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" - 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.

Final Score:  9.0   [  Amazing ]