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.

Nirvana "Nevermind"

Nirvana "Nevermind," released by Geffen Records, 1991.

Summary

               Even before Kurt Cobain's controversial suicide propelled Nirvana into the fame stratosphere forever, this album was groundbreaking and infinitely powerful.  It revolutionized a generation.  Nevermind ushered in the mainstream era of grunge, characterized by discordant, dirty guitar, raw urgency to the vocals, and a relentless wall of sound.  The teen angst anthem Smells Like Teen Spirit heads up this album, followed by such classics as In Bloom, Rape Me, and Come As You Are.  Kurt Cobain's voice ranges from primal scream to soft, almost pleading, in tracks such as Something in the Way and Polly.  Twenty years later, these songs are still regularly played on the radio, a testament to how lasting Nirvana's influence truly is.

Critical Analysis

                           This album hit my generation like a shockwave.  We had never heard anything like it before.  Kurt Cobain's lyrics were seemingly simple but galvanizing to the generation he was talking to.  The urgency and pain and sheer power in his voice are still contagious.  He poured his troubled childhood, his struggles in adulthood, and his general distaste and dissatisfaction with everything, including his own success, into his music.  The origin of his emotion was very genuine and, as such, no one has sounded quite like him since.  Dave Grohl, now front man of the highly successful band Foo Fighters, was a powerhouse drummer creating the backbone of these songs, and Krist Novoselic's work on the bass was strong and melodic.  Though there have been thousand of imitators trying for the Nirvana aesthetic, there was some particular chemistry of these three musicians that comes through in the music and cannot be replicated.  The magnetism of this group and this album is undeniable and, twenty years later, Nevermind is still arresting and completely relevant. 

Why I Included This Album

                                              This album is so classic and timeless, and such an anthem of adolescence, charged up with anger and rebellion as it is, there was no choice but to include it.

Kelly Clarkson "Stronger"

Kelly Clarkson "Stronger," released by RCA, 2011

Summary

            This highly anticipated album, Kelly Clarkson's fifth, delivers a collection of songs that are upbeat, catchy, and infused with the power and confidence that is present in all of her albums. Emotionally-charged messages of self-esteem and never giving up are infused with contagious pop/rock dance beats.  The first single from this album is Mr. Know It All, a song that fights back against all guys who ultimately disappoint.  Her voice is just as enormous and breathtaking as ever, and she even co-wrote five of the songs on this album, showing that she continues to expand and grow as an artist. 

Critical Analysis

                           Kelly's ultimate appeal is all wrapped up in what is natural about her.  The first winner of American Idol, it is obvious that she is a naturally talented singer.  Her voice is rich and strong and completely distinctive.  She is also a natural beauty, and has suffered slings and arrows due to the fact that she is not supermodel thin - attacks she has weathered with honesty and grace.  This album is another anthem of self-empowerment leveled against her critics.   The message she sends is an important one, and teens stand to benefit from her comfort with herself as well as her struggle to get there.  After a few listens to this collection of songs, you'll find yourself singing along and hitting repeat on your favorite tracks.

Why I Included This Album

                                               Kelly Clarkson is a great role model for teens and her music is catchy and popular.  She is wholesome, but honest and fearless, and overall great to listen to.