Rise Against, 'Appeal to Reason' (DGC/Interscope)
Chicago punks preach loudly and proudly to the choir.
By David Peisner 10.13.08 3:39 PM
"There is no middle ground, no compromise," Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath howls on "Collapse (Post-Amerika)," the appropriately doomy opening blast on the band's fifth album. While such fist-pumping stridency might be politically counterproductive, for leftist punk rockers it's a reasonable governing philosophy. Unfortunately, the lack of nuance extends to the music itself. With the exception of the folky, poignant "War Hero," everything just hurtles along at the same breakneck speed. There's very little wrong with these fierce, engagingly tuneful stomps, but piled atop one another, Appeal to Reason feels less like an appeal to reason and more like the beating of a dead horse.
gotta disagree i really liked this cd and i recently saw them live. They were so good live, it was one of the best shows i've seen in a while.
I would agree with shitstorm. this album was great. i gave it 5 stars without a doubt. I think it is funny that the review said that it went along at breakneck speed. that is what they do on every cd and live. if they would have done something with some slower stuff they would have all of a sudden been sell outs. Granted they dont want to do anyhting slower. they do what they do and they dont got time for the bull shit, just to the point. And lets not rip a band for actually writing songs about things they feel strongly about. Better then mindless songs that haunt the radio these days by people who dont even wright there own music in this American Idol world that most of us live in. Its reall sad to see, but at least a band is doing there thing and staying consistent.
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