Album Review
Rise Against – “Appeal To Reason”
The new release from Rise Against, Appeal To Reason, reads like a social commentary on the state of affairs in the world. Tackling subjects such as global warming, the war in Iraq and the economy the band offers up a vicious tirade against a majority of the current events going on all around us.
The new release from Rise Against, Appeal To Reason, reads like a social commentary on the state of affairs in the world. Tackling subjects such as global warming, the war in Iraq and the economy the band offers up a vicious tirade against a majority of the current events going on all around us.
The opening track, “Collapse (Post-Amerika)” gets things started as singer Tim McIlrath belts out lyrics that paint a portrait of the dire straights we are in environmentally. “When the air that we breathe becomes air that we choke/When the marsh fever spreads from the swamps to our homes/When your home on the range has been torn down and paved and the buffalo roam to a slaughterhouse grave/What more will it take?”
One of the tracks that struck a nerve with me was “Hero Of War,” a chilling tale of war and its effects on all of those impacted by it. This is a powerful song that resonates long after the final note. “I yelled my commands the children they cried/But I got my man, they took him away/a bag over his face from his family and friends/They took off his clothes/They pissed in his hands/I told them to stop/But then I joined in/We beat him with guns/And batons not just once/But again and again/A hero of war, Yeah that’s what I’ll be”
Musically this is a great sounding record that gets better with each listen. Even if you are not politically inclined in the least bit, Appeal To Reason stands on its own as a good effort but if you are socially conscious at all this is a record that will speak to you in volumes and one that even though is a bit radical at times is easy to align yourself with.
The artwork is simple, yet abstract and looks as if it has been yellowed, aged and stained. In the booklet, you will plenty of quotes from authors and historical figures including one from The Declaration Of Independence that says, “That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it.”
Appeal To Reason is a solid, disc chock full of good songs, that grow on you the more you listen. This disc has many layers to it. On one layer, it functions as a very good hard rock/metal album. On another level is functions as a socio-political commentary and at its basest level it functions as a damn good record that just seems to grow on you the more you listen. [ END ]
Track Listing:
01. Collapse (Post-Amerika)
02. Long Forgotten Sons
03. Re-Education (Through Labor)
04. The Dirt Whispered
05. Kotov Syndrome
06. From Heads Unworthy
07. The Strength To Go On
08. Audience Of One
09. Entertainment
10. Hero Of War
11. Savior
12. Hairline Fracture
13. Whereabouts Unknown
Run Time: 48:26
Release Date: 10.07.2008
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