Reviews

The major label debut and overall third effort from Chicago based Rise Against is bound to be one of the most well-received albums within the scene in recent memory. Despite signing to Dreamworks, they have not only kept their credibility as artists, but also come as strong or stronger politically than ever before. In a summer full of good new music, this is the premier, hands down. It sounds much like a continuation of Revolutions Per Minute as opposed to their first cd (the unraveling), utilizing a fairly straightforward melodic hardcore formula: fast drums, four power chord progressions, and frequent octave or other simple guitar solos. From this basic foundation they begin to show why they are the best punk band still standing; the trademark high tone sound of the bass, the distinct and gritty yet melodic and soothing vocals, intelligent and mature lyrics, intense personal and political subject matter, and an overall cohesiveness within the song structure which becomes tight and forceful experience. If you were apprehensive about the move to a major label and what affect might be noticeable, forget it. While better produced, and once in a while a little overproduced recording-wise (I’m thinking Anywhere But Here and the new mixing of Give It All), the aspects which make this band memorable are obviously remaining. This is not the unraveling, however. The two guitar formula has continued from revolutions and the song structure changed since the departure of dan precision. With the addition of a hardcore veteran and former reach the sky guitarist, on many tracks the music has gained back a harder edge and a more dynamic construction, especially evident in the longer quiet breakdowns before plunging back into the speed, reminiscent of the epic breakdown on the b-side Generation Lost. The musical maturity also manifests itself in a few acoustic intros and bridges and the redone all acoustic Swing Life Away. Overall, I still like the unraveling better, but really the two projects are different enough that it is hard to really compare them completely.  this is a great cd, although I don’t think it is the absolutely classic cd like the unraveling. Get this.  Now!