Guitars, Drums, Tones, and Saxophones

Rise Against - Appeal to Reason

I think that, at this point, we all know Rise Against. They’re the mainstream’s new face for politically-charged punk rock (as opposed to, criminally, Propagandhi. Maybe if they’d put out a goddamned album that would change). They show up on MTV, and somehow headline a tour with fellow Chicagoans the Alkaline Trio opening. Not to say they don’t deserve the success; their albums have been solid, and catchy as all hell, giving us plenty of shout-along choruses to “whoa-oh!” with, and furious riffs to slam around in the pit with.

And so, in 2008, they have returned with the follow up to 2006′s The Sufferer and the Witness. This is their third major label release. They’ve managed to avoid too many “serious” accusations of being sell-outs (which, at this point, is like come on now). So how is it?

Well, to start, it’s pretty familiar territory for the band; musically, they haven’t made many changes from the last album. If you enjoyed that album, (or if you enjoyed their contribution to Guitar Hero 3, “Prayer of the Refugee” from that album) you’ll dive into this and feel pretty decent about it. Singer Tim McIlrath is in fine form, his soaring voice carrying the rousing choruses over the the guitars, which do feel a bit slower this time around. Less of the Black Flag/Descendents/Minor Threat influence they’ve exhibited in the past, more of an alt-rock feel on certain tracks. Perhaps most notably on lead single “Re-Education (Through Labor).”

As an aside: Speaking of the single, if you’re able to find it on 7″ vinyl, the b-side is a live cover of “Minor Threat” by (duh) Minor Threat. And it’s pretty awesome. They definitely do the song justice, and I love me some Minor Threat.

I guess my criticism of the album is that while it is solid, it’s not entirely memorable. The slower songs, by no means unusual for the band (and by slower I mean mid-tempo), just don’t have the staying power that some of the other albums’ mid-tempo numbers have. But there are some great tunes on here too; opener “Collapse (Post-Amerika)” is really excellent, and a blast to see live. But the unevenness makes this merely a decent release; if you’re a fan, it works, but this is not the album to start with.

Rating: 3 stars

Tags: rise against