Rise Against - Appeal to Reason
Rating
RIYL
Strike AnywhereBoy Sets Fire
Finch
Release Date
10/07/2008
Label
InterscopeTracklist
1. Collapse (Post-Amerika)2. Long Forgotten Sons
3. Re-Education (Through Labor)
4. Dirt Whispered
5. Kotov Syndrome
6. From Heads Unworthy
7. Strength to Go On
8. Audience of One
9. Entertainment
10. Hero of War
11. Savior
12. Hairline Fracture
13. Whereabouts Unknown
Users Rating |
Your RatingCreate an account or log in to rate this album |
Recent Ratings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vanilla ice cream is very tasty, however it is hard to deny its conventionality. Since the release of their second Fat Wreck Chords offering, Revolutions Per Minute, Rise Against has been teetering in a precarious position somewhere between sounding like a tepid radio rock act and a youthful politically charged firebrand. Well, if what they were previously doing was teetering close to the edge, consider the writing process of their latest album, Appeal To Reason, and its subsequent release to be the proverbial “game of chicken” that finally caused Rise Against to dramatically beef it over the cliff. While sonically pleasing at times, Appeal To Reason is largely an unenthusiastic “vanilla” sounding record that will probably only manage to stir up the fanbase, like so many boring campaign speeches.
We’ve seen transformations of this nature occur dozens if not hundreds of times as bands get older and, quite frankly, Rise Against’s lack of vigor on Appeal To Reason comes as no surprise. Make no mistake about it, many of the songs on this album are catchy as Rise Against’s ability to construct enjoyable melody has always excelled. However, the disc quickly grows tiresome due to the fact that most of the songs are presented in the same, “Gee, we still kind of want to sound like we’re fast” mid-paced, snooze-o-rama tempo. Sometimes it isn’t quite the forbidden beat and it isn’t quite mid-paced, yet whatever it is, it renders Appeal To Reason devoid of any kind of high water mark to keep things interesting. In addition to this record being the musical equivalent of a 48 minute elevator ride, the expression “no ballads no lay-ups” coined by the illustrious Kevin Wade has never been more applicable. The late track “Hero Of War,” while lyrically intriguing, abruptly disrupts the momentum created throughout the rest of the album.
The disc isn’t without it’s bright spots, though. “Kotov Syndrome” is a fast one -- raging fast. “Whereabouts Unknown” is another quick one brandishing blazing guitar solos and plenty of catchy woaa woaaaaa’s akin to Bad Religion. "Hairline Fracture" also manages to perform well above the rest of the album. The way that the chorus comes in is a little awkward, but the melodies and lively bridge help distinguish it from its brethren.
Now anyone out there who has seen the movie Cocoon will know that people tend to get really boring and complacent when they get old, until they get the chance to travel into outer space with space aliens that is. After the old people came into contact with the space aliens they got exciting again and started to do awesome things, like dunking basketballs. Hopefully some space aliens come to earth and ask Rise Against to travel into outer space with them, in lieu of writing another album like this. Here’s to Rise Against and Wilford Brimley coming back to earth rejuvenated!
--Barry Scatton
Comments
Philadelphia, PA
Facebook - Sure, why not, be my friend
Where The Hot Carl Isn't A Frowned Upon Phenomenon - The Blog
GO RED SOX!!!!!!!!
Minnesota
On the negative side, I will say that there is little to no deviation from the formula that these guys use over and over again, but in this case I'm actually happy for that fact.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Tallaclassy, FL
I agree with the "not-so-fast" tempo on this as well. However anyone who wants another Siren Song or even RPM will probably never see it (myself included).
Also I wish Tim McIlrath would release an acoustic album already... it really screws with the flow of the album.
Green Brook, NJ
and uh, yea, i'm pretty sick of these damn acoustic songs. they really piss me off. there's always an acoustic song and they always pick the worst song for the first single. it's just what they do.
Tallaclassy, FL