Rise Against Rocks!
by Kikas on 2009-07-14Stampede Corral - CalgaryRating: 5 out of 5Took my 8 yr old daughter, was her first concert , and both she and I rocked the house down! I love this band!
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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.Prayer of the Refugee
- 5.I Want It All
- 6.Help Is on the Way
- 7.Satellite
- 8.Ready to Fall
- 9.Savior
- 1.Re-Education (Through Labor)
- 2.Under the Knife
- 3.Give It All
- 4.Help Is on the Way
- 5.I Want It All
- 6.The Good Left Undone
- 7.Prayer of the Refugee
- 8.Swing Life Away
- 9.Hero of War
- 10.Nod
- 11.Satellite
- 12.Ready to Fall
- 13.Make It Stop (September's Children)
- 14.Savior
- 1.Re-Education (Through Labor)
- 2.Under the Knife
- 3.Give It All
- 4.Help Is on the Way
- 5.I Want It All
- 6.The Good Left Undone
- 7.Prayer of the Refugee
- 8.Swing Life Away
- 9.Hero of War
- 10.Satellite
- 11.Nod
- 12.Ready to Fall
Encore
- 13.Make It Stop (September's Children)
- 14.Bricks
- 15.Savior
- 1.Re-Education (Through Labor)
- 2.Under the Knife
- 3.Give It All
- 4.Help Is on the Way
- 5.I Want It All
- 6.The Good Left Undone
- 7.Prayer of the Refugee
- 8.Swing Life Away
- 9.Hero of War
- 10.Nod
- 11.Satellite
- 12.Ready to Fall
Encore
- 13.Make It Stop (September's Children)
- 14.Bricks
- 15.Savior
- 1.Re-Education (Through Labor)
- 2.Under the Knife
- 3.Give It All
- 4.Help Is on the Way
- 5.I Want It All
- 6.The Good Left Undone
- 7.Prayer of the Refugee
- 8.Swing Life Away
- 9.Hero of War
- 10.Nod
- 11.Satellite
- 12.Ready to Fall
- 13.Make It Stop (September's Children)
- 14.Savior
3 R's = 5 stars
by RBfromVan on 2009-07-14Pacific Coliseum - VancouverRating: 5 out of 51 lost shoe, stretched old T-shirt, and complete exhaustion afterwards of the concert! What more can you ask for! Amazing show, Rancid and Rise Against together was the best concert of the year. And Riverboat Gamblers were a nice find!
Rise was amazing!!!
by Winkle on 2009-07-14Stampede Corral - CalgaryRating: 4 out of 5This is the third time I have seen Rise Against and they were as amazing as ever! It was a great concert.
Rise Against - Incredible Show!
by wcard10 on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 5 out of 5The show started with the Riverboat Gamblers. I was really impressed with them! It's really got to be intimidating to open for legends like Rancid and Rise Against, but they really held their own! I had seen Lars' side project play before, but them was my first time seeing Rancid. FINALLY! And they certainly didn't disappoint. They really know how to work the crowd and get people moving. As much as I love Rancid, the highlight for me was definitely Rise Against. This was my 4th time seeing them live, and they just seem to get better and better. There aren't many moshpits I would dare go into with a broken foot... but they make it totally worth it. The quality of the sound was perfect, the lights and effects were amazing, and as always, Rise Against pumped out an unforgettable show.
INDECIPHERABLE LYRICS !
by Frisco68 on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 3 out of 5While they had an energetic stage presence and the music was good, considering the band has such a relevant social "message" to convey to their audience, all their lyrics were totally indecipherable from beginning to end. Unfortunately, only the most die-hard who already knew all the songs by heart could understand the words. Like the many fans who were singing along, I wanted to also appreciate the meaning behind their songs, but it was entirely impossible to do so by listening to their music live. For this reason, many of the songs sounded alike or very similar. Otherwise, I have a great deal of respect for this band for their on-going efforts to positively influence today's youth to take part in facilitating positive social change and reform. Rise Against would definitely have a much stronger impact if their live sound was mixed properly so that the vocals are much clearer and prominent. Otherwise, keep up the good work, guys! C+ for sound, A++ for good intentions!
Rise Against was AMAZING
by Hunter on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 5 out of 5When Rise Against came to Rexal on June 6 it was the best I have seen them yet. This was my fifth time seeing them live in Edmonton and they get better everytime. If you have a chance to go to Rise Against lbe sure to go. It is an great show. They ROCK!!
Rise Against was amazing!
by Jazzycat911 on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 5 out of 5I missed the opening acts, which was really disappointing, since I was really looking forward to seeing them. However, Rise Against did not let me down, they were energetic and I really enjoyed teh concert.
Rancid is amazing!!!
by RancidFan on 2009-07-14Prairieland Park - SaskatoonRating: 3 out of 5I have been wanting to see Rancid for many years now. I was disappointed to hear they were opening for Rise Against and not the other way around. I was also disappointed in the venue, as the sound quality is not very good. I would definitly go and see them again, but I would like to see them at a different venue. Rise Against was very good. They interacted with the crowd fairly well, and I enjoyed their show.
Rancid rocked!!!
by Bellona on 2009-07-14Pacific Coliseum - VancouverRating: 5 out of 5Rancid was soooooo good!! unfortunately i missed the first band and i didnt stay for rise against. I cant believe Rancid wasnt headlining???? Anyway they were awesome!
Amazing!
by pinky83 on 2009-07-14Pacific Coliseum - VancouverRating: 5 out of 5Awesome show, tons of energy, killer music......best concert I've seen in a while!
rise against was the main event
by prestonluke on 2009-07-14Pacific Coliseum - VancouverRating: 5 out of 5just amazing show and rise did play, sound and entertain better than i could have imagined
Don't miss the next show!
by breehere on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 4 out of 5Rise Against was amazing!!!!!!! It was my first time seeing them live, and I was definitely impressed. I wasn't a big fan of the Riverboat Gamblers, either were the other 100 people in my section. But, each to their own. Of course, Rancid is historic, so there's not much to say about them, other than, the show kicked @$$ as usual! I've always had floor tickets to every show, and I was disappointed when I missed out and had to buy tickets in the stands...however the show was so great that I forgot all about where I was and was totally stoked just to hear Rise Against live!!! Don't miss out on the next show!
one of my favourite bands...woooooooot
by arubixcube on 2009-07-14Pacific Coliseum - VancouverRating: 5 out of 5I never saw Rise Against in concert before, I've been really impressed!
Power punk perfection provided...
by Kuu82 on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 4 out of 5Riverboat Gamblers entered with great hooks and quirky satire. Far from typical, and play with the contempt and swagger of a meandering drunken genious. Rancid look quite well preserved, like the only thing holding their bodies together was their tatoos. These guys are from a time where punk was sloppy, and imperfection was as necessary as the music itself. You gotta hand it to these guys, they are snappy and catchy, but still send the impression they could give a rat's @$$...... Guitar swang'n, drink spillin', fist-pumpin', sing-alongin', good ol' fashioned PUNK. Good job boys.... Rise Against. Rise against what? Meat? Leather? Cows farting? I like bands with a message. I like bands that keep it to themselves. The guys in Rise Against came out, played their songs, and hit the road. I enjoy being in-depth enough to realize what a song is about, and not being told, "This song is about war!" or "This song is about soy! and the benefits physically and socially related to soy!" Great set, great songs, and no preachy-preaching.
It was everything I hoped it would be!
by Jauser on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 5 out of 5Rise Against has been my favorite band since I was about 16 (I'm now 23). I was incredibly excited to go and see them play at Rexal - I have seen them quite a few times before at different places, but nothing compared to this concert. The sound was awesome and the show itself was unbelievable! Tim has the greatest voice and I could listen to Rise play all night long :)
4th time is just as great as the 1st!
by Yimmy on 2009-07-14Stampede Corral - CalgaryRating: 4 out of 5As always, Rise Against put on a fantastic show! The Corral is a great venue for this band. Thanks to my wife for surprising me with tickets. Looking forward to their next visit!
Awesome!
by 14196 on 2009-07-14Pacific Coliseum - VancouverRating: 4 out of 5Everything rocked! Rise Against was great, Rancid was awesome and R.G's were surprisingly good!
gets better everytime
by FreshJive on 2009-07-14Stampede Corral - CalgaryRating: 5 out of 5This was my 5th time seeing Rise Against and they never let me down. It was however my first seeing Rancid and they were amazing. I loved the venue this time....there was allot of space and no super huge line ups just to get a beer. I will contine to buy tickets to any show either of these bands put on in the future. Worth every penny!
Rancid rocked my socks off!!!
by Kyky6699 on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 4 out of 5Line ups were quick and we didn't have to wait very long to purchase shirts or beverages. I had floor tickets and was very pleased by the seating area near the floor where we could sit and have a couple drinks before and inbetween sets. Had an awsome time and am looking forward to many more concerts at rexall place. Rancid was awsome!!!
Punkin' Awesome
by fifthandvegas on 2009-07-14Rexall Place - EdmontonRating: 5 out of 5Rancid and Rise Against both but on great shows. High energy, great songs, really got the crowd involved. Fantastic show.