Rise Against: Appeal To Reason

Re-Education (Through Labor) - Rise Against

Rise Against grew up on a steady diet of Black Flag,

Descendents, and Minor Threat, but with 2004's "Swing Life Away," the Chicago

band demonstrated that by translating such influences to acoustic guitar, it

could find a surprisingly warm reception at mainstream radio. Two years later, The

Sufferer & The Witness proved the band could sustain mass appeal not just through ballads, but

through a string of faster, more politically charged singles that flirted with

modern rock without forsaking the band's hardcore roots. On Appeal To Reason, however, that flirtation gives way

to full-on romance: After a charging opener, "Collapse (Post-Amerika)," that finds vocalist Tim McIlrath belting out

America-as-Rome metaphors in especially galvanizing form, Rise Against

downshifts into a series of mid-paced tunes (including another acoustic ballad,

"Hero Of War") that use melodic-hardcore traditions primarily as exclamation

points. Longtime fans need not worry: Uptempo anthems like "Savior," "Kotov

Syndrome," and "Entertainment" should satisfy anyone still uneasy about Rise

Against's radio aspirations. And for the wider world that may have trouble

swallowing a song accusing the Bush administration of fascism (first single

"Re-Education (Through Labor)"), some wah-wah pedals, a big chorus, and a bit

of post-grunge sheen provide the necessary spoonful of sugar.