Rise Against - Appeal To Reason
Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock
Rise Against is a band, which should never have joined a major label record company. The American alternative rock / punk rock band has only been going downhill in terms of good music after joining Geffen Records. The band consists of Tim McIlrath (lead-vocals, guitar), Zach Blair (guitar, vocals), Joe Principe (bass, vocals) and Brandon Barnes (drums).
Unfortunately, they've also gotten a huge a profit out of joining something bigger. After all, they were a band with potential a few years ago. Now they're just like your average Green Day -punk band. "We criticize, therefore we are cool." Nonetheless, they offer a fairly vast variety of punk songs and basic rock songs, which is quite respectable under any circumstances if you respect music, that is.
Siren Song Of The Counter Culture (2004) gave promises that the band wouldn't turn that poppy under a major record label but The Sufferer And The Witness (2006) let those hopes down. Appeal To Reason (2008) is their fifth studio album and I can't say the expectations were too high. The criticism is still effective but the music is quite soft compared to how they could sound. After all, easy music attracts the masses.
You can already tell by the lengths of the songs that there will be repetition inside and between various songs. Criticism in music should be done shortly and dynamically rather than repeating the chorus for multiple times. Though, it's inevitable that the anger and rebellions of youth will always eventually wear out. I never expected Rise Against to be an exception. I sincerely hope this album would appeal to the people who enjoyed the older Rise Against as well as the people who enjoy their newer stuff.
1. Collapse (Post-Amerika) - 3:19
The song name would promise a strong starter. You can already tell what they're going to sing about and as basic as the subject is, it still sounds as intriguing as always. "What if America fell?"
The introductory riff gives something for the ears and despite the average lyrics and progression of the song, it's actually quite enjoyable. The chorus is a bit too poppy for my tastes but it could be consumed with pleasure too. Unnecessary rebellion-feeling creating simultaneously shouted/sung parts and the rather poor guitar solos drop the points of the song towards the end.
8/10
2. Long Forgotten Sons - 4:01
Starts pretty much where the previous track ended, which creates a nice continuum feeling. Because apparently the first song was so fast, they needed to put a slower one here with vocals that are too clear to be the real Tim McIlrath. Basic song structure and a not-wanted length of over four minutes give a negative contribution for Long Forgotten Sons. If the long forgotten sons sound like this, I can definitely understand why they were forgotten in the first case.
5/10
3. Re-Education (Through Labor) - 3:43
The first single (pre-released actually) from this album, so this track is what everybody had to base their first opinion about this album on.
The beginning is rough enough to get my hopes pretty high. Sounds like Rise Against once again. But, no. Why the hell do they have to stuff the simultaneous vocals into everything, especially when only one of the vocals is actually singing. It's effective when it's not done in all of the first three songs of the album.
The guitar work of Re-Education and decent lyrics manage to partially save the third song of Appeal To Reason. The repetitiveness still hurts and I have yet to have raised my fist - the effect this music should have on everyone.
6.5/10
4. The Dirt Whispered - 3:09
Okay, a really basic punk/rock song. Barely any distortion in instruments and vocals, an ordinary song structure and basic lyrics. A solo would save this song, but cool, they managed to cut that out too. Instead, they went with the simultaneous vocals, Tim singing the lyrics and Joe singing 'ooooh-ooooooooh'.
Come on, Rise Against, cut the crap, please.
4/10
5. Kotov Syndrome - 3:04
A promising, strong beginning with powerful drums and nicely supporting guitars. The lyrics are actually quite decent and this is the first time on the whole album, where Rise Against sounds like Rise Against. The guitar solo is simple and doesn't distract the listener to a useless 80s hair rock solo hype.
By this track, you're almost immune to the simultaneous vocals: they still don't work but you have to get used to them because they are in every song.
These guys should realize that Tim's voice is something that shouldn't be supported with other vocals. Yet, Kotov Syndrome is a pleasant track on this album and I'm glad to hear that the band might still have a grip on something.
8.5/10
6. From Heads Unworthy - 3:42
Definitely not a track I could imagine from Rise Against because the song structure isn't as simple as it tends to be. Tim gets to use his vocals alone most of the time and the guitar support the song's backbone quite nicely. I really shouldn't be complimenting this track because it's quite poppy and that way, I'd be contradicting myself. I can't help it though, it's catchy and a decent song too, even though the lyrics are borderline bad.
8/10
7. The Strength To Go On - 3:27
'Welcome home!' is a nice way to start a song in my opinion. Makes you think about the definition of a home right from the beginning.
The track features pretty much all of the things you could expect in a mainstream punk/rock song. The problem is that they've done quite a few times already and it's starting to get boring. The song would be catchy by itself but when listening to a whole album, it just doesn't fit here. As a single, this is something workable, definitely.
7/10
8. Audience of One - 4:05
Way too 'rock' for Rise Against. Too slow, too wannabe atmospheric. They should've gone Roadside or Swing Life Away with this song.
If it were slower, it would work. If it were faster, it would also work. It's just stuck between and can't really be included in either group.
The title of the song is good, though. Sucks that the name was wasted on a track such as this. I didn't even listen this song all the way to the end.
5/10
9. Entertainment - 3:35
Interesting and attention-grasping beginning, which proceeds to fast beat and I'm enjoying myself again. The supporting vocals are actually well done in this song, because they are distant and seem to be so separate from the main vocals. The guitar riffs are simple but fast and powerful. Entertainment is entertaining, yes. After halfway of the song, it goes pretty progressive and it's quite surprising. Doesn't sound like Rise Against but sounds pretty damn good. Shouting also makes the song worthwhile.
8.5/10
10. Hero of War - 4:13
The slow, acoustic track of the album, which lacks the melancholy feeling that is much needed. The lyrics are quite sad, full of critique nonetheless. Not a song to which you could sleep to, neither is it powerful enough for anything else. Boring, done before with better success and could've been done better here.
5.5/10
11. Savior - 4:02
Is this the savior of this album? Definitely sounds like old Rise Against and has the feeling too. Simplified instruments when singing takes part and a fast rhythm move the song fast forward.
That' s when she said I don't hate you, boy.
I just want to save you while there's still something left to save.
That's when I told her I love you girl
but I'm not the answer for the questions that you still have.
with some woah-woah's in there as well.
A love song-of-sorts from Rise Against done with a style that should appeal to the listeners of the band, from any group of preference. The chorus is lyrically simple but catchy and the meaning is strong. This is the song that saved this album while there was still something to save. A very necessary track for this album - pretty much the only track to which I describe with the words 'above average'.
9/10
12. Hairline Fracture - 4:02
I was not expecting for Hairline Fracture to top Savior but it does a damn fine job in challenging it. The album has grown better towards the end. This is where an atmospheric song actually works - when you need to wrap up something.
We are wounded but we are healing.
That somehow sums up my feelings about this album as a whole. The song is nothing spectacular but shows a promise of decency. A bit too long, though, which brings down the feeling a bit by creating too much repetition.
8/10
13. Whereabouts Unknown - 4:03
Wraps up the whole album quite well as the last track. Introduces nothing new and uses all of the elements that were previously used in the other tracks on the album. I always expect something great from the last song of an album but Whereabouts Unknown doesn't fulfill my expectations.
Rise Against needs to step up and try something like their older production again.
6/10
Total:
6.85/10
Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock
Rise Against is a band, which should never have joined a major label record company. The American alternative rock / punk rock band has only been going downhill in terms of good music after joining Geffen Records. The band consists of Tim McIlrath (lead-vocals, guitar), Zach Blair (guitar, vocals), Joe Principe (bass, vocals) and Brandon Barnes (drums).
Unfortunately, they've also gotten a huge a profit out of joining something bigger. After all, they were a band with potential a few years ago. Now they're just like your average Green Day -punk band. "We criticize, therefore we are cool." Nonetheless, they offer a fairly vast variety of punk songs and basic rock songs, which is quite respectable under any circumstances if you respect music, that is.
Siren Song Of The Counter Culture (2004) gave promises that the band wouldn't turn that poppy under a major record label but The Sufferer And The Witness (2006) let those hopes down. Appeal To Reason (2008) is their fifth studio album and I can't say the expectations were too high. The criticism is still effective but the music is quite soft compared to how they could sound. After all, easy music attracts the masses.
You can already tell by the lengths of the songs that there will be repetition inside and between various songs. Criticism in music should be done shortly and dynamically rather than repeating the chorus for multiple times. Though, it's inevitable that the anger and rebellions of youth will always eventually wear out. I never expected Rise Against to be an exception. I sincerely hope this album would appeal to the people who enjoyed the older Rise Against as well as the people who enjoy their newer stuff.
1. Collapse (Post-Amerika) - 3:19
The song name would promise a strong starter. You can already tell what they're going to sing about and as basic as the subject is, it still sounds as intriguing as always. "What if America fell?"
The introductory riff gives something for the ears and despite the average lyrics and progression of the song, it's actually quite enjoyable. The chorus is a bit too poppy for my tastes but it could be consumed with pleasure too. Unnecessary rebellion-feeling creating simultaneously shouted/sung parts and the rather poor guitar solos drop the points of the song towards the end.
8/10
2. Long Forgotten Sons - 4:01
Starts pretty much where the previous track ended, which creates a nice continuum feeling. Because apparently the first song was so fast, they needed to put a slower one here with vocals that are too clear to be the real Tim McIlrath. Basic song structure and a not-wanted length of over four minutes give a negative contribution for Long Forgotten Sons. If the long forgotten sons sound like this, I can definitely understand why they were forgotten in the first case.
5/10
3. Re-Education (Through Labor) - 3:43
The first single (pre-released actually) from this album, so this track is what everybody had to base their first opinion about this album on.
The beginning is rough enough to get my hopes pretty high. Sounds like Rise Against once again. But, no. Why the hell do they have to stuff the simultaneous vocals into everything, especially when only one of the vocals is actually singing. It's effective when it's not done in all of the first three songs of the album.
The guitar work of Re-Education and decent lyrics manage to partially save the third song of Appeal To Reason. The repetitiveness still hurts and I have yet to have raised my fist - the effect this music should have on everyone.
6.5/10
4. The Dirt Whispered - 3:09
Okay, a really basic punk/rock song. Barely any distortion in instruments and vocals, an ordinary song structure and basic lyrics. A solo would save this song, but cool, they managed to cut that out too. Instead, they went with the simultaneous vocals, Tim singing the lyrics and Joe singing 'ooooh-ooooooooh'.
Come on, Rise Against, cut the crap, please.
4/10
5. Kotov Syndrome - 3:04
A promising, strong beginning with powerful drums and nicely supporting guitars. The lyrics are actually quite decent and this is the first time on the whole album, where Rise Against sounds like Rise Against. The guitar solo is simple and doesn't distract the listener to a useless 80s hair rock solo hype.
By this track, you're almost immune to the simultaneous vocals: they still don't work but you have to get used to them because they are in every song.
These guys should realize that Tim's voice is something that shouldn't be supported with other vocals. Yet, Kotov Syndrome is a pleasant track on this album and I'm glad to hear that the band might still have a grip on something.
8.5/10
6. From Heads Unworthy - 3:42
Definitely not a track I could imagine from Rise Against because the song structure isn't as simple as it tends to be. Tim gets to use his vocals alone most of the time and the guitar support the song's backbone quite nicely. I really shouldn't be complimenting this track because it's quite poppy and that way, I'd be contradicting myself. I can't help it though, it's catchy and a decent song too, even though the lyrics are borderline bad.
8/10
7. The Strength To Go On - 3:27
'Welcome home!' is a nice way to start a song in my opinion. Makes you think about the definition of a home right from the beginning.
The track features pretty much all of the things you could expect in a mainstream punk/rock song. The problem is that they've done quite a few times already and it's starting to get boring. The song would be catchy by itself but when listening to a whole album, it just doesn't fit here. As a single, this is something workable, definitely.
7/10
8. Audience of One - 4:05
Way too 'rock' for Rise Against. Too slow, too wannabe atmospheric. They should've gone Roadside or Swing Life Away with this song.
If it were slower, it would work. If it were faster, it would also work. It's just stuck between and can't really be included in either group.
The title of the song is good, though. Sucks that the name was wasted on a track such as this. I didn't even listen this song all the way to the end.
5/10
9. Entertainment - 3:35
Interesting and attention-grasping beginning, which proceeds to fast beat and I'm enjoying myself again. The supporting vocals are actually well done in this song, because they are distant and seem to be so separate from the main vocals. The guitar riffs are simple but fast and powerful. Entertainment is entertaining, yes. After halfway of the song, it goes pretty progressive and it's quite surprising. Doesn't sound like Rise Against but sounds pretty damn good. Shouting also makes the song worthwhile.
8.5/10
10. Hero of War - 4:13
The slow, acoustic track of the album, which lacks the melancholy feeling that is much needed. The lyrics are quite sad, full of critique nonetheless. Not a song to which you could sleep to, neither is it powerful enough for anything else. Boring, done before with better success and could've been done better here.
5.5/10
11. Savior - 4:02
Is this the savior of this album? Definitely sounds like old Rise Against and has the feeling too. Simplified instruments when singing takes part and a fast rhythm move the song fast forward.
That' s when she said I don't hate you, boy.
I just want to save you while there's still something left to save.
That's when I told her I love you girl
but I'm not the answer for the questions that you still have.
with some woah-woah's in there as well.
A love song-of-sorts from Rise Against done with a style that should appeal to the listeners of the band, from any group of preference. The chorus is lyrically simple but catchy and the meaning is strong. This is the song that saved this album while there was still something to save. A very necessary track for this album - pretty much the only track to which I describe with the words 'above average'.
9/10
12. Hairline Fracture - 4:02
I was not expecting for Hairline Fracture to top Savior but it does a damn fine job in challenging it. The album has grown better towards the end. This is where an atmospheric song actually works - when you need to wrap up something.
We are wounded but we are healing.
That somehow sums up my feelings about this album as a whole. The song is nothing spectacular but shows a promise of decency. A bit too long, though, which brings down the feeling a bit by creating too much repetition.
8/10
13. Whereabouts Unknown - 4:03
Wraps up the whole album quite well as the last track. Introduces nothing new and uses all of the elements that were previously used in the other tracks on the album. I always expect something great from the last song of an album but Whereabouts Unknown doesn't fulfill my expectations.
Rise Against needs to step up and try something like their older production again.
6/10
Total:
6.85/10
