Loooove RA
by LeeB on 2022-04-19Big Four Roadhouse - CalgaryRating: 4 out of 5Great lineup top to bottom with RA putting on their usual excellent show. The venue is subpar though, mostly it’s a warehouse with less than hoped for sound.
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About
The lies are inescapable. On every screen, the merchants of disinformation exert their cruel dominion. There is the queasy sense that we're drowning in a slipstream of screeching noise and mindless ephemera. The water is rising. The ground is shaking. The shadows are long and the lights are low. It's the perfect time for a new album from Rise Against.
Few bands have ever been as accurately named as the Chicago punk quartet. While fleeting styles and fashionable imitations have entered and exited vogue, Rise Against have remained a north star of artful resistance. While continuously updating their formula, they've sustained their original spirit of rebellion over a quarter century - amassing a body of work that doubles as a chronicle of our collective unraveling. Melodic hardcore detonations co-exist in perfect tension with dire warnings about the looming dystopia. And on their latest Loma Vista release, Ricochet, they've made what might be their most visceral, urgent, and high-stakes song cycle.
In the four years since Rise Against's last opus, the world has continued to be torn asunder by shameless falsehoods, brazen greed, and episodes of shocking cruelty. This devolution has not gone unnoticed by the band. Ricochet takes these crises under the scope and dissects them with lucid clarity, raw emotion, and global perspective. Amidst a period of nationalist aggression and isolationism, the album reflects on our own interconnectivity. A form of chaos theory in which our unruly actions and anger wreak havoc in ways that aren't always easily understood.
"We rely on each other, whether we like it or not," Rise Against lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and lyricist, Tim McIlrath says. "Everything that you do will affect somebody. We're connected to other countries and other economies; we're connected to undocumented immigrants. We're connected to every decision that our leaders make. We are not as isolated as we think. What we do, good or bad, creates one big ricochet effect."
The album's gestation started after the marathon tours for 2021's Nowhere Generation. In their trademark fashion, McIlrath and the band's other songwriter, bassist Joe Principe, reconvened to gather and compare notes. When the ideas began cohering, they entered the studio with lead guitarist Zach Blair and drummer Brandon Barnes, with the stated goal of relinquishing the notion of what a Rise Against song needed to sound like. Enlisting producer Catherine Marks (Boygenius, St. Vincent), they trusted her vision to expand upon their naturally colossal rippers. While mixing engineer Alan Moulder (Nine Inch Nails, Paramore, The Killers) added a sophisticated and atmospheric touch to the finished product.
You can hear the subtle shift most acutely on "I Want It All" and the album's title track. The former is an infectious headbang-ready riff that almost sounds like a long-lost '70s FM radio classic from the Kinks (if the Davies brothers had somehow been raised on Fugazi). While "Ricochet" opens with slinky drum machine claps that feint towards electro-clash before swiftly ascending into a sky-rattling Kevlar anthem that should make arenas consider paying a higher premium of roof insurance before booking the band.
On "Nod," the album's first single, Rise Against capture the emotional turbulence shrouding the current zeitgeist ("the line...drawn between dreams and nightmares is thin like a razor"). Rolling Stone rhapsodized that it's a "particularly potent rallying cry for the moment." Vice raved that it was the "anthem that we need now" - one featuring Rise Against at their best - "passionate, confident, and encouraging." The second salvo, "Prizefighter," is a propulsive burner that invokes a boxing metaphor to explore the connection between an artist and their fanbase. Balancing introspection with the incendiary, the song builds on the characteristic duality of the band's previous Platinum and Gold-certified classics.
It's this three-dimensional nuance that has allowed Rise Against to write some of the most important rock songs of their generation. On Ricochet, McIlrath's lyrics navigate many of the most pressing crises of the moment, offering unerring righteousness without sanctimony, and empathy without letting malefactors off the hook. They cover apocalyptic scenarios ("Black Crown") and false promises sold to the youth ("Gold Long Gone"), the necessity of resisting blind allegiance ("Soldier"), mental health ("Sink Like a Stone"), and the sensationalism of the algorithmic entertainment-industrial complex ("State of Emergency). Throughout it all, there is a cautious optimism for real lasting change.
"The fight for a better world almost always starts with an unpopular opinion or a minority of voices," McIlrath says. "When you feel overwhelmed, when it feels like it's you against the world, it's important to remember that every resistance movement started as a small and passionate group. Our songs may take you to a dark place, but there's always breadcrumbs of hope to help get you out of there."
Like the band's literary hero, George Orwell, they have absorbed the maxim that "in a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act." Ricochet is a success at simplest level: a collection of indelible rock and roll songs with infectious hooks that sound best played at eardrum-shattering volume. But it also functions as something more profound: a document of artists capturing the chaos of the moment, articulating complex truths with seismic power, and an awareness of the consequences that may befall us. This is an album built to be a part of the solution.
-Jeff Weiss
Setlists
- 1.Re-Education (Through Labor)
- 2.Under the Knife
- 3.Give It All
- 4.Help Is on the Way
- 5.The Good Left Undone
- 6.Prayer of the Refugee
- 7.Swing Life Away (Tim Mcllrath acoustic lead into full band for last chorus)
- 8.I Want It All
- 9.Satellite
- 10.Audience of One
- 11.Savior
- 1.Re-Education (Through Labor)
- 2.Under the Knife
- 3.Give It All
- 4.Help Is on the Way
- 5.The Good Left Undone
- 6.Prayer of the Refugee
- 7.Swing Life Away
- 8.Nod
- 9.Satellite
- 10.Ready to Fall
- 11.Savior
- 1.Re-Education (Through Labor)
- 2.Under the Knife
- 3.Give It All
- 4.I Don't Want to Be Here Anymore
- 5.The Good Left Undone
- 6.Prayer of the Refugee
- 7.Swing Life Away
- 8.Ricochet
- 9.Satellite
- 10.Make It Stop (September's Children)
- 11.Savior
- 1.Re-Education (Through Labor)
- 2.Under the Knife
- 3.Give It All
- 4.Help Is on the Way
- 5.The Good Left Undone
- 6.Prayer of the Refugee
- 7.Swing Life Away
- 8.I Want It All
- 9.Satellite
- 10.Audience of One
- 11.Savior
- 1.Re-Education (Through Labor) (Extended Bridge W/Zach Blair solo)
- 2.Under the Knife
- 3.Give It All
- 4.Help Is on the Way
- 5.The Good Left Undone (W/extended bridge)
- 6.Prayer of the Refugee
- 7.Nod
- 8.Swing Life Away
- 9.Satellite
- 10.Ready to Fall
- 11.Savior
Freakin’ Amazeballs (as per usual)
by Katelyn on 2022-04-19Big Four Roadhouse - CalgaryRating: 5 out of 5These guys crush every time. It’s the 4th time I’ve seen them and they never fail to put on an epic show. Sound was awesome, band is more awesome. Just all around - can you guess? - f*cking awesome.
Amazing
by Vbhard on 2022-04-19Big Four Roadhouse - CalgaryRating: 5 out of 5Rise against is so good, the big 4 building is a great venue too.
10/10
by TGIForrester on 2022-04-19Big Four Roadhouse - CalgaryRating: 5 out of 5This was of the best concerts i have ever been to (i have been to over 200) and ive seen Rise 4 times now. The energy, the peoppe, and one of my alltime favorite bands with one of my favorite high-school bands. It brought a tear to my eye. Rise Against rules. Pennywise rules. Concerts rule!!
Great Performance... But
by Coheed on 2022-04-19Big Four Roadhouse - CalgaryRating: 5 out of 5It was a stellar performance with a great line up... However... The overall sound quality of the venue is terrible. Absolute dreadful in-fact. I realize being dead center at the front you compromise a fair amount of quality for an experience. But this venue was different than most others I have been too. I heard maybe 50% of the show. Make no mistake... I had a blast at the front getting kicked in the head by crowd surfers etc... But going forward I will avoid the Big Four Roadhouse unless there are some pretty huge names booked there that truly peak my interest.
Big four sucks
by Bryan Adams on 2022-04-19Big Four Roadhouse - CalgaryRating: 1 out of 5Pennywise played the shortest set list, followed by a set Rise Against that sounded like garbage. The acoustics in that building blow.
Great show
by Justin V on 2022-04-19Big Four Roadhouse - CalgaryRating: 4 out of 5Really great show with great music. Only reason it gets 4 stars was the equipment. Very distorted speakers when it came to vocals and I feel bad for the singers because the mic kept cutting out. Other than that amazing show. Rise against did not disappoint
BEYOND AMAZING
by Kass on 2022-04-19Big Four Roadhouse - CalgaryRating: 5 out of 5The title speaks for itself! Sound was amazing. Great atmosphere and venue! Definitely looking forward to seeing them live again !
Venue
by Maurice on 2022-04-19Big Four Roadhouse - CalgaryRating: 1 out of 5Band was to be as expected. Pennywise was awesome but the venue is not made for concerts. there is a massive concrete post about 20' out dead center of the stage. You need to be at an angle to see anything. Outside would have been better than staring at a concrete pillar with a band behind it. They also refuse to let the smokers outside so they all end up smoking inside. (For the record I am not a smoker.) Not sure what that rule was supposed to accomplish but its actual result was that we had to breath cig smoke all night. Thumbs up to the liberal smoking nazi that thought that one out.....
Pretty Good
by A on 2022-04-19Big Four Roadhouse - CalgaryRating: 3 out of 5Energy was good Band sounded a bit rough live Bar lineups were painfully slow
5 stars 100%
by Reggena on 2022-04-19Big Four Roadhouse - CalgaryRating: 5 out of 5I see them everytime they come to Alberta. The energy at these shows never disappoint. I enjoy them so much, I see more shows in the future.
I loved it!!!
by Melvin on 2022-04-19Big Four Roadhouse - CalgaryRating: 5 out of 5Everyone was there for the same thing and looked out for one another. I love rise againts so its a given I would adore the songs but it was even better then i imaged!
No seating is no good
by Meesh on 2022-04-19Big Four Roadhouse - CalgaryRating: 3 out of 5The band was amazing, as usual. But the venue, ugh… standing on concrete for hours.. I have a bad back, does that mean I can no longer attend concerts? Why are no seating options available? The Big Four sucks.
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE
by Danica on 2022-04-19Big Four Roadhouse - CalgaryRating: 5 out of 5They are one of the only bands in this world that i will pay anything to see, everytime. Absolutely mind blowing and get better with age. So nostalgic, and the speeches truly bring tears to your eyes. Such a wholesome and amazing band throughout their entire career. Forever will be my favorite band.
Rise Against! Stellar as usual.
by RiseRiseRise on 2018-10-05Grey Eagle Event Centre - CalgaryRating: 5 out of 5Rise Against were perfect and stellar and put on a fabulous show as per usual. Their LIVE shows absolutely do not disappoint. From their message, their stage presence, the intensity of the songs, and how strongly they stand by their convictions, their shows are always stunning. They come to Calgary quite often (every year or couple of years) and I will go every single time. Anti-Flag! AFI (!!!) OMG, both of these bands can absolutely stand on their own and could easily headline on their own tour. AFI also could have easily headlined this one, it could have been more of a co-headlining tour in my opinion. It's amazing that they were even here, it has been many many years since the last time. The only downside is the venue. While the venue itself is a really great and large space and it's laid out well for a concert, it's really far from everything. Transit isn't very accessible (it's on the reserve so there's no super close Calgary Transit stop), and the parking is not ideal. Nearly 2 hours on transit from the north is not an option. Especially late at night. Maybe a shuttle from a train station should be in place? If you drive, you either have to leave early, leave super late, or literally be stuck waiting at least a half an hour in a lineup to get out since there's only one single lane road in and out. They should invest in better routes such as maybe dual lanes or even another road out of the venue. Neither of these options are good for transit or driving. It makes me second guess on going whenever there's any even at the Grey Eagle and if it's anything that's really worth it.
- by Anonymous on 2018-09-25Edmonton EXPO Centre - EdmontonRating: 2 out of 5
This was first time when i didn't enjoy the event! Can't say nothing bad about band, it is all about the place. Edmonton EXPO AWFUL! The sound was terrible. Please don't allow EXPO to make any other musical events. The building doesn't suit well for such things.
AFI rocked better...
by JZ000 on 2018-09-25Edmonton EXPO Centre - EdmontonRating: 4 out of 5A really good bill - three good bands. Unfortunately the sound in the venue is not the best, acceptable though. Fair amount of space but the beverage lines were insanely long and lots of waiting time. Not a fan of too many ballads for Rise Against and felt too much slow stuff towards the end made it more mellow instead of sending everyone home pumped up that it was a good night. It was a good concert and a lot of fun. Would have been cool to have some seating since it was open concept general admission (so between sets leaning against the walls was generally the option). Anti Flag was great and AFI rocked!
- by RyePie27 on 2018-09-24Edmonton EXPO Centre - EdmontonRating: 4 out of 5
Anti-Flag was AMAZING and INCREDIBLE Rise against was not too shabby either.
Rise Against delivers!
by soulpole on 2018-09-24Edmonton EXPO Centre - EdmontonRating: 5 out of 5This was my 4th time seeing Rise Against and every show has been amazing. The only downside with this show was the vocals were very hard to make out.
Rise Against continue to deliver solid shows
by Scottbanger on 2018-09-24Edmonton EXPO Centre - EdmontonRating: 5 out of 5I feel like I see Rise Against every year. I keep going back, and they never disappoint. Anti-Flag and AFI were great openers, that people actually wanted to see. What a concept! I'll continue to see Rise Against as long as they continue to come to town.