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| Appeal to Reason [Ecopack] | ![Appeal to Reason [Ecopack]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61c1wB-TRRL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Artist: Rise Against
Label: DGC / Interscope
Category: Music
List Price: $13.98
Buy New: $9.99
You Save: $3.99 (29%)
New (22) Used (7) from $8.35
Avg. Customer Rating:  47 reviews
Sales Rank: 4048
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.5 x 4.8 x 0.2
MPN: 001190402
UPC: 602517826625
EAN: 0602517826625
ASIN: B001FBSMMQ
Release Date: October 7, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 It's worth the purchase October 9, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Yes Rise Against has changed. It's been 7 years since their debut album, who wouldn't change?. But they aren't pop, they aren't emo. Tim's lyrics are still sharp and meaningful. I'd rather have the Rise Against of today then no Rise Against at all. That being said this cd has some stand outs. "Hero of War" is powerful and the next track "Savior" follows up nicely. If you're a fan of Rise Against then support your band and buy this cd.
Those who own Revolutions Per Minute will be disappointed October 9, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
As Rise Against broke the skin of the mainstream some time after the release of "Siren Songs" with the single "Swing Life Away," it appeared, at least to me, like the petty fame that this band had run into would not ultimately be their destruction like it was for basically ever underground band that makes it big. "Sufferer and the Witness," while not as in-your-face as previous releases, still carries the fist pumping anthems that keeps fans of the underground happy regardless of the major label. The sellout whistle was not yet blown, but I think now it has. "Appeal to Reason" proves what I had been trying to deny for the longest time. Fame DOES ruin every band it touches. Rise Against I thought was the exception to the rule, but all that happened was it took a two year transition period. This CD, I hate to say it, was made for the mainstream and for the radio. It's full of big choruses and power ballads. Tim, who I believe once said "We've always written pop songs and we've always written hardcore songs" has managed to write exactly no hardcore songs at all. In fact, he doesn't use his trademark scream even once until the closing track, but instead, emphasizes his capability to hold a note. Now, let me say this, Tim has one of the best voices out there, and his singing is a gem, but one thing that made him special was the ability to go back and forth from singing to screaming at the drop of a hat without taking away from the song or from his voice, and now that's gone.
Instrumentally, we see a lot of the same Rise Against that we've been given before, which is not a bad thing 'cause they never had an issue laying down the catchy hooks and what not. There is a surprising emphasis on bass here which I find nice; the beginning of "The Dirt Whispered" reminds me a little of "Like the Angel"
The lyrics on this CD are half and half. If every song could have been written as nicely as the opener "Collapse" this would be a fantastic CD, hands down. The issue I have is that Tim no longer seems angry anymore about the state of the planet, even though many songs touch on this subject. He used to put the quote in all the booklets that said "If you're not angry, you're not paying attention" but now not even he sounds angry about the problems we face, he just seems depressed about them. The messages of the songs sometimes get lost in the depressing tone, such as in "Long Forgotten Sons" and "Audience of One," both of which I have seen called highlight tracks but neither of which are. Tim only takes two stabs at fast paced punk rock on this CD, one in the opener, which is the best song on the CD and the only one that I would consider to be truly amazing (aside from "Hero of War" but that's for a different reason), and the other is in "Kotov Syndrome," which is not a terrible song but it just seems like they threw it together at the last minute to give the fans something to mosh to. It's kind of like a generic speed song that instrumentally sounds like "Bricks" but isn't nearly as fun or meaningfully.
I used to cite this band as proof that not ever band that makes it big mellows out, and now I can't do that any more. Anyone who thinks that "Revolutions Per Minute" is better than "Prayer for the Refugee" (ie, anyone who has known about this band before they were on a major label) will be disappointed with this album, and rightfully so. They have abandoned what created their original fanbase in return for a larger, more mainstrean one. (I think there's a term for that, but I won't use it 'cause you all know what it is) Overall, only an okay CD, probably 2 and a half stars.
Also, this has nothing to do with the music, but the back of the book has "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices" as suggestive reading, but this CD was available at Wal-Mart, and for less than it was at FYE. Hypocrits?
 Not what I hoped for, but ok none the less October 9, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I have every Rise Against CD. I love them. One of my favorite things about Rise Against is that you put a CD on for the first time - and just get blown away by song #1, and it never really lets up.
This album doesn't do that. By song 3, I was pretty disappointed, because I was getting nervous that the whole album would be a waste. Well, it's not a waste, and after a few listens, it grew on me more and more. It's a good album, when you consider what else is being released these days - it's nice to have some decent new music. It's no RPM or Siren Songs, but it's good.
I do wish for the more aggressive Rise Against of old, and to be able to crank the volume, roll down the windows and scream along. None of that on this album - and Tim's voice sounds WAY over produced. I was very surprised about that one aspect.
So - in summary, it's an ok album, but, I do think it's the weakest effort of all the Rise Against albums.
 Rise Against delivers yet again October 8, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
It's hard to follow up The Sufferer and the Witness, Rise Against's previous release, but they have proved themselves even more awesome with their latest work. This cd comes out of the gate strong with the fast-paced Collapse (Post-Amerika), Long Forgotten Sons, and Re-Education (Through Labor), all extremely memorable. The next string of good songs is From Heads Unworthy, The Strength To Go On, and Audience of One. This trio of excellence keeps the pace up, while mixing it up a little. Hero of War proves itself as the most moving song on the album, with brilliant lyrics to a message that America needs. Savior and Whereabouts Unknown end the album as strong as it started.
All in all, Appeal To Reason is an amazing attempt from Rise Against, with countless potential singles. Do yourself a favor and go buy this album right now.
MY 2ND RISE ALBUM...NOT BAD... October 8, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Didn't get into them until their last album,which I thought was awesome.So I was curious to hear this one.Had already heard the first single,"Re-Education" which I like a lot.The other songs on this album are good as well.Sounding like The Offspring on a couple of songs.If you are like me and started getting into them on "The Sufferer & The Witness",there is no reason to shy away and get this one now.Just a strong mix of songs from beginning to end.Collapse,Re-Education,Kotov Syndrome,Audience of One,Hero of War and Hairline Fracture are my faves...Enjoy!!!
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