Four punk rockers from Chicago combined their musical talents to create this melodic hardcore/emotional punk band known as Rise Against. Their new disc, Revolutions Per Minute is a CD which will become a classic in my mind, and definitely one of my top 10 of 2003 so far. The heavy guitar rhythms play in perfect harmony with the catchy guitar riffs provided Joe Principe (bass) and Todd Mohney (guitar) creating a sound which is perfect in it's own way. My single negative comment about this album is that at times the drumming is a little bit too hard and overpowers the rest by way too much, otherwise it is excellent. Vocally, Tim Mcllrath is amazing. Slightly harsh, while keeping a melodic feel to it at all times. Lyrically, Rise Against is once again a master of that domain. Powerfully emotional lyrics about hard times and personal problems.
Now, just to get this off my chest. Track 5, Like The Angel is just a freaking amazing song. My absolute favorite on the album and one of my favorites at this moment in time. If you are not sure if you want to pick up this album, listen to this track on the Warped Tour 2003 compilation on disc 2, and you'll fall in love right away. Starting off with a melodic bass melody, they pick up it a bit as the vocals enter, still keeping a nice peaceful sound to it. The vocals are the biggest standout on it. So incredibly powerful and catchy, with a perfect amount of backup vocals at key moments. It is truly a masterpiece and the number one track on this album. My second favorite is the next song, Voices Off Camera:. Once again, the vocals are so powerful, they place in a state of awe and amazement once you hear it. The beat is fantastic, only downside is that at the beginning the drums are a little too powerful, otherwise a perfect song. With some changes in pace at good times, always done in a professional and experienced way. Two amazing songs one after another.
Broken English, the eighth track is another one which always stands out for me. Not so much for the beat, as I believe they could do a bit better, the drumming is a little too fast at moments compared to the rest of the song. The thing that really grabs my attention is the second verse. Around the minute 20 mark, it slows down and gets softer with a nice little drum beat in the background as Tim goes through his soft vocals. Amber Changing, the twelfth track, and final one on the track listing is another once which I enjoy. A softer song for the most part, with a nice beat in the background and steady vocals, the chorus they pick it up a bit; making a nice louder sound. It is a nice song to "end" the album with.
Something which you may not know is that there is a bonus track called Anyway You Want It. A more of a pop-punk song, with catchy vocals sung by all three vocalists. Around 1:40 in, there is a cool bass solo before the vocals re-enter. Now this is a better way to finish the album on.
Like I said at the start, this is an album which I love, and will most likely be in my top 10 of 2003 at the end of the year. I really recommend you pick it up.
Recommended:
Yes