Posted by AlexpunkFL on 2009-10-27 21:14:58
My Score:

bad album. they drifted away from a true punk sound.

I like every song on this album but here's the order I put the songs in, from best to worst.

Audience of One
Savior
Hero of War
Whereabout Unknown
Savior
ReEducation
Collapse
Entertainment
From Heads Unworthy
Long Forgotten Sons
The Strength to Go On
The Dirt Whispered
Hairline Fracture

Revolutions Per Minute
The Unraveling
Siren Song
Sufferer
Appeal To Reason

Posted by RedElephant on 2009-07-12 12:55:32
My Score:

this could easily be Rise Against's worst album. still good, and better than a good half the shit being released nowadays.

the artwork is so damn horrible cliché, it hurts.

Posted by dbug on 2009-02-23 15:35:22
My Score:

"Revolutions" still has my best vote but I gotta hand it to these guys. Three albums later and they're still rockin'! I will definitely by their next albums!

Posted by ifgabeldiesiwilldie on 2009-02-15 16:47:52
My Score:

i liked this album i find the poppier songs are very good and i really hope they go on paper and plastick imagine the art amazing

Posted by Wesley_Snipes on 2008-12-27 01:12:49
My Score:

This band sound like Nickelback.

"To sum it up, Appeal To Reason is a fucking wicked album" - RiseAgainst91

I value an unbiased opinion, and must therefore buy this album immediately.

The Trio, the Anthem... They might be Rise's friends, but they're bad bad influences, man!

Posted by historypeats on 2008-10-11 23:40:25
My Score:

Wow - this is the first time in a long time that I've agreed with everything a reviewer wrote.

"I love their new stuff, and I strongly respect Tim for his lyrics.
Maybe if you people stop and read the lyrics, and understood the actual message he is trying to get across, you wouldn't be rambling on about 'their lyrics being weak'."

Oh give me a break. The lyrics aren't anything special and some of them make me cringe because they sound like they were written by a fucking junior high kid. Typical liberal cliche lyrics.

There is no Minor Threat.

So is "Minor Threat' on the 7" the live version or STUDIO???????

Posted by beer on 2008-10-09 19:37:56
My Score:

I thought Rise Against was done-zo after Siren Songs. Then I was laid the fuck out by how great Sufferer was minus the two songs I'm sure everyone else didn't like..and now, I'm back to thinking they have jumped the shark. Some pretty good songs, too much filler...oh, and if you ever want to hear what it would sound like if terrible songwriting and terrible lyrics had a lovechild, check out the acoustic track on this album. I'm pretty sure I wrote that song in 3rd grade.

Posted by 655321 on 2008-10-09 16:21:37
My Score:

Scrore is for me never liking this band

Posted by LinoleumMagazine on 2008-10-09 15:54:44
My Score:

That album cover is tied with Star Fucking Hipsters as worst album cover of the year. Score is for the cover.

God, this band sucks. They have a few good songs here and there, but it all ends up sounding exactly the same, and not in a good, RATM way.

Posted by Cammikazi on 2008-10-09 13:27:40
My Score:

I would agree with the review, good songs are good and the others r pretty mediocore. Revolutions still the best rise against album.I'll still go see them when they come 2 scotland tho since they r playin with anti-flag and flobots

weak

just streamed all the tracks on iTunes, and while they were only 30 second samples, it really does sound THAT bad

looks like 6 stars was way too high

Posted by R3vengeTherapy on 2008-10-09 09:03:56
My Score:

Oh dear god, please die. Nickelback makes me ashamed to be Canadian.

Nickleback makes me ashamed to share a border with Canada. Worst band in the history of the world.

I really think some people are overreacting to how Rise Against sounds these days, and the Nickleback comments are a pretty big stretch.

And that guy who double-posted that big long comment is hilarious. I hope that person really exists.

Also, anyone who likes "The Unraveling" and doesn't own 88 Fingers Louie's "Back on the Streets" needs to wake up and go buy it immediately.

"100 Proof" might be one of the greatest songs ever written. Score is for that album.

Ok, where's the love?
Appeal To Reason kicks arse, as does SSOTCC, RPM, Sufferer & Witness and The Unraveling.
Who gives a shit if Rise Against sound different to when they did back in 2001?
I love their new stuff, and I strongly respect Tim for his lyrics.
Maybe if you people stop and read the lyrics, and understood the actual message he is trying to get across, you wouldn't be rambling on about 'their lyrics being weak'.

I know that Rise Against has made a life changing impact on thousands of people's lives, so I find it very offensive that you bastards are saying that they have basically turned shit.

Rise Against honestly are the best band to hit the face of this fucking earth, and all you non-believing 'fans' of Rise Against should take a look at how you actually come across to people reading these forums.
You don't look like fans at all, but rather selfish pigs who don't have a fucking clue what they are talking about.

To sum it up, Appeal To Reason is a fucking wicked album, and I can't wait for the day I see Tim, Brandon, Joe and Zach live in Sydney, Australia.

Have a good day.
Goodbye.
:)

Ok, where's the love?
Appeal To Reason kicks arse, as does SSOTCC, RPM, Sufferer & Witness and The Unraveling.
Who gives a shit if Rise Against sound different to when they did back in 2001?
I love their new stuff, and I strongly respect Tim for his lyrics.
Maybe if you people stop and read the lyrics, and understood the actual message he is trying to get across, you wouldn't be rambling on about 'their lyrics being weak'.

I know that Rise Against has made a life changing impact on thousands of people's lives, so I find it very offensive that you bastards are saying that they have basically turned shit.

Rise Against honestly are the best band to hit the face of this fucking earth, and all you non-believing 'fans' of Rise Against should take a look at how you actually come across to people reading these forums.
You don't look like fans at all, but rather selfish pigs who don't have a fucking clue what they are talking about.

To sum it up, Appeal To Reason is a fucking wicked album, and I can't wait for the day I see Tim, Brandon, Joe and Zach live in Sydney, Australia.

Have a good day.
Goodbye.
:)

"Does anyone know when the Rise Against / Nickelback tour is happening? Seriously now, mid-paced this mid-tempo that...has anyone heard an English band that put out an album called Ace of Spades? Oh sorry I forgot this was a punk forum."

Oh dear god, please die. Nickelback makes me ashamed to be Canadian.

Does anyone know when the Rise Against / Nickelback tour is happening? Seriously now, mid-paced this mid-tempo that...has anyone heard an English band that put out an album called Ace of Spades? Oh sorry I forgot this was a punk forum.

"88 Fingers Louie quit when they realized that they were the greatest hardcore/skate/punk band of all time. Score is for them.

Yeah, 88FL were fucking awesome. The Unraveling is hard to even consider a "Rise Against" album, since it was just 88FL with Tim singing"

Agreed, I hate how Rise Against fans don't even know 88 Fingers' (if you do, holla props) but yous guys should check them out.

Posted by Drewy69 on 2008-10-08 22:29:09
My Score:

rise against is like my favorite band in the world, but this new album isn't so much punk as it is pop. ya

Anyone remember Jock Jams? That shit was tight.
Dah-Dat-Dah-Dat-Da-Dat-Da-Nuh-nuh-nuh-HEY! Dah-Dat-Da-dah!
-Dante

thrash unreal?

I wish "Thrash Unreal" was that good.
-Dante

Posted by cannsaw on 2008-10-08 18:20:03
My Score:

:'{

"this comes off relatively weak lyrics-wise"

Doesn't surprise me. I don't really listen to them anymore, too many pathetic dumb liberal democrat lyrics that make me wanna puke.

Anyone remember Jock Jams? That shit was tight.
Dah-Dat-Dah-Dat-Da-Dat-Da-Nuh-nuh-nuh-HEY! Dah-Dat-Da-dah!
-Dante

thrash unreal?

Posted by telegraphrocks on 2008-10-08 17:28:09
My Score:

Back up to a 6. It sounds better when you put all your RA shit on shuffle on your mp3 player.

SEVEN-INCH QUESTION: is the version of "Minor Threat" on that bonus 7-inch live or studio recording?

"30$ to see them live.........
need i say more."

Yes you need say more. It's 4 decently-strong bands lined up for this tour. Granted, this new album is a far cry from The Unraveling and Revolutions p.m., they still put on an incredible show.

88 Fingers Louie quit when they realized that they were the greatest hardcore/skate/punk band of all time. Score is for them.

Yeah, 88FL were fucking awesome. The Unraveling is hard to even consider a "Rise Against" album, since it was just 88FL with Tim singing.

So I watched the Re-Education video on youtube and here is one of the comments.

"YAY
Rise Against is coming to my city
and imma going to there concert!! "

I realized I have lost interest in this band. I used to be pretty into them in high school but not anymore.

Posted by paulrulzdood on 2008-10-08 15:10:40
My Score:

"hero of war" is far from a CCR song, go listen to some CCR dude, "hero of war" is easily the worst Rise Against song i've ever heard, super trite.

overall, i find this album pretty average, especially compared to their last 3 albums, all of which I found stellar. It's hard to make 4 sick albums in a row, so give 'em a break.

they do need to step up the aggression again and they're sounding like they're starting to spin their wheels a bit ala Pennywise around "straight ahead" (ironically, their 5th album), just cranking out songs from the Rise Against machine ya know, nothing new, very formulaic. Of course, they also have the type of fanbase that would blast them if they strayed too far from the course.

so stay forumlaic by all means RA, but step it up. I'm sure there's still some more outstanding albums in them. Overall it's good, we just all know they can do better, they have and likely will.

Paul

Kidz Bop > Jock Jams

Anyone remember Jock Jams? That shit was tight.
Dah-Dat-Dah-Dat-Da-Dat-Da-Nuh-nuh-nuh-HEY! Dah-Dat-Da-dah!
-Dante

Posted by friokir on 2008-10-08 12:19:20
My Score:

this comes off relatively weak lyrics-wise when compared to their other shit. the dirt whispered, kotov syndrome, audience of one and savior are killer songs surrounded with lots of filler.

Posted by SilentStorms on 2008-10-08 12:04:33
My Score:

88 Fingers Louie quit when they realized that they were the greatest hardcore/skate/punk band of all time. Score is for them.

abercrombie-core?

Posted by mill83 on 2008-10-08 11:59:13
My Score:

There's nothing more I can say that others haven't already said. Not my favorite, but there are a few standouts in the bland. I just want that awesome speed that SSOTCC and RPM had in spades... gimme my speed!

Still looking forward to the show with Alkly, Thrice and GA. Gonna have to survive more than a few run ins with the Bro-deo, though. There will be Bro's aplenty.

Posted by punkengineer on 2008-10-08 11:28:31
My Score:

It's hard to say this about a band that you really like, but the album is way too long. They could have removed at least 6 or 7 of the songs and replaced them with b-sides (rise against's best songs are all b-sides) and had a very solid album. This is just ok...

30$ to see them live.........
need i say more.

They played "Stained Glass and Marble"

15 seems young, but i was rocking out to BR and Pennywise back in 95 when I was 12. i wouldn't have had a published review then, though.

I'd go see them live again if they stopped pretending The Unraveling (and to some extent, RPM) didn't exsist. What Unraveling song did they play the other night?

Posted by chrisss on 2008-10-08 03:10:15
My Score:

"And I know my writing itself sucks, but I'm only 15. Constructive criticism welcomed."

Holy shit. You were 8 when "The Unraveling" was released. I feel so fucking old.

This album is BLAND. I've forced myself to listen to it three times now and I always forget it's on. Mediocre at best ("Kotov Syndrome" is fast, at least, but I can't remember what it sounds like), unintentionally funny at worst ("hey that sounds...pretty good").

Thankfully, the only time I've ever seen them is when The Unravelling was the newest album.

haha, my cousin is a football player, and he listens to Rise Against to get pumped up for the games

High school football teams are stoked!

Posted by scientistrock on 2008-10-08 01:16:54
My Score:

Last night they played a song off of the Unraveling. This album is like a 6 right now for me. Backwards-hat-rock with a mohawk.

Like noone saw this coming for years and years now?

A phrase in the small letters in Rise's contract: "We agree to sell out and play jock rock"

Posted by R3vengeTherapy on 2008-10-08 00:08:53
My Score:

Good review, and I more or less completely agree with everything said. However, I didn't find much to like when it comes to "Hero of War", it just doesn't do a damn thing for me. It makes me itch for the skip button.

I think whoever said "Late 90's Bad Religion Syndrome" hit the nail on the fucking head, because I've been thinking that ever since their last record, and this pretty much seals the deal. This band is having a hard time evolving and moving in a direction that's going to set them apart in a good way. Their first three records were all great, and all slightly different, but now they're playing this game where they just don't know what kinds of songs they want to write, and it's coming off as stale. And Tim seems to really be digging for lyrics.

I still really like this band, but I'm going to have to say that if their next album is still the same old same old, I'm not going to bother.

if chad price was doing lead, not back-up, vocals, i would be way more interested in this band.

Decent at worst.

Posted by mikeinflames on 2008-10-07 23:09:08
My Score:

jock rock at it's finest. i expect them to go on tour with nickleback very soon.
this band has shit the bed.

Posted by consider_the_ravens on 2008-10-07 22:43:33
My Score:

a very weak album. savior so far is the only song that really stands out for me. it just sounds like regular rise against but more bland and boring. the lyrics to hero of war are so cheesy too

Blah, blah, 59 sound blah blah, drugmoney, blah blah, blah... seriously, though, Tim's lyrics are really not that great at all.

Posted by drugmoney on 2008-10-07 22:28:15
My Score:

whats with all the hate? aslong as tim's writing the lyrics there will never be a terrible rise against album..all this hate coming from people that want to suck off the gaslight anthem. now wanna talk about boring, the 59 sound fucking garbage. ill go see em live cause they kick ass live but ill make sure to not be in a hurry to show up to catch the first band.

Y'know what it is?

It's late-90s Bad Religion syndrome.

Posted by xmoshx1 on 2008-10-07 22:09:58
My Score:

Snore fest.. Which means it will go platinum..

damn, i remember when everyone went apeshit for RPM (including myself) on the org.

i havent heard this yet, and it may be a while before i do. however, rise against is still a rad band to see live.

easily one of the worst bands ever.

Damn. How do you italicize things?

Use these < i >... and then end it with a < / i >, but no spaces.

Thanks a ton for posting this!!

Although I think Jordan at Pastepunk.com said what I was trying to say: They're trying to appeal to too many different factions of their fanbase at the same time, so that, while the individual (Good) songs aren't watered down, the album as a whole is wimpy.

And I know my writing itself sucks, but I'm only 15. Constructive criticism welcomed.

Like it, but don't think i'll ever love it. Much like a step-child.

Not what I had in mind but I still like it

Hero of War is way worse than Swing Life Away

Completely disappointing.

If I wanted to listen to something like this, but better, I'd listen to the last record.

If I wanted to listen to something like the last record, but better, I'd listen to Siren Song.

If I wanted to listen to something like Siren Song, but better, I'd listen to RPM.

What the fuck is this band doing.

Posted by Nap on 2008-10-07 21:45:32
My Score:

Really nothing special!!!

Posted by chickswithdicks on 2008-10-07 21:28:45
My Score:

holy shit dante said something funny.

this album fails on so many levels. tim needs to devote more time to the killing tree.

holy shit colin made a good suggestion.

Posted by loose72 on 2008-10-07 21:22:34
My Score:

Totally agree with the review, I am Still in shock about Denis leaving Zero to Sixty...A big 4 for this of the worst of the RA releases...

wait, nevermind. just figured that one out for myself.

why is the tracklisting for this album different on their myspace player? which is the one you get if you buy the actual cd?

Posted by jacknife737 on 2008-10-07 21:04:48
My Score:

meh, i like it.

Damn. How do you italicize things?

Posted by telegraphrocks on 2008-10-07 20:59:52
My Score:

[i] Eh, back to a 5.

Yeah, it's clearly not as epic as Star Fucking Hipsters... [i]

Damn straight. 'Until We're Dead' is fucking gold.

holy shit dante said something funny.

1 out of 5,000....works for me.
-Dante

Eh, back to a 5.

Yeah, it's clearly not as epic as Star Fucking Hipsters...

I was contemplating buying this today, but after listening to the stream a few more times I decided against it. I have to eat too.

Posted by telegraphrocks on 2008-10-07 19:50:09
My Score:

So I just watched the video for "Re-Education"... score's for Tim's eyes.

Posted by telegraphrocks on 2008-10-07 19:36:49
My Score:

Eh, back to a 5.

Posted by colin on 2008-10-07 19:35:01
My Score:

Oh I'm sorry. It appears someone spilled all their freshman year art school symbolism all over the cover...how embarrassing.

holy shit dante said something funny.

this album fails on so many levels. tim needs to devote more time to the killing tree.

shit sucks, and so does the score

Posted by telegraphrocks on 2008-10-07 19:33:46
My Score:

Shit, this actually went up for me in the last hour! However, I don't see it going higher than a 6.

Good songs: "Collapse", "Kotov Syndrome", "The Dirt Whispered", "Entertainment", "Savior", and the rest are just kind of bland / boring. Not "bad", just not too good.

Worst album from them yet, but still necessarily isn't bad.

Oh I'm sorry. It appears someone spilled all their freshman year art school symbolism all over the cover...how embarrassing.
-Dante

Posted by wyzo on 2008-10-07 19:29:41
My Score:

I have mixed thoughts on this record.

After being initially turned off by Rise Against's first major label record, It took some time for me to even give Sufferer and the witness a spin. Which I ended up liking very much, slick, but honestly a like a slick socal punk song as long as its done well.

So I think this one is better than the first major label LP they did, which I can't get into at all. It isn't in terms of individual songs against individual songs better than Sufferer and the witness, but as an album, it is consistent.

I would like to see a different producer for the next one just for variety.

Posted by mikexdude on 2008-10-07 19:20:32
My Score:

Score's for the obligatory slow song.

I am so disappointed by these guys.

Gotta suck trying to live down an album that's five years old.

Posted by misterspike on 2008-10-07 19:17:05
My Score:

I loved Sufferer, but this sounds like the watered-down b-sides that didnt' make the cut two years ago. Not that it's a bad record, I was just hoping for more.

Also why cant they make a super fast ripping album with all the songs the speed, of "state of the union"? Seriously a loud, fast angry album is what this band needs more than ever. I think it's time to step out of the blasting room and record with someone who will kick them in the ass.

Hey! Leave Bill Stevenson out of this! He recorded A Wilhelm Scream and they're really fast; it's the band, not the recording studio.

Also, the guitar on this album is unbelievably boring. Way too generic, at least Chris Chasse had some interesting melodic approaches.

Considering how shitty The Sufferer & The Witness was, this sounds like a breath of fresh air to me. Closest they've come to Revolutions in years.

Posted by ak3punk on 2008-10-07 19:02:57
My Score:

It's good but not great, alot of the songs sound like b-sides. The songs that are good are awesome, but like he said the songs that suck most certainly do. Some of the songs just fall flat and have no bite to them at all.

Also why cant they make a super fast ripping album with all the songs the speed, of "state of the union"? Seriously a loud, fast angry album is what this band needs more than ever. I think it's time to step out of the blasting room and record with someone who will kick them in the ass.

Posted by TheMarc on 2008-10-07 19:02:28
My Score:

Fair review, and I completely agree. These guys need to crank the aggression back up several notches.

Booooooorrrrrrriiiinnnngggggg....

Sufferer and the Witness was way better.