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Rating: Is there absolute truth, undisputed objectivity proven with facts, or are we individual small drops that go on to form a varied and multifaceted ocean made of subjective visions? Are we the children and descendants of Darwinian theories on the evolution of species or a gift of grace and mercy from Jesus Christ's creationism? It's difficult to answer these questions, just as it's hard to get everyone to agree when talking about punk rock music and Rise Against.
Loved by a good portion of critics and hordes of fans and seen as the next big thing in the hardcore scene, and not viewed too favorably by a minority of the audience who label them as a banal, clichéd example of hardcore. We spoke at the beginning of individual subjects and conglomerates, of the 'self' and the 'others,' of drops and ocean stretches; here is my drop then:
"Revolutions Per Minute" is the second album from the Chicagoans, once again under Fat Wreck records, following "Unraveling" and preceding the major label release "Siren Song Of A Counter Culture." However, recent news is that the band is back again under the supervision of Fat Mike's label.
A compilation of pure adrenaline and emotions in a new school hardcore style (with 'old' hints), sing-along episodes, power, melody, and speed are the moods and key elements of the platter. The band with which the most points of contact can be found is without a doubt Good Riddance from Russ Runkin.
This is the classic album that presents itself to the ears just as you'd want it to be even before placing it in the stereo. It's tough to choose a standout track, as none pales compared to the others, but the first three episodes already clarify the album's coordinates. It's impossible not to be captivated by the great guitar lines and super refrains of "Black masks & gasoline" and "Heaven knows" and the devastating and shouted "Dead ringer" that brings Sick Of It All to mind, with a claustrophobic bass line at the halfway point. However, the most peculiar track on the CD turns out to be the mix of slowness/heaviness of "Halfway there," which structurally recalls a bit of their "Ready to fall," although the latter is better.
Mid-tempo punk rock and melody on the splendid pearl of "Like the angel" adorned with an excellent solo, cheerfulness, and catchy anthems like "Voices off camera," still classic pieces that many bands envy, see the choruses and high notes of "Blood red, blue & white" and "Last chance blueprint" opened by a small dialogue and where the drummer's touch on the bridge is to be appreciated. There is also room for an Offspring-esque refrain that peeks through on "Broken english"
Still typically old school anger on the very angry "To the core," "Torches" which starts slow and gains aggression along the way, the rhythmic fluctuations of "Amber changing," and the final tribute to Journey with the excellent punk reinterpretation of their "Anyway you want it" that marks the end of the work.
As if that were not enough, Rise Against boasts none other than Tim Mcilrath, the best voice of modern punk, among its ranks. Capable of varying between different stylistic registers in a spectacular way, from warm and clean parts to hoarse parts and screaming highs that make the hairs on my stomach stand up. All of it is complemented by excellent choruses, solos, granite riffs, and a rhythm section pushed to the max.
The lyrics address social and protest themes not far from various Anti-Flag and associates, with particular attention also to environmental protection and animal respect.
I had been looking for an album that would surprise me like this for some time now, interesting and immediate but not simplistic on the first listen; this album deserves that place that not even acclaimed albums like "Punk in drublic" can occupy. A masterpiece in its genre, from the great punk reality of the new millennium.
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Black Masks & Gasoline (02:59)
simply because you can breathe,
doesn't mean you're alive,
or that you really live,
this life has taken its toll
and she just doesn't know how much more she can give
but here, at the top of the world, I raise my hands and I clench my fists,
they stand before me below demanding the answers with flips of a switch
I don't understand where you got this idea,
so deeply engrained in your head
that this world is something that you must impress,
because I couldn't care less
a need for revolution's rising, it comes to the surface, gasping for air,
we're not putting up with this planet one more day much less one more year
I don't understand where you got this idea
so deeply engrained in your head
that this world is something that you must impress,
because I couldn't care less
so here and now, in our rotting nation
the blood, it pours, it's all on our hands now
we live, in fear, of our own potential
to win, to lose, it's all on our hands now
I have an Amerikan Dream,
but it involves black masks and gasoline,
one day I'll turn these thoughts into screams,
at a world turned its back down on me
I don't understand where you got this idea,
so deeply engrained in your head
that this world is something that you must impress,
because I couldn't care less
04 Halfway There (03:41)
"Is this the point where we give up?
Is this the point where we give in?
Is this the point where we turn ourselves in?
Is this the time to ask questions?
Is this the time to seek answers?
Is this the time to throw it all in?
When enough is enough that's when you know that you're halfway there
When enough is enough that's when you know that you're halfway there
You're halfway there
That's when you know that you're halfway there
This is the point where we stand up
This is the point where we take back
The things that are keeping us from being free
When enough is enough that's when you know that you're halfway there
When enough is enough that's when you know that you're halfway there
That's when you know that you're halfway there
Your voice the airwaves sent you prayed my life would end,
The wasted time I spent ashamed I called you friend,
Give me one reason, I need a reason, one reason"
05 Like the Angel (02:46)
They turn the lights down low,
In shadows hiding from the world,
Only coming out when it gets cold
The seas part when they hit the floor,
The voices carry on and out the door,
Everything you touch turns into gold
Like the angel you are,
You laugh creating,
A lightness in my chest,
Your eyes they penetrate me,
(Your answers always 'maybe')
That’s when I got up and left
A beating heart and a microphone,
A ticking clock in an empty home,
Still tells of these times so long ago,
And even though I’ve come so far,
I know I’ve got so far to go
And any day now ill explode
Like the angel you are,
You laugh creating,
A Lightness in my chest,
Your eyes they penetrate me,
(Your answers always 'maybe')
That’s when I got up and left
And each and every day will lead in to tomorrow,
Tomorrow brings one less day without you,
But don’t wait up just leave the light on,
Cause all the roads that I might take will all one day lead back to you
And Like the angel you are,
You laugh creating,
A lightness in my chest,
Your eyes they penetrate me,
(Never cease to amaze me)
That’s when I got up and left
09 Last Chance Blueprint (02:14)
late nights and bloodshot eyes, clock ticking half past five,
we're barely breathing but we're still alive. GO!
our plans are all laid out, take all these unmarked roads,
we blaze the trails to places no one goes, yeah!
one last chance to go, if I don't leave tonight I never will
one last chance to go, let's take it now in for the kill
if in time we find ourselves, back where we started from,
too weak to fight and much too tired to run
before you swallow me into your perfect life,
i'm not going out without a fight, yeah!
one last chance to go, if I don't leave tonight I never will
one last chance to go, let's take it now in for the kill
but this blueprints faded grey
and here it seems like just yesterday
when we mapped out the details of our great escape,
but still these roads all beckon me to uncover their mystery
but I fall like dead autumn leaves and let the jet stream carry me
one last chance to go,
if I don't leave tonight I never will
one last chance to go
10 To the Core (01:33)
if i could paint how i feel,
i'd draw a bullseye on your forehead,
my anger is not misdirected,
unless it somehow misses you
time spent on hate,
is time gone to waste,
i watch you point and click
your life away
so cast the stones that i'll gladly catch
and i'll throw them right fucking back,
i stand behind the things i say
you type the words you wont say to my face
time spent on hate,
is time gone to waste,
i watch you point and click
your life away
it seems you've let me go again
just like the day you let me in
the best of intentions
you were never mine to begin with
so step away from the fucking screen
see a world outside your scene
maybe then you will know,
and realize the lack of threat you pose.
11 Torches (03:41)
on clearer days I can see the lights from my bedroom door
on windy nights I can smell the lake as it drifts to me from the shore
the traffic lights silently change a thousand times a day
but I'm still waiting
yeah I'm still waiting
(Chorus)
if my hand could block the sun
would we ever wake up?
If I turned back all these clocks
would that be time enough?
I can't remember exactly when this longing began
but I know it wasn't before the day you touched my hand
laugh and shout in blissful daze
and numbers are exchanged
I'm still waiting
yeah I'm still waiting
(Chorus)
so put your hands where I can see them
and shut your mouth
I know who you are
in a world void of feeling or heart
I know that we are the torches in the dark
let's break this down
let's make this count
let's leave this one-horse town
no better time than now
the angels dance
like feathers float
they're here to see and to be seen
the clock strikes two
the music slows
and each one slowly dons their wings
once outside
they all pair off and hand in hand they leave
but I'm still waiting
yeah I'm still waiting
(Chorus)
Would We Ever Wake Up?
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