The Rumperts “Escapism” Review

The Rumperts
Escapism
SBAM Records
Released: August 13, 2021

Austria’s The Rumperts are about to drop a killer debut album, Escapism, through SBAM and the punk rock world needs to take note!

Consisting of two sisters, their childhood friend, and their newfound pal, The Rumperts deliver a debut album that comes across as that of a seasoned band, midway through their career. If this is the beginning, then their potential is ridiculously monstrous. With each listening, I found it harder and harder to believe this was a debut record. The Rumperts have an amazing energy about them, something that is very much missing in modern day punk rock.

When you start off your record with such a rollicking bit of guitar noodling the way Volcano Of Hell kicks off, hopes for the remaining twenty-seven minutes are high. Thankfully, The Rumperts deliver all the way through Escapism. As it happens, Volcano Of Hell is a great way to kick of Escapism. It has all the elements the rest of the record is about to put on display. Hooks, giant riffs, slapping, popping bass lines, raucous drum beats and lyrics that were crafted to be sung along to, at risk of wrecking vocals chords and sure loss of voice.

See Also: Chuck Robertson And Friends “All Out Of Dreams” Review

On Fill The Cup, the lyrics strike way too close to home, for me, as they will for many. The song deals with the suffering that comes after losing a friend or family member to suicide. Something that happens far more frequently that it should. It is tragic, when a person sees no other way out than to end their own lives, and from experience, the feeling it leaves to those that survive it, is gut-wrenching. Always left to wonder if there was something that could have been done to prevent it. Guilt. Remorse. Mostly a deep seeded sense of sadness. So, Fill The Cup hits home. Hard. Musically, it is a great song and another that demands everybody sing along.

With Hangman, the resemblance to early Good Riddance records is fierce, in fact I had an overwhelming desire to listen to Ballads From The Revolution after a few spins of Escapism. The song structure and composition walks a similar path. On Fool, is an energetic semi-romantic track, while Opioid Boogie shows a more high-strung and fast-paced approach. In all, Escapism shows a nice amount of variety while staying close to their focal point.

The records final cut, Some Kind Of Hope, features a guest appearance from Jesse Sendejas of Days N Daze, and as always, Sendejas delivers the goods. It’s an acoustic jam not unlike something that could have been found on the most recent Days N Daze record, Show Me The Blueprints. The sort of punk rock song friends would jam to on their acoustic guitars, sitting around a camp fire. It’s a nice way to end off a rather energetic album; the calm after the storm.

The Rumperts have vocals that sometimes channel Lars Frederiksen, more for the way he sings with his projects not named Rancid. More along the lines of Old Firm Casuals or Lars Frederiksen And The Bastards – gritty, streetwise professor styled snarling anthems. With that said, musically, there is a lot here on Escapism that Rancid fans would dig, too. Rhythms and song structures, popping bass lines and the overall feeling that those early Rancid records had.

Punk rock is definitely in decline, but with bands like The Rumperts, there is still hope. It is refreshing as a dip in a freezing cold lake, to hear a band that calls themselves a punk band, actually playing punk rock! Do yourself a favor, and head over to the SBAM Records website and score yourselves a copy of this great new record. You can thank me later. I predict The Rumperts are primed to explode and make themselves a known commodity within the punk rock realm.

For Fans Of: Hardcore Superstar, Days N’ Daze, Lars Frederiksen And The Bastards
Track Listing:

01. Volcano Of Hell
02. Opioid Boogie
03. Fill The Cup
04. Girlfriend
05. Great Balls Of Fire
06. Hangman
07. Fool
08. Escapism
09. Some Kind Of Hope

Author Rating

  • overall
    8.2
  • composition
    8.3
  • enjoyment
    8.4
  • production
    8.1
  • variety
    7.9
  • memorability
    8.2
Pros & Cons
  • Great lyrics
  • High energy, fun songs
  • None really
Contributors