Rise Against had a big breakthrough in 2004 with Siren Songs of the Counterculture, and returned reliably two years later with a few more radio hits on The Sufferer & the Witness. By that point, the group had established itself as a fairly consistent punk machine, even if the sound was at times predictable. Appeal to Reason doesn't change the formula much (or, at all) and sounds like it could have come from the same sessions as either of the last two albums. The commitments of cross-country touring have not decreased this band's energy at all, and the quality of their songwriting is as strong and heartfelt (or, bleeding heart) as it ever was.If you want proof that Rise Against haven't worn down under major label direction, all you need to do is check out the single "Re-Education (Through Labor)", which has been more or less dominating alternative radio and MTV2 lately. It's not hard to find the distinctive Rise Against flourishes, even if it does sound (as older fans accuse) pretty well geared toward radio. The signature (nearly clichι at this point) tempo shift at the chorus point will surely remind you of a couple of songs from The Sufferer. Depending on your stance, that's either proof that Rise Against can keep it real and stick to their roots or evidence that their stream of ideas may be running dry.
I was thrilled to hear "The Dirt Whispered" for its seemingly intentional nod to Avail's happy brand of hardcore in the bass riff. That's not the only instance of older influences showing up in the mix, either. "From Heads Unworthy" channels some Ixnay-era Offspring with a slight touch of Bad Religion's trademark 'oozin-ahs' to make one of the better choruses of the album. Rise Against have always claimed to be the product of the bands that they love, and it definitely shows.
And while I'm at it, how about what's new (yes, there are a couple of unexpected moments if you look): You've got "Hero of War", the Nightwatchman-leaning folk ballad Rise Against have always had in them, trying to escape. It's like "Swing Life Away" times ten on the not-punk-but-punks-will-like-it scale. There's "The Strength to Go On", which morphs into a waltz about halfway through inexplicably. That little touch was more likely production-based than songwriting-based, seeing as everyone from Panic to Bayside already thought that that was a crazy-fun thing to do. But regardless, it's fun when it happens.
It's tough to overlook the fact that most of this stuff sounds like something you've heard before. When the opening drums of "Kotov Syndrom" kick off, you'll literally think that your iTunes randomly switched to "The First Drop" from Siren Songs. But that's how Rise Against has always been, and there's never been a need to criticize it. This is an album that won't disappoint fans, even if it doesn't really offer anything new.
Don't Believe Me?: www.myspace.com/riseagainst
Recommended If You Like: Rise Against's Siren Songs of the Counterculture, Strike Anywhere, The Offspring
