worked their way through their standards and people let their hip show their approval of the new material. I had a particular soft spot for the deft percussion and measured chaos of “In The Weeds.” Lead singer Hugh really pushes the edges of his vocals to give the lyrical heft the song demands and drummer Buddy adds some crazy shine to the piece, making it one of their most engaging.

The evolution of their music was apparent on songs like “Jazz History Of The World” which transpired like the smart, character driven indie pop song that it is. Keyboardist Linnea was particularly in her groove on this piece as she gave support to Hugh’s lead vocals. As their set came to a close the whirrs and clicks of their arrangements fit better and better. The National Rifle is building a collection of material dedicated to their crowd loving sets but suggestive of greater musical potential. They’re on the road now and once you pick up your copy of Vanity Press I suggest you find out when they’ll be in a town near you so you get the full TNR effect.

[MP3] In The Weeds