Appeal to Reason [Ecopack] - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Album Description
STANDARD COLORED VINYL ALBUM - (INCLUDES FULL ALBUM PLUS DIGITAL DOWNLOAD CARD OF MP3'S OF ALL TRACKS)

Chicago's Rise Against is anything but a single-minded musical outfit. An astounding fusion of unhinged power, ear grasping melodies, stimulating lyrics and the ability to reach audienced in both underground and mainstream circles, they have redefined the rules. To date, the band has released four albums plus a rare material EP, and a DVD called Generation Lost. Each of their past two albums have sold just shy of 1/2 million copies in the U.S. with each album garnering three full on Modern Rock radio hits. The first single is 'Re-education (Through Labor)' hit radio airwaves in August 2008.

Album Description
Chicago's Rise Against is anything but a single-minded musical outfit. An astounding fusion of unhinged power, ear grasping melodies, stimulating lyrics and the ability to reach audienced in both underground and mainstream circles, they have redefined the rules. To date, the band has released four albums plus a rare material EP, and a DVD called Generation Lost. Each of their past two albums have sold just shy of 1/2 million copies in the U.S. with each album garnering three full on Modern Rock radio hits. The first single is 'Reeducation (Through Labor)' hit radio airwaves in August 2008.

Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Rousing Music for Difficult Times... October 7, 2008
10 out of 14 found this review helpful

Rise Against has always been fiercely political, but here, they take that motive to new heights, as they did with Sufferer and the Witness. Appeal to Reason is an album about making a statement, and following your beliefs. And for people who are worried they might follow the Bush-lashing trend, you will be pleased with the end result.
Now, we all know Bush messed up. Bad. Rise Against knows it too. But they like to look at the larger picture, touching on everything from American consumerism to violent protesting, as shown in their latest video. And for people who think they are just timothy McVeigh supporters, you are dead wrong. Oh yeah, and there is a song using the words written by an Iraq War soldier as its lyrics. And they are NOT for the war, by any means.
I am tempted to say that this album is better than SATW, but, it's not. Close, though. Long forgotten sons is the highlight of the album, even if it is a bit too AFI-ish. And you will see clear Bad Religion influence running through the album. But it's not necessarily a bad thing.
Kotov Syndrome has to be slightly annoying to me, with its jumpy chorus that is so not Rise Against. Hero of War could easily become the new Swing Life Away, and if anyone pays attention, it could become the rallying statement to end the pointless war that our nation is engaged in. And for anybody deciding whether or not to listen to the album after hearing Re-Education(Through Labor), don't base it on that song. It is not a bad song, but it bewilders me how they chose it as the first single. It oesn't do the album justice.
The Dirt Whispered has to be the worst tune on the album. The lyrics are meaningless, and the music is far too bland, especially for Rise Against. But like I said, the album is worth a look, especially for any Rise Against fan. The biggest issue with the album is that there are no standout songs, such as Prayer of the Refugee or Ready to Fall, but in a way, that makes the album more cohesive.

1 out of 5 stars

These guys should join the military! October 8, 2008
6 out of 17 found this review helpful

This album is terrible, I have been a fan of this band since the beginning and they have lost me now. The song war hero is probably gonna become the taliban national anthem. I know alot of bands hate the government and sing about politics, but there is no need to go after the troops. There guys just stepped on every soldiers face, what a joke, I will never go see these guys again. I'm glad a just burned the album and didnt spend any money on it.

5 out of 5 stars

One of the best albums of 2008 October 7, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Rise Against have nailed it yet again with their third major label album. With powerful vocals and a strong political message, Rise Against have created another masterpiece. They definitely aren't afraid to stray a little from their hardcore style and into a slower, more melodic genre, but they also aren't afraid to express their feelings, and express them well.

I give this album 4.5 stars(can't pick it, but 4 is not enough) because RA have only improved from their last release, and improvement is the greatest virtue in a band's music career. However, the only advice I'd have for the band is to not stray too far from their fast hardcore roots. Mid-tempo songs are good, but I have every confidence that RA will speed up their tempos a little on their next release. However, for now, I commend the band because they've still stayed, for the most part, true to their hardcore/punk roots, while also getting great popular reception with Appeal to Reason.

1 out of 5 stars

dont buy it, stay away October 7, 2008
5 out of 15 found this review helpful

I have been a fan of rise against for some time and I have always known their political beliefs were far to the left. The band has steped over the line this time with the song war hero. I could care less that they claim it was written by an iraqi war veteran, the song is wrong. I have three tours undert my belt, two being in Iraq. This song insults me, my fellow soldiers, and the country that we fight for. The music on the cd is ok. I liked the last 2 cds better, but will be returning this one. the only way a band could put this type of garbage on a cd is if they hate the military and those who serve in it. I do not care what your political beliefs are, do not insult the service members. Say anything you want about politicians, leave me alone. Since thissong will probably be played at the show here in Las Vegas., I will have to sell the tickets me and my buddies already have. If I heard this song live, I would kick the crap out of the person singing it. All respect has been lost for rise against.

4 out of 5 stars

Rise Against - Appeal to Reason 8/10 October 7, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Pop-punk has always been a fairly trivial, disrespected genre; even the combination of such wildly divergent descriptors as "pop" and "punk" was more than a little odd. On one hand of the spectrum you had bands like Good Charlotte and Simple Plan, bands that took the rapid-fire, up-tempo rhythms and power-chord angst of their predecessors and paired them with bratty, candy-coated pop song structures and high-pitched sentiments. On the other hand, you had bands that retained the melodic integrity of punk and their poppier brethren but took inspiration from the furious, challenging, and socially conscious hardcore bands of the `80s, such as Fugazi and Bad Religion. As anyone who has listened to Rise Against's previous albums, they fall much more squarely in the latter department, yet with Appeal to Reason, their 5th record, they lean even more into the poppier realm without leaving behind the politically-charged lyrics of their previous releases.

The addition of new guitarist Zach Blair has done nothing to dull their obvious musical fire; opener "Collapse (Post Amerika)" announces itself with a squall of feedback before erupting into a blistering solo and an unrelenting drumbeat as singer Tim McIlrath's vicious yet controlled roar snarls "this is not a test / this is cardiac arrest." One of the most immediately apparent improves on Appeal to Reason is McIlrath's delivery, as the talented vocalist now stays away from the tuneless screaming that often characterized their peers and continues to focus on leading the melody.

Songs like lead single "Re-Education (Through Labor)" and the astounding "The Dirt Whispered" showcase McIlrath's versatility and his ability to overcome the cacophonous storm of the instruments below him. Unfortunately, when he is confronted with songs that never interest musically and the band tinkers too much with the production ("From Heads Unworthy," "The Strength To Go On"), his vocals tend to remind one of a slightly more punkish Nickelback, a comparison that should definitely not be taken as a compliment.

Rise Against have also not forgotten that this is an election year, and the majority of the album reflects their stance that, uh, President Bush sucks. The aforementioned "Collapse" hopes that "this is a chance to set things straight," while the undeniably angry McIlrath rages on "Entertainment" that "all we are is entertainment / caught up in our own derangement / tell us what to say and what to do." And perhaps the most touching song on the record, if not the best, is the mostly acoustic "Hero of War," a song about a soldier, is patriotic and critical at the same time, as all great protest anthems try to be.

And so what Rise Against have produced with Appeal to Reason is at once your typical punk protest record, one that at times blurs together with repetitive bursts of guitar and propulsive, standard hardcore beats, but for the most part stands on its own plateau of McIlrath's righteous indignation, melodies that don't quit, and a sense of energy that is far more tangible and real than that of their mall-punk neighbors. Rise Against are on a streak for a fickle genre of even more fickle fans, and Appeal to Reason is another strong effort by a band on the way to the top of their game.

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