Rise Against - Appeal to Reason Review
Posted by Matt Shoemaker on 10.13.2008
The Chicago punk rockers return with their best work to date.
The History
Rise Against was formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1999, after the breakup of 88 Fingers Louie. The band signed with Fat Wreck Chords in 2001, releasing their first two albums, The Unraveling and Revolutions Per Minute through the label. In August 2004, the band switched labels to Dreamwords Records, which was then moved around after a few business deals, and the band wound up on Geffen Records, under which they released Siren Song of the Counter Culture in 2004. The band played a large amount of festivals in support of their album, including the first incarnation of the Taste of Chaos tour, along with bands like The Used and Killswitch Engage. The band released their last album, The Sufferer and the Witness on July 4, 2006.
The Band
Vocals: Tim McIlrath (also performs on guitar)
Guitar: Zach Blair (also provides backing vocals)
Bass: Joe Principe (also provides backing vocals)
Drums: Brandon Barnes
The Album
Track Listing
1. "Collapse (Post-Amerika)" - 3:19
2. "Long Forgotten Sons" - 4:01
3. "Re-Education (Through Labor)" - 3:43
4. "The Dirt Whispered" - 3:09
5. "Kotov Syndrome" - 3:04
6. "From Heads Unworthy" - 3:42
7. "The Strength to Go On" - 3:27
8. "Audience of One" - 4:05
9. "Entertainment" - 3:35
10. "Hero of War" - 4:13
11. "Savior" - 4:02
12. "Hairline Fracture" (with Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio) - 4:02
13. "Whereabouts Unknown" - 4:03
iTunes Bonus Tracks
1. "Elective Amnesia" - 3:57
2. "Prayer of the Refugee" (Live) - 4:12
I posted a review of The Sufferer and the Witness back when it came out, saying it was Rise Against’s best material. Well, again, they’ve outdone themselves. I haven’t stopped listening to this album since I picked it up. Every song is infectious, catchy, and thought provoking. McIlrath and crew have seriously outdone themselves this time around.
Opening with “Collapse (Post Amerika)”, a blistering powerhouse of a track, and never relenting until “Hero of War”, then picking back up for the final two tracks, this album is easily summed up with a pretty simple statement: kick ass. This is definitely the band’s most powerful album, both musically and thematically, evoking the sounds of Siren Song of the Counter Culture.
Musically, the band picked up their traditional punk sound that almost seemed pushed to the background on The Sufferer and the Witness. There are a lot of fast paced, aggressive songs on here, with the band’s signature social and politically charged lyrics. However, for every song that’s fast and fun, there’s a heavy, motivated song.
That’s not to say that the slower songs are bad. In fact, the balance of speed makes this album so good. Appeal to Reason isn’t a half hour album, full of the typical circle pit punk, but it’s also not drawn out to force a message. Everything is balanced perfectly so that the message of each song is sent perfectly, without drawing anything out or forcing anything too fast.
Going back to “Collapse”, the song shows perfectly how the band views the current world, and all the problems with it. “That’s how we’ll know/This is not a test, oh no/This is cardiac arrest/Of a world too proud to admit our mistakes/We're crashing into the ground as all fall from grace”. The music simply helps to emphasize their points, not split the music and motives.
“Hero of War” is the album’s “Swing Life Away” or “Roadside”. The song tells the story of a boy who goes to war, becomes a hero, and loses it all at the end. The song is very moving, utilizing only acoustic guitar until the end of the song, where a light snare drum comes in. Perhaps inspired by a personal experience, this song seems like the story was lived by McIlrath, which definitely affects the song in a positive light.
The 411: This album is simply amazing. This has it all. Powerful music, perfect sing-a-long vocals, and thought provoking messages. One of the best albums of the year.
Overall, I thought this was just a little tiny bit behind their last two albums, but it actually has 2 of my favorite songs from them, though. Entertainment and Savior are Rise Against at their absolute, perfect, very best with great guitar, great mix or screaming and singing, and even when the guitar's aren't going full blast, it never feels like the pace of the songs get any slower. I can't stop listening to those two. Oh how I'd kill for Savior on Rock Band for the "Whoa" parts on vocals.
Posted By: All Around Wrestling Fan (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 03:33 AM
due to financial limitations i havnt been able to pick this one up yet. your review has made my wait until payday all the more excruciating. thanks for that.
Posted By: hellboysetsfire (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Well this was their worst album since Revolutions Per Minute but that's still better than every other release since then. These guys are the real deal and are the best thing in music right now. I have been a fan since Revolutions Per Minute so my expectations have been high for every album and all have pleased me, but this one has mostly good songs but some tend to get boring (Audience of One, From Heads Unworthy)Actually thinking about it, two alright songs isn't too bad on a 13 song album. I might give this a 9.5 and their last two tens, but that's because I am a Rise Against diehard. Album of the year in my opinion.
Posted By: Thex (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 05:32 PM
I picked up this CD the day it came out, and I have slightly mixed opinions on it. I got into Rise Against with Revolutions Per Minute back in 2002...and really, the style of music has changed so drastically that it is really difficult to compare the two. In my eyes, from a punk fan, RPM is the single best CD I have ever owned, from start to finish. Maybe only challenged by ...And Out Come The Wolves by Rancid.
I feel this CD is significantly slower, and focuses heavily on the "melodic" side of melodic hardcore. It lacks any of the really adrenaline pumping scream alongs that I really enjoyed.
On the other side, this is by far Rise Against's best CD musically, as the lyrics are absolutely brilliant, and coming from a band who I hold in high regards for lyrics anyways, that is saying something. We have a CD full of almost all mid tempo songs, some more punk influenced than others. Yet they are all catchy, and still rather enjoyable. Even the low spots on the CD for me, Re-Education, Audience of One, and the final two tracks, aren't bad songs and I won't skip them.
I'm just a bit jaded because I keep wanting another release like Revolutions Per Minute, and have issues accepting the band has changed from that musically. I give it between a 7 and an 8, but still certainly recommend it. Its nice to hear songs that have a message once in awhile!
Posted By: RuinerEX (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 08:36 PM
maybe its gotta grow on me, but i'd say its weaker than RPM and sufferer and the witness, but its still a really good album
Posted By: robb (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 11:04 PM
dont get me wrong i have had this album on repeat since i got it
but to say its the best work to date is absurd. its possibly there weakest album, but still is amazing. IMO siren song of counter culture (my personal fav.), revolutions per minute and the sufferer and the witness are alot better than appeal to reason
Posted By: tdc (Guest) on October 14, 2008 at 12:47 PM
I support that this album is RA's best work to date and like so many others, I applaud McIlrath's lyrics and the entire band's compositions. They continue to accomplish what nearly every punk band fails to do: evolve.
With "Appeal to Reason," RA has built off of all four of their previous works and the result is good. I agree with the general consensus that of the 13+ tracks, at least 10 of them are solid works that pull the listeners in, captivate them with unique riffs and chilling lyrics, and have them fist pumping by the outro. Those few that fall short are still decent songs, but just lack the full RA touch.
In my opinion, some stand-outs include Collapse (Post-Amerika), Long Forgotten Sons and From Heads Unworthy for their raw and chilling lyrics and classic punk riffs. Entertainment falls into this category as well, although its subject matter is slightly separate.
The Dirt Whispered, Kotov Syndrome and Savior are a refreshing taste of some other emotions that the members of RA must also experience, reflected in the dips into more up-tempo genres.
To sum up, excellent album. 9.5 out of 10, and it must be noted that I don't understand how any album can get a 10 out of 10.
Posted By: Someone who's paying attention (Guest) on October 15, 2008 at 05:52 PM
If I could build a Rise Against CD it would look like this.
1. Black Masks and Gasoline
2. State of the Union
3. Life Less Frightening
4. Heaven Knows
5. Blood to Bleed
6. Dancing for Rain
7. Prayer of the Refugee
8. Amber Changing
9. Entertainment
10.Anywhere But Here
11.Everchanging (Acoustic)
12.Whereabouts Unknown
13.Like the Angel
Posted By: Brandon (Guest) on November 02, 2008 at 05:29 AM
You need to add "paper wings" and your all set...
Posted By: lon (Guest) on November 06, 2008 at 03:40 PM
