Rise Against - Appeal to Reason By Cassie Gressell Published: October 25, 2008 PrintEmail
Band: Rise Against Album: Appeal to Reason Label: Geffen Overall Score: 3.5/5
What to Expect: If you’ve heard any of Rise Against’s albums, you don’t need me to tell you what to expect. But just in case you’re unfamiliar with the band – Rise Against specializes in politically fueled punk rock, with the lyrics boasting just as much emotion as intelligence. As much of an oxymoron as "emotional punk" might sound like, Rise Against carry it off well by maintaining their grit and edginess through fast-paced tracks and growled vocals.
High Points: Over the past few albums, Rise Against has proven their ability to write extremely catchy choruses. This gift is further flaunted on Appeal to Reason, with songs like “From Heads Unworthy” and the album’s first single, “Re-Education (Through Labor)” serving as reminders of what Rise Against does best – hard-hitting vocals, jerky guitars, and somewhere beneath it all, a strong melody. “Hero of War” is also worth mentioning, with Rise Against setting aside the electric guitars and pounding beats in favor of a stripped down acoustic track retelling war stories with somewhat sobering results.
Low Points: Rise Against don’t really mix up their style very often, and as a result, tracks on Appeal to Reason begin to run together after the first listen. Outside of that, there are a few missteps, such as “Entertainment” which suffers from an awkwardly rushed delivery.
Should You Buy This: Yes. Rise Against lose their way occasionally and push out some songs that border dangerously close to filler, but more times than not the band succeeds in providing songs that are both catchy and meaningful.
Sounds Like: Strike Anywhere, Bad Religion, The Offspring.
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