Rise Against, rocking
by mandi on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 4 out of 5the river boat gamblers were okay.. their soundsystem wasnt all that great. Rancid and Rise Against was A.MAZE.ING. haha
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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
Rise Against rocked!!!
by sweetgurl878 on 2009-07-14Prairieland Park - SaskatoonRating: 4 out of 5The concert was pretty awesome, the opening acts (Rancid, Riverboat Gamblers) were pretty cool too. The stage was set up very nicely, I liked that there were picnic tables to sit on too if you got tired of rockin' out! XD. Haha. Overall this concert was 4/5, because it was great, but could have been better.
Sound System Upgrade Please!
by SeetherGirl on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 3 out of 5RANCID and Rise Against were awesome. Riverboat Gamblers were a total waste of time, even garnering some very loud "you suck" screams from the audience. The real problem with the show wasn't the performances by the co-headliners though, it was the sound system- we literally didn't hear a word of the show in the second level seats. The show was mid bowl, and still wasn't sold out, so as much as I love these bands, their sound set-up would have been better suited in a smaller venue than Rexall. They really are bands that deserve to have everyone moving, so a smaller venue with General Admission would really be the best way to see them.
Great show, wish I was on the floor.
by ChopperB on 2009-07-14Stampede Corral - CalgaryRating: 4 out of 5Amazing performace as always by Rise Against. Agressive and fast paced, very exciting to watch. Rancid was a great opener! First time seeing them and would definitely see again. Very upset that they had seating that did not have access to the floor. Made it feel as I was watching from afar and wasn't as involved in the show.
Amazing!
by Rohied on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 5 out of 5This was the first time I had seen Rise Against in concert, it was by far the best concert I had ever gone to, they were amazing!. i wasnt to much of a fan of Rancid, and the Riverboat gamblers, but they sounded great :D 5/5!!
Rise Against\Rancid
by Nineteen on 2009-07-14Prairieland Park - SaskatoonRating: 4 out of 5The concert was excellent from start to finish. The Riverboat Gamblers got it started with a very good set and then the band mingled with the crowd after. Rancid was next and stole the show. Rise against closed it out and were very good as well.
rise against was so amazing
by Dane on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 5 out of 5the warm up bands rancid an river boat gamblers wheren't very good but the main act rise against was amazing every song was good good energy good stage presence good everything
Great Concert!
by jmctaylor on 2009-07-14Stampede Corral - CalgaryRating: 4 out of 5The Rise Against concert was the first one I had seen at the Corrall. It was a great venue for them. Great sound and great atmosphere.
Rise and Rancid Rocked!
by brajorie on 2009-07-14Pacific Coliseum - VancouverRating: 5 out of 5All I can say is that was the BEST concert i've ever been to, both Rancid and Rise were unreal, will see them again for sure!
Rise Against Rocks Once Again!!!
by Hamish on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 5 out of 5This was the 5th time I have seen Rise Against in concert and they never cease to amaze me. They are a band that no matter how many times you hear their music or see their shows its will always be unforgetable. This was the first time I have seen Rancid live and as big of a rise againt fan as I am they came close to stealing the show, I will definitely see them again. The Riverboat Gamblers are one of the better opening bands I have seen. I normally don't expect much from the opening band and I had never heard of them before that night. But they were good, I definitely enjoy their music and if they were to come to a small venue in edmonton I would go see them again.
Rancid-Rise Against
by Thatguyatthatshow on 2009-07-14Prairieland Park - SaskatoonRating: 4 out of 5Rancid Was amazing, great show. Even though they are getting older they still put on a kick ass show. Played songs from all of there albums so I really enjoyed that. Was to drunk to remeber most of Rise Against but what I remember was pretty good.
Awesome
by Shot on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 4 out of 5My 4 friends and I went to the concert. Our seats were good, in the lower level, straight in front of the band. We enjoyed the band a lot. The music was good, although maybe a bit too loud. Rexall Place was a great venue for the concert. It is large and provides everything needed for a large concert. We would definately go to another concert at Rexall Place.
rancid rocks
by lowelife on 2009-07-14Pacific Coliseum - VancouverRating: 4 out of 5awesome concert!! riverboat gamblers were suprisingly good. rancid rocked the house!!!
Rancid was amazing
by FixTicketShowtimes on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 4 out of 5The show was awesome, but I was extremely frustrated being that EVERY other show i've ever been to the time on the tickets is the DOOR TIME, not the START TIME... So the tickets said 7, we showed up at 8 figuring bands wouldn't come on till 8 - so we missed the first band...
Rise Against blew my mind!
by Bee214 on 2009-07-14Stampede Corral - CalgaryRating: 5 out of 5I thought the concert was fantastic. The riverboat gamblers were very good and energetic, rancid was alright but not completely my type of music. But rise against was just insane. The crowd was so energetic and they were amazing. When they played hero of war my heart just melted. And the ppl mosh pitting gave us a good laugh. Although we stuck out from the crowd appearance wise ( no weird piercings or spikey hair on us) my cousin and i enjoyed the show immensely :)
rise against dissapointed
by pumba1 on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 2 out of 5One of my favorite bands was my least favorite concert. The performance was ok, though a little bit lacluster. The sound was weak. We were sitting in the upper deck and straight across from the stage and were able to carry on a conversation normally. The music was not definable and the vocals were barely recognizable.
An excellent double bill
by ryanbatty on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 4 out of 5Over the past couple of years I had seen Rise Against twice but this was my first time seeing Rancid. Now while the majority of the fans seemed to be far more familiar with the headliner, Rancid more than held their own and played and excellent set. And following Rancid, Rise Against certainly didn't disappoint. All in all I'd say it was an excellent show; I'd give it a four out of five.
Rancid was Amazing.
by Ripmur on 2009-07-14Prairieland Park - SaskatoonRating: 4 out of 5Rancid despite being one of the opening acts managed to play pretty much every song you could want to hear from there catalogue of music. Along with some choice picks from the new album. The sound quality was great, and every song was played enthusiastically and with skill. Every punk rock fan should see Rancid live at least once. If not twice like myself.Rise Against were really good to, though i had never heard of them before this show.
Rise Against and Rancid were like 2 shows in one!
by elfears on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 4 out of 5I arrived late to the show so I missed the Riverboat Gamblers. However, upon my arrival, Rancid was already in full swing and making Rexall Place shake. Their opening performance was so energetic and intense it was like a headlining performance. Then, when Rancid was finished Rise Against took the stage and turned the volume up to 11. Their opening number put the audience into a craze which was maintained for the rest of the concert. Even when they played their acoustic songs, the energy never left lowered. My only disappointment was that after closing the show with "Ready to Fall", they did not return for an encore. This was definitely one of the best concerts I have ever attended.
Rise Against Impressive As Always
by MetalFan99 on 2009-07-14Stampede Corral - CalgaryRating: 4 out of 5I wasn't exactly very close to the stage, which was a bummer but I guess it was really my fault for not getting tickets sooner. Rise Against never fails to put on a good show, and Rancid was good as well, which is more than I can say for The Riverboat Gamblers. But aside from that, and a few feedback issues on the guitars/mics that dulled the experience, it was a very good concert. They just had to work those kinks out.