Rise Against – Appeal To Reason – review

Artist: Rise Against

Title: Appeal To Reason

Label: Interscope

Rating: 0/10

Corporate line:
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 audiences 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 good:
“Audience of One” – This is where Rise Against are at their Goo-ey best. Rise Against have some serious Goo Goo Dolls flavor on this song. It has the biggest potential for mass consumption. Whether that is good or bad is a matter of taste–but it seems that Rise Against has been chasing a hit throughout the album.

“The Dirt Whispered” – The rare occasion where a song feels like it has some soul–yet it still sounds far too much like every other song on the album.

The rest:
“Collapse (Post-Amerika)” – There is some passion and a message–but you’ve heard it all before except with more poignancy. Where are the Sex Pistols when you need a revolution?

“Forgotten Sons” – Rise Against shoots for an epic but settle for average.

“Entertainment” – The definition of filler.

Finally:
The biggest issue with Rise Against’s “Appeal To Reason” is that it doesn’t sound so new. Sadly, Rise Against doesn’t take a big enough risk. So instead of going more for a Bad Religion or Sex Pistols potency they settle for radio songs in a bad attempt at being the Goo Goo Dolls. Unfortunatly, Rise Against end up stuck in the middle of nowhere by playing it safe.