Review: Rise Against - Appeal to Reason

Artist: Rise Against
Album: Appeal to Reason
Label: Geffen
Released: 10/7/2008

BSTscore: 88

It’s still a bit strange for me to think of Rise Against as mainstream, but with their 5^th studio album, the band is bigger than ever. I never thought I’d be listening to the same music as my 12 year old niece, but I guess that’s testament to the band’s ability to reach a wide array of listeners. As someone who has followed the band from the beginning, I can’t say that Appeal to Reason is the band’s best release, but it certainly does not disappoint.

Rise Against’s strength has always been driving melodies with a little dash of pop hook here and there. Their song structures won’t overwhelm you, but that’s what makes it so catchy. I definitely think the band has stuck with what works for them, without dumbing things down to sell records. While I do think there is definitely a radio appeal to their sound, they didn’t change anything to get there. It may not be revolutionary, but it’s effective. I’m being nitpicky, but while the acoustic “Hero of War” is a tremendously honest (if not ironic) song, I’m not sure if the band needs this style of “token” song on every album. As long as it is effective, I guess it’s hard to argue.

Vocalist Tim McIlrath still has one of my favorite voices in the punk genre. His unique harmony blends flawlessly with the band’s sound. His lyrics, while at times politically charged, are not as edgy on this release (except “Hero of War”). You certainly won’t be confusing this for Strike Anywhere or Boy Sets Fire. Just don’t take his ability to deliver passionate messages for granted.

Overall, Appeal to Reason played out much differently for me personally. Typically, I can listen to a Rise Against album as a whole and enjoy it from start to finish. With this release, I found myself breaking it down into 2 parts; the poppy, radio-friendly first half, and the melodic, passionate second half. Of course my preference is for the later half. Songs such as “Audience of One”, “Savior”, and “Whereabouts Unknown” highlight this half of the album.

Musicianship: 85
Vocals: 90
Creativity: 85
Impact: 90

Favorite Song: “Hairline Fracture”

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