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The last time I had seen Rise Against, they were opening for Bad Religion, and they didn't have much of a crowd. It was a major surprise to me, considering they were kind of getting big all of the sudden. I went to this show and was blown away by how big the crowd was. It seemed like Rise Against was finally getting the popularity they deserved, and they put on a show that night that seemed to thank all the people that showed up.

The first band of the night was Only Crime. They consisted of various members from other big punk bands, including Bill Stevenson of Black Flag and the Descendents. The first song they played wasn't that good; I was kind of upset, knowing how good they were on record. Then they played the song "Doomsday Breach," and their show turned around from there and I really enjoyed it.

Alexisonfire was next. They had a lot of stage presence and energy, and I enjoyed their set a lot as well too. During their set they announced that Tsunami Bomb, who were also on tour with Rise Against, couldn't make it to the show tonight. I thought that they were just going to have Rise Against do an extended set, but later on they announced that there would be a super special surprise band coming out to fill Tsunami Bomb's spot.

I was anxious to find out who it was, because the possibilities seemed endless. I was thinking it could be a band on the Fat Wreck roster considering it's the label Rise Against used to be on, or a band from the Equal Vision roster, because of Alexisonfire.

I was pleasantly surprised when the curtains rose to see a familiar face: Efrem from Death By Stereo. The set was great and they played some songs off of their upcoming CD Death for Life. One song from the new CD stood out; they said it was called "What Would Jesus Do." It was a great song, and I was glad that Rise Against chose them to fill in for Tsunami Bomb.

It was time for Rise Against to play, but as usual with semi-big shows, it took what seemed like 20 minutes of the house DJ blasting shitty music before the band came on. The curtains opened and I heard the familiar beat of a base drum, and they broke out with "To Them These Streets Belong." They played "State of the Union," "Blood Red White And Blue," "Blood To Bleed," "1000 Good Intentions," "Like The Angel," and a few more in no particular order. I would've remembered better if I wasn't struggling to stand up the whole time. The time came when Tim started talking about how the night was going to be a night full of surprises; he Invited Bill from Only Crime, but more importantly Black Flag to the drums and mentioned his inspirations and thanked Jim from Pennywise who was there that night for inspiring him also. They then proceeded to cover "Nervous Breakdown" by Black Flag. A fourth of the way through the song I noticed a change in vocals; I looked up to see Jim from Pennywise on the mic. He sang the chorus, then went to the backup mic and sang along with Tim; it was the highlight of my night. They went on to play a few songs from the new CD like "Life Less Frightening," "Paper Wings," and a few from Revolutions Per Minute like "Last Chance Blueprint." The last song they played before the encore was "Give It All." I was surprised again when for the encore Tim went out with an acoustic guitar and said it was the first time he had played "Swing Life Away" live. It was a great start to an amazing encore. Next they played "Heaven Knows," which was great live. The next song was "Torches" and It was the second best song of the night. They closed with "Black Masks And Gasoline." After the show all I was thinking was that it turned out a lot better then I expected, and I felt that Rise Against thanked their fans in an amazing fashion. I thank Rise Against for getting big and still knowing how to rock the hell out of a show.



People who liked this also liked:
The Scaries - Wishing One Last TimeThe Good Life - Album Of The Year



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    Posted by prankish on 2005-03-31 22:32:14

    "You like ____? OMG YOU FUCKING IDIOT YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MUSIC ROFLOROCLORLOMG?!?!@@@ONE!@!@#@1"

    You're retarded. You completely missed the entire point of this thread. Please go back to school for the sake of everyone who will ever have to listen to you talk. I'm just going to use the very same reasoning (or lack thereof) you tried to use with my relation to liking Bright Eyes: since you like the new Rise Against CD, I'm going to assume you're an idiot.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 25, 2005 at 9:22 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    I have to agree I don't think this album was as good as it should of been. I held very high expectations after being a fan for a long time prior, but after my first fews listens I couldn't help but feel let down. Espcially after hearing State Of The Union before the album was released.Iit seemed as though the album could be their hardest yet... ironicly it was the opposite. I enjoyed some songs at first listen but none of them seemed to grab my attention. Eventually this changed after I listened to these cd atleast 5 times. It grew on me to a point where I was liking it more than RPM. Not anymore but I still feel this is a solid album. Of course it's a softer side of Rise Against but it's always been there; Everchanging, Faint Resemblance, Like The Angel. Two of those are classics of theirs and you can't tell me those songs are "hardcore". Now I've come to realize I'm glad they realized this cd. Gets rid of all the wanna be hardcores who claim they "know" what musics good. Well that's great that you don't like it but I really doubt anyone who does appreciate it cares about your opinion, I mean it is pretty meaningless.... like this prankish guy; bright eyes? LOL please you don't even deserve to listen to RPM please pass it to someone with respect for good music. Thanks

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-23 04:30:48
    My Score:

    I know you are but what am I.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 at 2:17 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Prankish is just a whiney bitch...he/she listens to shitty music and doesn't know what to do with his/her life

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-22 00:38:29
    My Score:

    If you don't like the government, don't complain because others do!

    .......

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 21, 2005 at 5:48 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Why do people post if they dont even like the band?

    R.A performed a ver similar set to that which i saw them in Australia, and i loved it.

    To what you guys say, there is no passion, or there lyrics are crap. Maybe you should actually read the lyrics. Black Masks and Gasoline is a perfect example. The passion, see them live or ask what they think of Bush's legacy. In fact, ask most punk bands about Bush's reign and its the same.

    Look at a band like Leftover Crack and there latest title Fuck World Trade. awww an angry name for a title of there album they must be good! (and they fkn are btw, great album you should all go get it).

    It just seem people judge by things they really have no clue about, if you don't like the music. DONT POST CAUSE MOST OTHERS DO!

    Posted by BlanK33 on 2005-02-21 17:48:19
    My Score:

    Why do people post if they dont even like the band?

    R.A performed a ver similar set to that which i saw them in Australia, and i loved it.

    To what you guys say, there is no passion, or there lyrics are crap. Maybe you should actually read the lyrics. Black Masks and Gasoline is a perfect example. The passion, see them live or ask what they think of Bush's legacy. In fact, ask most punk bands about Bush's reign and its the same.

    Look at a band like Leftover Crack and there latest title Fuck World Trade. awww an angry name for a title of there album they must be good! (and they fkn are btw, great album you should all go get it).

    It just seem people judge by things they really have no clue about, if you don't like the music. DONT POST CAUSE MOST OTHERS DO!

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 21, 2005 at 2:53 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Fuck the flag and fuck you!

    Posted by Crookedsuperhero on 2005-02-21 03:10:23
    My Score:

    I said punk-related you English bastard. Baxter and TKK aren't punk in sound, so why the hell should they keep their songs short? You don't hear me complaining that Fugazi's songs are too long, do you?

    Of course, I'd expect someone who can't tell the difference between whose and who's to be a wee bit deficient on reading comprehension.

    By the way, I only own 4 major label albums. I am so fucking indie. Happy now?

    -Chinatown

    How aren't Baxter 'punk-related'? Who cares if you own four major label albums, it still dosen't stop you bragging about how you don't like bands once they sign to majors and how you don't buy from big shops.

    You're such a fucking idiot. I think it's quite clear that most people on this site feel the same way as me, as everytime you post you get a shitload of abuse, usually because you say something inane and stupid.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 21, 2005 at 12:03 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Being indie is in nowadays..i guess Chinaman or is it town or man? who cares but that kid is sooooo radical..so punx

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 20, 2005 at 10:34 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Yet again, Chinatown dosen't know what he's talking about.

    Tim was in Baxter, who's shortest song was something like 3.30 mins, with an average of about 5 mins for all the songs. Why don't you just stop pretending you know things and brag about how indie you are?


    I said punk-related you English bastard. Baxter and TKK aren't punk in sound, so why the hell should they keep their songs short? You don't hear me complaining that Fugazi's songs are too long, do you?

    Of course, I'd expect someone who can't tell the difference between whose and who's to be a wee bit deficient on reading comprehension.

    By the way, I only own 4 major label albums. I am so fucking indie. Happy now?

    -Chinatown

    Posted by Psychoos231 on 2005-02-20 20:25:44
    My Score:

    Just listen to the damn band, ya elitist pricks...oh i went there..dumbass

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-20 18:57:41
    My Score:

    How does an argument negate your review? If anything it drew more attention to it than your mediocre writing could ever hope to.

    OH SNAP, I went there.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 20, 2005 at 3:21 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Unfortunately for me, I forgot that when you write a review for punknews.org, there will be an argument that has nothing to do with the review and pretty much destroy the point of the article even being there.

    Posted by Crookedsuperhero on 2005-02-20 09:20:25
    My Score:

    What happened to their short songs? Explain that one to me, genius. The shortest song on the album is "SOTU," which clocks in at a whopping 2:20. You can't tell me the band didn't alter their song formula to make them more radio-friendly. Prior to Siren Song, every single punk-related project Tim had been in had featured some short, explosive songs. The fact that they decide to write a bunch of 3:30 clunkers proves that they wanted more chances at getting airplay.

    -Chinatown

    Yet again, Chinatown dosen't know what he's talking about.

    Tim was in Baxter, who's shortest song was something like 3.30 mins, with an average of about 5 mins for all the songs. Why don't you just stop pretending you know things and brag about how indie you are?

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 19, 2005 at 11:38 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    well i disagree with all of you. they always sucked. and i have seen them live.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 19, 2005 at 11:09 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    The new rise against sound isnt their fault, the producer's rather. Realizing the album was on a major label, the album was produced in a clean, pop-driven manner. However, no attempt was made by Rise Against to write shitty songs (yes 2 or 3 of the songs on Siren Song are terrible) or sell out. I know this because my best friend works at arbutus music (rise against thanks arbutus music, check the liner notes) and one of the guitar techs personally worked on that album with a producer in Vancouver (Arbutus is located in Nanaimo, about 2 hours away from Vancouver BC). Don't talk as if Rise Against intended to alienate fans of their first 2 releases... and personally I can't even listen to RPM anymore its so outplayed.

    What happened to their short songs? Explain that one to me, genius. The shortest song on the album is "SOTU," which clocks in at a whopping 2:20. You can't tell me the band didn't alter their song formula to make them more radio-friendly. Prior to Siren Song, every single punk-related project Tim had been in had featured some short, explosive songs. The fact that they decide to write a bunch of 3:30 clunkers proves that they wanted more chances at getting airplay.

    -Chinatown

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 19, 2005 at 11:05 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Whoops. This is the score I intended to award to prankish's comment.

    -Chinatown

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 19, 2005 at 11:04 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    My reasons for not liking Rise Against are simple and have been stated many times... but allow me to reiterate for anyone too lazy to read but still overcome with the need to comment:

    Reason 1: It isn't any good.
    Reason 2: ...uhh that's about it.

    They aren't even trying. There is no sense of urgency. There is no passion, there is no aggression, and there is no anger. Nothing about their music sounds sincerely concerned. It sounds like recycled, over produced, watered down, generic, boring, and entirely uninteresting pop music. Gone is the intensity, and gone is the power. This change is noticeable in the vocals AND in the playing style.


    Score's for that. He's just summed up Rise Against in 6 sentences: a group of technically proficient musicians with little to no songwriting skills. They should take some cues from Avail and Strike Anywhere.

    -Chinatown

    Posted by Not-To-Regret on 2005-02-19 16:40:07
    My Score:

    The new rise against sound isnt their fault, the producer's rather. Realizing the album was on a major label, the album was produced in a clean, pop-driven manner. However, no attempt was made by Rise Against to write shitty songs (yes 2 or 3 of the songs on Siren Song are terrible) or sell out. I know this because my best friend works at arbutus music (rise against thanks arbutus music, check the liner notes) and one of the guitar techs personally worked on that album with a producer in Vancouver (Arbutus is located in Nanaimo, about 2 hours away from Vancouver BC). Don't talk as if Rise Against intended to alienate fans of their first 2 releases... and personally I can't even listen to RPM anymore its so outplayed.

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-19 03:49:44
    My Score:

    It would be easier to "repson" if I could read it... though I'm glad you got your caps key fixed.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 19, 2005 at 3:43 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    it';s funny how you made a really bad assum ption of what type of person i am and what my tastes in music may be, which was also off..because i never once did that too you..just commented on what you had written. but that just shows how retarded you are that you cant even make a valid attempt to repson to what i said.

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-19 03:36:57
    My Score:

    And to the fellow below, I am sorry that I have upset you so much. I, for one, enjoy discussing these kinds of things with people because unlike many, my opinions are not always set in concrete before the conversation even begins.

    I am very interested in knowing why people still give this band credit, and so far it just so happens nothing has convinced me they're still in it for the music.

    You need to take some Ridalyn and a puff of your inhaler, pop in your Coheed and Cambria CD, and just mellow out for a while.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 19, 2005 at 3:36 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    It's one thing to say you don't like them anymore... But to sit here and plaed your case why they aren't good anymore... Is completely fucking pointless you fucking lame dork. You can't change people's taste. What do you think people are gonna have a revelation from what you say and suddnely decide to get rid of the rise against cd they like so much. Theres a difference between stating an opinion and just looking like a fucking idiot. Quit wasting your time trying to change people's minds... No one cares what you think. And there's no stupid shit you can say to try and make your case to me. The only person to lose there credibility is you because of how fucking gay you are.

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-19 03:33:51
    My Score:

    Please don't come halfway into a conversation and make a comment. If you had read some of the previous posts (which, admittedly, go miles back) you would have seen some of the other artists I listen to. To be honest I can't even put down the new Bright Eyes CDs... and I consider Elliott Smith my favorite songwriter of all time.

    My reasons for not liking Rise Against are simple and have been stated many times... but allow me to reiterate for anyone too lazy to read but still overcome with the need to comment:

    Reason 1: It isn't any good.
    Reason 2: ...uhh that's about it.

    They aren't even trying. There is no sense of urgency. There is no passion, there is no aggression, and there is no anger. Nothing about their music sounds sincerely concerned. It sounds like recycled, over produced, watered down, generic, boring, and entirely uninteresting pop music. Gone is the intensity, and gone is the power. This change is noticeable in the vocals AND in the playing style.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 19, 2005 at 3:30 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    It seems like any time a band gets signed to a major, the only reason you could possibly dislike them is because you're an "elitist scene trash faggot" of some kind.

    I don't like them because they play bad music. Can you tell the CD is still Rise Against? Of course you can. Then again, if they started an acid jazz trio I'm pretty sure I'd still be able to pick out Tim's voice without a problem. The fact that I can still tell who they are doesn't mean they're playing the same music.

    There is not a single song on the new CD that makes me want to rock. How anyone can call this "hardcore" or "emotional hardcore" or whatever the fuck microgenre people think Rise Against falls into is beyond me. It's pop. Very, very soft pop. I listen to some pretty god damned vagina music, and RA's new stuff is just too damn ridiculous for me. They have more in common with Creed than hardcore.

    GOD DAMN YOU ARE A FUCKING LOSER. iF YOU dON'T lIKE IT DON'T LISTEN TO IT, BUT HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HAVE TO WRITE A HALF PAGE EXPLAINING A WHY A BAND (THAT HAS MADE MORE OF AN IMPACT ON PEOPLE'S LIVES ...FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES THAN YOU EVER HAVE FOR ANY PURPOSE ) APPARENTLY ISN'T GOOD ANY MORE. iT'S FUNNY TOO SINCE THEY'VE CHANGED GUITARISTS WITH EVERY CD THEY'VE PUT OUT. DO YOU YOURSELF PLAY MUSIC? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUSIC IS MADE? DO YOU REALIZE HOW SIGNIFIGANT A DIFFERENCE ONE JUST ONE GUITARIST AND THERE STYLE CAN CHANGE THINGS UP? THAT BEING SAID, DO YOU REALIZE HOW INSANELY BORING NEVER FUCKING CHANGING WOULD BE? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA? OH WAIT NO YOU DON'T, YOU HAVE NO FUCKING CLUE. BECAUSE NO ONE IS PAYING YOU A GODDAMN CENT TO PLAY MUSIC FOR THEM. YOUR NOT IN THERE SITUATION AND YOU HAVE NO FUCKING IDEA, WHAT GOES THROUGH THERE HEADS WHEN THEY WRITE SONGS. WHY HAVN'T THEY LOST ANY RESPECT? BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO THAN WORRY ABOUT HOW A BAND (THAT IS GONNA DO WHAT EVER THE HELL THEY WANNA DO REGARDLESS OF WHAT SOME GUY THINKS, THEY APPARENTLY SHOULD DO OR DON'T DO) CHANGES THE STRUCTURING OF THEIR SONGS. GET A FUCKING LIFE...WORRY ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE YOU LAME PEICE OF SHIT. BECUSE NO MATTER HGOW MANY TIMES YOU WRITE YOUR LITTLE POSTS...ANYONE WHO LIKES THEM WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. AND THOSE WHO DON'T WILL CONTINUE TO DISLIKE THEM. AND NOT A DAMN THING IS GONNA CHANGE BECAUSE YOU (LIKE ANYONE GIVES A FUCK WHO YOU ARE) CAME ON HERE AND ATTEPMTED TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S PERSONAL TASTE.

    Posted by Not-To-Regret on 2005-02-19 02:35:29
    My Score:

    " I listen to some pretty god damned vagina music, and RA's new stuff is just too damn ridiculous for me. They have more in common with Creed than hardcore."

    If Rise Against is too soft for you, i'd hate to see your music collection, what is all heavy metal and hardcore punk? If thats where you draw the line thats pretty pathetic. I'll listen to anything no matter how "pussy" it's considered, if anyone doesnt like it they can fuck off. And everyone, please don't give me the classic rebuttal: "If I want hardcore I'll listen to such and such..., not this wannabe hardcore rise against", that argument just doesn't hold up anymore.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 19, 2005 at 2:21 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "How are you supposed to run a record company without contributing to a huge corporation in some way?"

    Fucking idiot.

    Anyone else just fucking HATE BSD? FUCKING HATE?

    Posted by lushj on 2005-02-18 16:57:29
    My Score:

    "I listen to some pretty god damned vagina music, and RA's new stuff is just too damn ridiculous for me."

    This score is for this comment!!!

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-18 04:02:25
    My Score:

    She would if it were catchy enough. They can't even do pop right.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 10:39 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    The fact that someone would say "Dead Ringer" is a better song than "State Of the Union" is ridiculous. I don't care what you think about the rest of the album, that is a fantastic hardcore song.

    And I don't think anyone is going to buy the argument that Siren Song is a "pop" album. Does your little sister walk around humming the chorus to "State of the Union?" LMAO.

    It's a good album, especially considering it's on a major. Yeah, their sound has changed a bit, but not drastically. No band wants to put out the same album five times. Fact is, they handled the major label jump better than 90% of punk/hardcore bands.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 9:54 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    My dog is neutered, and yet she still licks her cooch.

    -Chinatown

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-02-17 20:22:11
    My Score:

    Okay, Siren Song is one of those CDs that takes awhile to click with you.

    And to prankish, I disagree that the new Rise Against CD is watered down to the point of neutering the band.

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-17 18:02:52
    My Score:

    It seems like any time a band gets signed to a major, the only reason you could possibly dislike them is because you're an "elitist scene trash faggot" of some kind.

    I don't like them because they play bad music. Can you tell the CD is still Rise Against? Of course you can. Then again, if they started an acid jazz trio I'm pretty sure I'd still be able to pick out Tim's voice without a problem. The fact that I can still tell who they are doesn't mean they're playing the same music.

    There is not a single song on the new CD that makes me want to rock. How anyone can call this "hardcore" or "emotional hardcore" or whatever the fuck microgenre people think Rise Against falls into is beyond me. It's pop. Very, very soft pop. I listen to some pretty god damned vagina music, and RA's new stuff is just too damn ridiculous for me. They have more in common with Creed than hardcore.

    Posted by dazed on 2005-02-17 16:37:29
    My Score:

    Lots of bands carefully maintain their sound and make disappointing albums. Sometimes they just seem to lose the feeling and that's the way I feel about Rise Against - they still sound like Rise Against sure, but there just seems to be a whole lot less enthusiasm about it. I'd rather they changed up sounds if they could make a CD that had the raw passion of The Unraveling again.

    Incidentally I don't own Siren Song in any form, what I've heard of it has been from when they streamed it over purevolume and at my friend's place. I'll leave open the possibility that it's one of those albums that takes a few listens to really click but so far all I've heard just sounds like they're treading water with diminishing results.

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-02-17 14:51:53
    My Score:

    No, my point is that Rise Against as a hardcore band is unfounded.

    Also, Siren Song still sounds like Rise Against, unlike AFI's cd

    Posted by Not-To-Regret on 2005-02-17 14:28:52
    My Score:

    Okay now I disagree with Chinatown, Rise Against's harder songs are what saves that band for me... if they just played straight mid-tempo pop-punk i would never listen to them. "State of the union" regardless of what you think, is probably most rise against fans favorite song, and I blatently acknowledge that they may have recorded songs like that to maintain "credibility", but man does that song get me pumped up when its played loud, and it was amazing performed live.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 2:11 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    All of you, including me, were bashing AFI's new one when it came out. You know it doesn't sound like the AFI on a indie at all. Rise Against's still sounds like them. Let's count their "hardcore" songs on Revolutions...there's "To the Core" and "Dead Ringers". That's a whole two.

    That's your argument? The songs are still "hardcore"? If they're so fast and brutal, why do most of them [on SSOTCC] last almost 4 minutes? (I realize that "State of the Union" is about 2:20, but that track is so awful I hesitate to call it a song.) If I recall correctly, "To the Core" and "Dead Ringers" were only about 1:30 long. Hardcore is not only meant to be aggressive, it's meant to be slight as well.

    Anyhow, I've always thought Rise Against's poppy side was a lot better than their "hardcore" one. If I want real hardcore, I'll listen to some bands that actually know how to play it well.

    -Chinatown

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-02-17 11:24:36
    My Score:

    And if you're going to challenge someone, at least spell "hear" right.

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-02-17 11:23:16
    My Score:

    All of you, including me, were bashing AFI's new one when it came out. You know it doesn't sound like the AFI on a indie at all. Rise Against's still sounds like them. Let's count their "hardcore" songs on Revolutions...there's "To the Core" and "Dead Ringers". That's a whole two.

    If you actually believe Siren Song is watered down sissy pop-rock you're delusional. But then again, that's one less bandwagoneering, trend jumping, self righteous indie scenester prick at the show.

    prankish...this isn't really aimed at you, but the reactionary major label punx without a basis for argument. Sorry if it seems this way, but in my opinion Siren Song is defintely not pop-rock.

    Posted by dazed on 2005-02-17 08:52:05
    My Score:

    "records like this RA and the last AFI are still good records despite whatever genre they are in...great records in fact...not watered down one bit...most of the other bands that play the same style suck lots of ass...but these are 2 of the last great talents from this rotten cesspool otherwise called the hardcore/punk scene "

    Are you kidding me? There's lots of great punk and hardcore being made. A lot of it isn't on large indies and is harder to find, but even on the large indies bands that play a similar style better are covered regularly on this site. Strike Anywhere made a much softer record that has way more substance than the last two Rise Against albums. Hell, Only Crime are reviewed here and they're fucking fantastic. As for AFI while I certainly enjoy some of their stuff even when I was a big fan I never really thought of them so much as "great talents" as "a more tasteful focused version of the Offspring".

    I just have to emphatically disagree with that entire paragraph. I think if you keep listening to punk you're eventually going to find a lot of bands much better and less watered-down than RA or AFI although there are admittedly many worse bands too.

    Posted by Not-To-Regret on 2005-02-17 04:43:15
    My Score:

    I happen to agree with Chinatown, but in spite of the fact that many bands have a rather straightforward sound, I take that into account and fit it in with my varied collection of music.

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-17 02:38:05
    My Score:

    I don't like it because it is bad.

    Posted by InnuendoAndOutTheOther on 2005-02-17 02:04:01
    My Score:

    Prankish

    this is most def where we disagree

    I love this album for what seems all the reasons you dislike it

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 1:48 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    well said, chinatown

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 1:27 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    *derivative*

    I was typing too fast.

    -Chinatown

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 1:26 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    I don't hate them because they're "cool." (They aren't anyways; their move to a major hasn't really enlarged their fanbase and they'll likely get dropped before this year's end.) I hate them because their songs are as generic and hookless as Pennywise. These guys aren't treading any new ground. They play (played...Siren Songs is rather mid-tempo) dervaitive hardcore-influenced skate punk. They don't have Avail's Southern influence, they don't have Strung Out's technical dynamics, they don't have Bigwig's playfulness or willingness to write goofy songs. Essentially, they don't possess that magical spark that makes a few select bands (honestly, I can only tolerate about 30-40 punk bands in the world today) sound so good at everything they try. They're fucking boring.

    -Chinatown

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 12:15 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    "Lets hear your songs Chinatown"

    This argument has always seemed stupid to me. Are you saying that only musicians may critique music? That's outrageous. That's like saying only actors and directors can award stars to films, or that only authors can review books.

    I'm not in a band, but so what? Should my opinion of a song be completely worthless because of this? Hell no.

    -Well actors and directors pretty much do so...
    No one said that you have to be a "band person" in order to critique
    music. ignorance shouldnt get in the way of music, hating cause its "cool" is lame...

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 11:35 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    score's for prankish, props

    Posted by Archangel on 2005-02-16 23:25:08
    My Score:

    "Lets here your songs Chinatown"

    This argument has always seemed stupid to me. Are you saying that only musicians may critique music? That's outrageous. That's like saying only actors and directors can award stars to films, or that only authors can review books.

    I'm not in a band, but so what? Should my opinion of a song be completely worthless because of this? Hell no.

    Posted by Psychoos231 on 2005-02-16 23:05:34
    My Score:

    Thats what i thought, ya fuckin shithead

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 11:03 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I don't have to show you anything bitch.

    As soon as a band put something out on the market, it becomes a product that's open to any type of criticism.

    -Chinatown

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 10:34 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Lets here your songs Chinatown

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 10:18 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Rise Against have gone from mediocre to horrid.

    Let's face it, the only two good songs they ever wrote were "Six Ways 'Till Sundays" and "Voices Off Camera."

    -Chinatown

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-16 21:18:16
    My Score:

    Well that's where we're going to have to agree to disagree.

    I feel that AFI did not compromise nearly as much of their artistic credibility when signing to a major, yet they received 10 times as much backlash. I can say, quite sincerely, that Siren Song was probably the most devastatingly disappointing album I've ever purchased. I wanted more than anything for Rise Against to rock my ass inside out like the days of yore, but it didn't happen. I got some kind of watered down sissy pop rock with hypocritical lyrics and a self righteous album title. This is not the Rise Against I fell in love with. Period.

    Posted by InnuendoAndOutTheOther on 2005-02-16 19:50:36
    My Score:

    prankish,

    that's just the thing

    records like this RA and the last AFI are still good records despite whatever genre they are in...great records in fact...not watered down one bit...most of the other bands that play the same style suck lots of ass...but these are 2 of the last great talents from this rotten cesspool otherwise called the hardcore/punk scene

    again this is just my opinion...but I like this record...b/c it's good and I like this band b/c they stick to their guns

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 5:57 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Dude the new stuff is better live than their old stuff(1st album) When i first saw them acouple years back they were ok but now their live show is awesome. You're missing out, its ok though.
    No one has to like everything..
    Late

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-16 17:55:27
    My Score:

    Saw them at Bumbershoot this summer in Seattle. The show was passable, but not up to old standards by any means. The show was not good enough to warrant a purchase of tickets for their show here on Feb. 14th. Sitting through their new music is utterly intolerable.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 5:45 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Have you seen them recently? I've seen them 5 times...all good shows

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-16 17:40:50
    My Score:

    I've seen them live 3 times, including one of the best shows I've ever seen... that doesn't change any of my points.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 5:39 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    That would have been an amazing show.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 5:25 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    To the guy who can't stand the new album,

    Dude check them out live and see if they're any good.

    Posted by lushj on 2005-02-16 17:17:03
    My Score:

    I didn't say that I don't use major label lightbulbs in my home and buy major label gas for my major label car. I'm just pointing out that there's more than one definition for "selling out."

    I'm darn aware of the contradictions and the compromises we all make living in this society. I choose not to add to those contradictions and compromises by actively pushing my art further into giving the majors a profit. However, they do get a sliver of every indie label cd I've put out sold through Caroline, Red, Tower, Virgin, etc. I'm fine with that compromise.

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-16 17:15:55
    My Score:

    How can you possibly say my distaste for the new Rise Against CD is only a bias because of their signing to a major? There were dozens of major label CDs that I enjoyed last year, and Siren Song of the Counter Culture was not one of them.

    For fuck's sake... look at the name of the album! SIREN SONG OF THE COUNTER CULTURE! Even fucking ANTI FLAG doesn't have album titles that ridiculous. Could you possibly come up with an album title making a more desperate attempt at appealing to the Hot Topic generation? Why are people so deep in denial over this band?

    Of course bands are allowed to evolve, but STOP CALLING THIS SHIT HARDCORE. RISE AGAINST IS NO LONGER ANYTHING EVEN SOMEWHAT RELATED TO HARDCORE. They made a transition as fucking drastic as AFI when they signed to a major, and AFI got abandoned by the punk community at the drop of a hat in spite of a decade of credibility before that... and hell, AFI's CD was at least bearable.

    Listen, I understand that it's cool to "prove" you're non bias about music by sticking with bands that get popular. I understand that it's cool to prove just how much you love music by not allowing yourself to be blinded by an elitist scenester ego. That's fine. Rise Against no longer makes good music, and that is the reason I do not listen to them. This has nothing to do with their signing to a major, and I still enjoy their old music to this day.

    One could even argue they chose to water down their music in an effort to reach a broader audience... and I find that a reasonable possibility. Though even if that is the case, it does not change the fact that I no longer enjoy their music. At all. Selling their song to EA to put on the Burnout 3 soundtrack should let you know what kind of audience their music now appeals to (other artists on the soundtrack include: Simple Plan, Unwritten Law, and New Found Glory). And guess what? Their song doesn't stand out a bit.

    Counter culture, indeed.

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-02-16 16:51:27
    My Score:

    Score one for BSD.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 4:44 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    How are you supposed to run a record company without contributing to a huge corporation in some way? It's simply impractical if you want to spread your ideas to a large audience... I'm sure most big distro and pressing companies have shady ties.

    As long as money exists, it will trade hands with good and evil...

    But don't hate the players, hate the game. If you're going to call a band out for being on a major, I hope you grow your own food, drink from a well, and live in a candle-lit hut miles away from civilization. The .0001 percent of money the army makes off a Rise Against CD hurts people a lot less than directly giving your government money.

    -BSD

    Posted by bizzlebrizzle on 2005-02-16 16:29:13
    My Score:

    Even if he lied about the Swing Life Away business the general consensus is that it was a cool experience.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 3:31 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    He sang Swing LIfe Away acoustic in Phoenix and Tucson. Fucking liar. haha

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 2:12 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    ""Selling Out" doesn't have to include changing a band's sound.

    Major Labels = Multinational Corporations. Whatever label RA is on is connected to arms manufacturers, nuclear weapons makers, anti-worker pro-unrestricted free trade legal firms, sweatshops here and abroad, and on and on. All the nasty profit-uber-alles concerns you can think of are probably connected to their label. Some fraction of that RA cd's profits are going to fuck up our country and our planet.

    Art and music is SOLELY a commodity in the Boardroom, no matter what Rick Rubin or other creative types added as window dressing say.

    In that light, espousing anti-corporate, anti-sweatshop, pro-union views and then signing for "New Boots And Contracts" is selling out. HOWEVER, and this is something that no one's mentioned here, some bands choose to go that route in the quest for the greater good, to get the message out and to raise badly needed funds for their causes. Rage Against The Machine and Chumbawumba are 2 perfect examples of this. Is that legitimate? I wouldn't do it, but some of my friends have. They're still my friends, but they know I'm not a fan of that business decision.

    P.S.- This score is for Death By Stereo's live show, never heard/seen Rise Against."

    i hate to break it to you, but it's not that simple. most indie labels are distributed by cororations that do the same things. unless you grow all your food in your back yard and sew all your own clothes from cotton you grew and use no electricity, then i'm fairly certain you're contributing money to corporations that do things like that. SO, it's not really fair to demonize a band for signing to a major label because it's a large corporation, we're ALL contributing to large corporations. it's unavoidable.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 2:07 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I agree with everything LushJ has said execpt for Chumbawamba. Chumbawamba did sell out completely. Before signing to EMI, they had several songs bashing the lable. Now that they are off it, they still license their songs to be used in cheap video games and movies that have nothing to do with their message. I'm still a fan of their old stuff as well as some of the new, but they have lost it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 1:23 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Yeah, it did a lot of good for Chumbawumba .

    -sickboi

    Posted by lushj on 2005-02-16 13:20:20
    My Score:

    "God I'm so sick of hearing the sellout chants from any band that signs to a major label. "

    "Selling Out" doesn't have to include changing a band's sound.

    Major Labels = Multinational Corporations. Whatever label RA is on is connected to arms manufacturers, nuclear weapons makers, anti-worker pro-unrestricted free trade legal firms, sweatshops here and abroad, and on and on. All the nasty profit-uber-alles concerns you can think of are probably connected to their label. Some fraction of that RA cd's profits are going to fuck up our country and our planet.

    Art and music is SOLELY a commodity in the Boardroom, no matter what Rick Rubin or other creative types added as window dressing say.

    In that light, espousing anti-corporate, anti-sweatshop, pro-union views and then signing for "New Boots And Contracts" is selling out. HOWEVER, and this is something that no one's mentioned here, some bands choose to go that route in the quest for the greater good, to get the message out and to raise badly needed funds for their causes. Rage Against The Machine and Chumbawumba are 2 perfect examples of this. Is that legitimate? I wouldn't do it, but some of my friends have. They're still my friends, but they know I'm not a fan of that business decision.

    P.S.- This score is for Death By Stereo's live show, never heard/seen Rise Against.

    Posted by InnuendoAndOutTheOther on 2005-02-16 12:01:37
    My Score:

    If you are honestly saying they have not deviated from their original song structures very much, you really need to invest in Q-Tips

    prankish:
    it's people like you who make me disgusted to be a hardcore music fan...if you actually sat down and listened to the album without any pre-concieved notions in your head...or if you weren't trying to be so scene you could appreciate this album...as I held none of those and throughly enjoy all 3 records by this band...as for this band not having any messages...you must not actually listen to them at all anymore...but that's right...lets shit on every band who wants to make a living out of their music career just b/c they signed to a major label...fuck you and all the rest like you...this band nor the music community need fans like you

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 2:59 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    wow that show sounds rad, rise against is fucking amazing live, however, to go along with that whole "sellout" thing...

    "trying to make a difference
    but where the fuck did you go wrong?
    lying to all the names and faces
    that have been there all along
    how can you ask me to just forget?
    all the sick lines
    and the words you said
    how can you ask me to just forget?
    deny the promises you've made
    the things you said
    that you hold dear
    behind your empty words
    you hide and wait"

    "Sometimes Selling Out is Giving Up" - Rise Against

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 1:58 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Im seeing them twice this weekend in Chicago and I swear to god if I dont hear Everchanging im gonna cry

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 12:22 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    To the reviewer Zack, didn't they play Rumors of my Demise have been greatly exaggerated??

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-02-15 22:46:33
    My Score:

    Tim played Swing Life Away on August 28, 2004 at the Metro, at the release show.

    It was amazing to watch...

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 10:13 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    In San Francisco Alexisonfire cancelled but we didnt get a replacement

    Posted by Psychoos231 on 2005-02-15 21:59:31
    My Score:

    At the Glasshouse show, every single fuckin person was singing along to Swing Life Away...it was crazy..Very good show.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 9:56 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    tim played swing life away live in NYC january 5, 2005 at b.b. kings

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 9:18 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Was at this show the next day, Tsunami Bomb was back on.... Bah

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 8:23 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    this show was great! I thought I was up on the balcony getting drunk when I heard Death by Stereo start and I thought i was going to pee myself. They were amazing, as usual. Infact, I was ready to go right after their set. Buuuut it was my first time seeing Rise Against and they were pretty awesome. I wish I had gotten to see them in a smaller venue before, though

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 6:41 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I wish I was at that show.
    *buttbadger

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 3:24 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Rise Against have recently been down here in New Zealand and they were AMAZING!!!

    So what if they have done well, good on them and just cos your shitty garage band cant even book a show at a local bar it isn't their fault.

    martin*
    NZ09

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 2:50 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Hell yeah "State of the Union" was fuckin intense live

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-02-15 13:23:37
    My Score:

    If you saw Rise with Bad Religion, then had to have seen Tim fucking scream State of the Union.

    That was amazing.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 12:31 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I remember seeing Hot Water Music open for Bad Religion in San Francisco and Matt Skiba came out and sang "Rooftops" .

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 12:26 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I used to go see Rise Against live constantly, but not anymore, last time I saw them was before Bad Religion and the energy was gone, as was the skill. The new guitarist fucked up the temp on 1000 Good Intentions, they also never play The Art of Losing, and to be honest it has been a while since I have heard Everchanging.

    As for this
    "SOIA used to be on a mjor. did they ever sell out?"
    Thats just it, Sick of it All also got off a major and never garnered the sucess because they refused to change. Sick of it All should be the model, not the exception.

    Posted by bassthoven on 2005-02-15 12:08:35
    My Score:

    god yes! if dbs replaces tsunami bomb(please yes) in vancouver, then this is undoubtedly the concert of the year.(at least in BC)

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-02-15 11:36:49
    My Score:

    DBS and Only Crime are worth seeing, defintely.

    Posted by dazed on 2005-02-15 11:06:03
    My Score:

    I'd like to see Only Crime and Death By Stereo a lot.

    Rise Against are decent live although I'd really only want to hear Unraveling stuff.

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-02-15 10:21:34
    My Score:

    Funny how Doomsday Breach turns around the set for Only Crime, because that's the song that got their set going in Chicago.

    I'm going to both shows in Chicago, anyone else?

    Posted by CorpseOfMyMotivation on 2005-02-15 09:59:53
    My Score:

    "The only thing more retarded than hating a band because they're popular is inability to admit a band has gone down the fucking shitter. It's all fine and dandy that you prophecized them as being the band of the new punk millenium, because I was duped into believing it too. I thought these guys would continue to make badass music with a message for all their years to come. I was wrong. You were wrong. Their music sounds absolutely nothing like it once did, and to say they haven't deviated from their sound to appeal to the masses is just turning a blind eye (and apparently a deaf ear) to the music scene today."

    Beautifully put. I was duped too.

    Posted by CorpseOfMyMotivation on 2005-02-15 09:58:23
    My Score:

    The new Rise Against makes me want to shoot something. They used to be fucking INCREDIBLE!

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 9:55 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    there's two vancouver shows, I'm hoping alexisonfire headlines the day one (all ages), and rise against headlines the one at night.

    no offence to muchmusic alexisonfire fans, but I'd rather rock out with them not around.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 9:17 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    SOIA used to be on a mjor. did they ever sell out?

    Posted by Bosco on 2005-02-15 08:52:11
    My Score:

    Sweet jesus, Only Crime, Alexisonfire, Rise Against, and bonus DEATH BY STEREO? That's one hell of a lineup.

    Now if DBS would fucking cut us east coast people some slack.

    Posted by peilocal on 2005-02-15 07:51:40
    My Score:

    God I'm so sick of hearing the sellout chants from any band that signs to a major label. Yes, there sound did change a bit, but most bands sound do change (at least a bit) from record to record. Siren Song... wasn't my favorite record of the year, or even my favorite record from Rise Against, but it was still good. People just got to accept the fact, that some bands evolve their sound without selling out. The only band that I can think of that really sold out, would be the Goo Goo Dolls. They had that hit Name, next thing you know, they only use acoustic guitars, and their former "grunge" singer has 8 pounds of gel in his hair, a designer outfit, and makeup on. You can't say that about Rise Against, they still write the same sort of tunes, and they look the same. Sure, they threw in some acoustic guitar on the album, but I would say their sound is evolving. Anyone who uses the term sellout, need to take a look at themselves in the mirror, and see how much they have changed in the last number of years. To expect a band to stay the exact same from the first of their career, to the end, is absurd.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 6:33 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    This would be an amazing show if not for Alexisonfire - overrated "post-hardcore" crap with too many ideas that just don't come off.

    Still DBS and Rise Against are both absolutely awesome, and "Siren Song..." is a fucking brilliant album.

    Joe

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-15 05:21:36
    My Score:

    If you are honestly saying they have not deviated from their original song structures very much, you really need to invest in Q-Tips.

    The only thing more retarded than hating a band because they're popular is inability to admit a band has gone down the fucking shitter. It's all fine and dandy that you prophecized them as being the band of the new punk millenium, because I was duped into believing it too. I thought these guys would continue to make badass music with a message for all their years to come. I was wrong. You were wrong. Their music sounds absolutely nothing like it once did, and to say they haven't deviated from their sound to appeal to the masses is just turning a blind eye (and apparently a deaf ear) to the music scene today.

    To say I don't like them for being "too popular" is just completely foundless. The last CD I bought was Bright Eyes, for fuck sake. It's obvious that I can like popular music AND sissy music, so it seems like the new Rise Against CD would be a perfect fit. It's not. It's awful.

    And to the person who said I don't give Rise Against enough show credit: I don't care how great of a performer you are when you're singing shitty songs. I don't understand why people are so reluctant to come to terms with our loss of a great band.

    PS

    I still love Against Me!

    Posted by Cos on 2005-02-15 05:17:23
    My Score:

    I'm only familiar with Rise Against's latest album and I love it. Its slightly overdone, but it reminds me of the heyday of Fat Wreck, when bands could be fast, melodic and polished but still sound hard and not-yet radio-ready, like Strung Out or Snuff or early Good Riddance.

    It might be a guilty pleasure if some of the songs, like the first one, weren't so fucking good. Anyone who calls "Sellout" needs to get over themselves and realized that melodic hardcore this good doesn't come around much anymore these days.

    --Cos

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 2:51 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Why the fuck doesn't their major label album have any songs under 2 minutes? Explain that one to me.

    -Chinatown

    Posted by pwfanatic on 2005-02-15 02:22:46
    My Score:

    "I've seen them once live since the new record, and admittedly they still can put on a decent show... but to say that these guys didn't sell out in every sense of the term is just lying to yourself."

    as much as you seem to say that you love their old album, the fact that you have lost so much faith in a band that didn't deviate from their original song structure that much so quickly leads me to believe otherwise. not only that, but you say they only put on a 'decent' show doesn't give them enough credit at all. tim is one of the most phenomenal performers on the stage today, hands down.

    Posted by joeg on 2005-02-15 01:45:19
    My Score:

    sellouts or not, i couldn't give a shit b/c i'm too busy in denial and having fun listening to these guys.

    Posted by hubitcherkokov on 2005-02-15 01:42:55
    My Score:

    Death By Stereo and Rise Against are fucking great live. Is there an exact released date for "Death For Life"?

    Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-02-15 01:38:56
    My Score:

    death by stereo makes every show a 10

    - jones the bones

    - stevejones8770@yahoo.com

    Posted by bizzlebrizzle on 2005-02-15 01:10:01
    My Score:

    Why the fuck does Rise against headline in the US, but in Canada they are opening up for alexisonfire. Besides the obvious nationality thing, and the fact that alexisonfire is more popular here.... aww fuck, guess i'll just go home early.
    Oh yeah, and if anyone has seen them lately, how many songs do they play of of the unraveling, if they are only playing one or two that is major (label) bullshit!

    They play one or two off of Unraveling max.

    It's a bummer I know.

    Posted by bizzlebrizzle on 2005-02-15 01:08:48
    My Score:

    Alexisonfire sucks ass.
    Only Crime sucks ass.
    Tsunami Bombs sucks ass.
    Rise Against HAS played "Swing Life Away" live before.

    Score is for peanut butter.


    Jerk off.

    Alexisonfire does suck ass.

    Only Crime does not at all.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 1:05 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Why the fuck does Rise against headline in the US, but in Canada they are opening up for alexisonfire. Besides the obvious nationality thing, and the fact that alexisonfire is more popular here.... aww fuck, guess i'll just go home early.
    Oh yeah, and if anyone has seen them lately, how many songs do they play of of the unraveling, if they are only playing one or two that is major (label) bullshit!

    Posted by maverick on 2005-02-15 00:59:32
    My Score:

    Alkaline Trio pulled that same crap with "Enjoy Your Day" a few years ago, announcing at every show that it was "the first time this song has ever been played."

    You'd think bands would have learned, in this day and age where everyone is on the internet now, to not try and dupe their fans. It just comes off looking lame.

    That being said, Rise Against blew me the fuck away in Cleveland last month -- easily the best I've ever seen them. Juan, their merch guy, said that show was in the top 5 he's ever witnessed.

    I also find it funny how, now that the band's starting to do well on a major, the Rise Against backlash has begun. RA are just the newest victims in a line of "Oops, you got too popular, I can't like you anymore!" Punknews user desertions (see also: Thursday, Thrice, Avenged Sevenfold, Against Me!).

    All of Rise Against's albums have fucking amazing songs; all of Rise Against's albums have duds, too. Siren Song, while sounding a bit more polished production-wise, still posesses the same song structures and lyrical themes as the last two albums did. Build a bridge and get over it; this band didn't sell out.

    -Scott

    Posted by prankish on 2005-02-15 00:47:21
    My Score:

    I'm sorry, but Rise Against is garbage now. They're quite seriously one of the worst bands making music today. The Unraveling had some amazing songs, and RPM even had a few good tracks, but this band has gotten progressively worse since day one. I think it was an absolute slap in the face for them to sign to a major label after all the preaching they did.

    The fact that people even try to claim for one half of a second that the label did not influence their change in sound is absurd. They watered down their music and now it's fucking horrible. This is not the direction Rise Against was headed before being signed, and if you really think their music has an ounce of creativity left in it, you're living in denial and I can't really blame you for it. I wanted to like them. I wanted them to succeed. They were one of my favorite bands in music... and now they just suck.

    I've seen them once live since the new record, and admittedly they still can put on a decent show... but to say that these guys didn't sell out in every sense of the term is just lying to yourself.

    Posted by blaubs21 on 2005-02-15 00:43:03
    My Score:

    well Tim's a dirty rotten liar....they played here it in Milwaukee back in August while on tour with AWS. as i'm sure they played it a bunch of times on that tour.

    by the way, who listens to Tsunami Bomb? i found their live show to abhorable, and their sound to be just god awful. but whatever floats your boat.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 12:22 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Alexisonfire sucks ass.
    Only Crime sucks ass.
    Tsunami Bombs sucks ass.
    Rise Against HAS played "Swing Life Away" live before.

    Score is for peanut butter.

    Posted by bizzlebrizzle on 2005-02-15 00:15:37
    My Score:

    Uhhh Alexisonfire is on EqualVision.