Siren Song Of The Counter-Culture

by Rise Against

Overview

Rise Against's somewhat sudden major label-ness has slightly diluted their direct assault on melodic hardcore, but the adjustment should only invite more sugar punkers to the Chicago combo's bittersweet party. Rise Against has moved up in the sonic nicety department -- loud rock vet GGGarth produces, and the Andy Wallace mix is a flawless cross section of thick, grit, and slick. But Siren Song of the Counter Culture is simply the band's latest statement, combining their significant yet not unwelcome Bad Religion influence with nods to the rousing choruses of peers like A.F.I. Beyond that grandiose title -- that line could've been lifted from a Crass treatise, for Pete's sake -- Rise Against seem to have diversified their lyrical base. There are still salvos of sharply defined social criticism -- "If we're the flagship of peace and prosperity/We're taking on water and about to f*cking sink," begins the blistering hardcore opener, "State of the Union." But Rise Against also rock on the personal reflection or relationship tip. "Paper Wings" builds a sad story about growing apart around a winning lead guitar lick straight from their Fat Wreck past, while the staggeringly paced "Blood to Blood" is in the bitter first person. "'I don't love you anymore/Is all I remember you telling me." Sometimes Siren Song gets carried away with its own melodic urgency. The multiple layers of guitars and somewhat obvious mixing tweaks in "Tip the Scales" and "Rumors of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated" lead Rise Against to lose the thread of hardcore volatility that's driven them since the beginning. Still, this is their major-label debut, and a band's gotta eat, so maybe the fuller sound and occasional forays into acoustic guitars and cello overdubs ("Dancing for Rain") are OK. Rise Against has always been pretty sincere in both its politics and commitment to hardcore revivalism, so if Siren Song nods to accessibility, it's only to recruit more kids for the raging. ~ Johnny Loftus

Product Details

Release Date:	09/14/2004
Label:	Geffen / Universal
UPC:	0602498637326
Rank:	18447

Tracks

1. State of the Union
2. The First Drop
3. Life Less Frightening
4. Paper Wings
5. Blood to Bleed
6. To Them These Streets Belong
7. Tip the Scales
8. Anywhere But Here
9. Give It All
10. Dancing for Rain
11. Swing Life Away
12. Rumors of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Rise Against   Primary Artist
Joe   Vocals (Background)
Tim   Guitar,Vocals
Nina Hennessey   Vocals

Technical Credits

Dean Maher   Audio Engineer,Engineer
GGGarth   Audio Production,Producer
Andy Wallace   Mixing
Greg Ginn   Composer
Rise Against   Composer
Joe Principe   Composer
Tim McIlrath   Composer
Chris Chasse   Composer
Steve Sisco   Assistant
Scott Ternan   Assistant Engineer
Brandon Barnes   Composer
Ben Kaplan   Digital Editing
Lee Robertson   Assistant Engineer
Shepard Fairey   Cover Illustration
Ron Handler   A&R
John O'Mahony   Digital Editing
Graham Martin   A&R
Lisa Johnson   Photography
Richard Leighton   Guitar Technician
Bryan Gallant   Assistant Engineer
Chris Crippen   Drum Technician
Eric "Wilcard" Bonny   Stage Technician