Rise Against "Sufferer and the Witness"

Rise Against "Sufferer and the Witness," released by Geffen Records, 2006.

Summary

               Rise Against's album Sufferer and the Witness, their third album, embraces the punk and hardcore aesthetic of their previous work, but takes it further with longer, more mature melodies and slowed down, nearly acoustic moments.  Their lyrics are still affecting and anti-establishment, a call to action for their listeners to want more from life and to go after it despite feeling outcast and misunderstood, such as their track Ready to Fall.  There are songs that deal with raw emotion, such as the haunting Roadside, in which Tim McIlrath duets with fellow Chicago vocalist Emily Schambra.  And there is the good old-fashioned characteristic driving fury of tracks like Survive and Brick.  This album has it all, and Rise Against veterans will not be disappointed.

Critical Analysis

                          Rise Against achieves a balanced blend of punk, rock, and hardcore, resided over by Tim McIlrath's completely distinctive voice.  What sets him apart from many other vocalists in this genre is the fact that he can actually sing.  His voice displays a great deal of range, from the characteristic hardcore scream, to anguished shouting, to slow, melodic singing, effortlessly.  Rise Against has worked their way into the mainstream, something of a faux pas for bands of the punk, hardcore, anti-establishment vein, but they have not changed their aesthetic to gain mass appeal.  Rather, they are simply that good.  Their songs tend towards revolutionary messages but are catchy and well-executed enough to win over listeners who may not be as interested in their message as someone dedicated to the punk genre.  The musicians backing up Tim McIlrath are just as talented as he is, creating a powerful force of musical talent, aesthetic appeal, and strong message.  Overall this album will not disappoint Rise Against fans who were worried they had sold out and gone mainstream, and will net even more listeners as they discover this band's power and appeal.

Why I Included This Album

                                              Rise Against is popular with many age groups, but in particular their fan base is young because of their anti-establishment message.  Young adults respond not only to the driving force of their music, but the message within it as well.  This is why I included it.  Also, the vocalist who duets with the lead singer in the track Roadside, Emily Schambra, is my best friend so I am quite familiar with this band and what they represent, as well as how appealing they are to teens.