Dig Magazine

Couldn't have said it better myself. Almost perfectly matches my own thoughts.

Ya I'm disappointed that they have deviated so far from the punkyness of RPM. I agree that these songs are more mainstream and "trendy" to suit the radio audience. Perhaps I'm the only one who noticed but there seems to be a lot of "woah-ohs" and such in this album. They're clearly going for the catchy tune thing now. That being said, this is still one of the best albums currently. Most records these days aren't even worth the time spent pirating lol. Don't even get me started on how much Offspring and Metallica have changed for the mainstream.

yes, i agree as well. I love their entire range, from hardcore to less-than-mainstream punk, and I do miss the fast-paced, pounding themes of songs such as Bricks and Drones in Sufferer, and especially Give it All in Siren Song. Appeal to Reason does seem to cater toward a more mainstream ear, which is a bit of a shame but possibly a blessing all in one. Will their newer sound get more people into them as opposed to before? and will that (as it seems the band is aware of already) contort their message or spread it farther?

either way, I hope they keep their composure and focus that many bands under the spotlight seem to have lost.

i feel the album is amazing... hero of war is the new roadside from the last album. overall a well created cd

If you are new to Rise Against, or weren't a big fan of their older stuff, you will probably like this album.

However, if you yearn for the days of The Unraveling and RPM's, you will be majorly disappointed. This is not that Rise Against. This Rise Against has slowed down the pace and cleaned up the tracks, leaving thier older punk roots behind. While they've been on this route for the last two albums, this is a real departure from any of their underground hardcore/post-punk roots, and a big stride into the mainstream.

If you're like me you'll listen to this album once, put it aside, and turn up The Unraveling as loud as you can, making you feel much better about what Rise Against used to be.

You can clearly tell that Rise Against is really trying to become more "radio" on this album. I am a huge fan so I still like it but I could really go for some more heavy stuff than what they offer on this album.

Good beats definitely lacking the intensity and speed of their other albums. Most of their songs are a little to mainstream but Entertainment and Savior are really good if you like their older side.

I LOVEEEE THIS ALBUM.
its perfect
people are saying omg its more softer but who cares. its still great

A tad disappointed to be honest. The album had some strong points, but I miss stuff like Black Masks and Gasoline, Halfway There, State of the Union, Life Less Frightening... my point being i miss the "angry" sounding tunes. Tim cut loose like once on this album, which just isn't Rise Against. I still love Rise Against, but they are drifting towards a friendlier sound, which will lose fans who loved older work, still definitely worth a listen.

I personally enjoyed this album. Although, I do put The Unraveling and RPM as my two favorite albums. I can see the band going towards a more poppy sound, but it's still not to the point of *shudders* the Jonas Brothers... There is still hints of heaviness throughout the album, but the "slow" song of Appeal entitled "Hero of War" is my favorite "slow" song of the three less punky albums (Siren Song, Sufferer and the Witness, and Appeal). Overall, very good album, just wish there was a little more hardcore/punk than the pop.

The 3 songs mentioned at the end are my 3 faves of the album! While Paper Wings and Give it All (both Siren Song) are my fave RA songs, A2R is so catchy and consistent - a punk masterpiece? Dispapointed with Hero of War (its decent but way 2 repetitive and nothing compared 2 Swing Life Away or Roadside)
First 8 songs are all great and so is Saviour (#11). The other 4 are ok but nothing too special IMO. I havent heard their first 2 albums, getting em now! not a big fan of hardcore punk but i love the last 3 albums so it should b interesting..

I hadn't been a fan for a long time and I always stayed away from real heavy music with deep and really fast lyrics where the lead singer screams through it. I feel like in this album they found the right mix of soft and heavy. Every part of the songs stand on their own. No instrument is weak in any of them. I just love that the music is intelligent and has a message.