Customer Reviews

Siren Song of the Counter-Culture

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I thank Rise Against. If it wasn't for this band, I would have turned my back on punk rock utterly and totally. I was desperate, I was anxious, and I was alone. Bad Religion had just released their latest album, along with Social D and Pennywise. I had bought them and listened to them until I was sick of them. I had no where else to turn. I bought a couple nu-metal albums, a couple rap albums, and even a couple compilations. I was disappointed in punk rock. All of these new punk bands were pissing me off in a way that only God himself could understand. I chanced upon this album by flirting with one of the hot goth chicks up at Hot Topic. She told me about this band and said I need to check out this album. I thank that Hot Topic chick, I thank her to this very second in time. This CD blew me the f*ck away like a slug from a shotgun in the dome at point-blank range followed by a dump truck unloading about 100 pounds of cow sh*t on top of me and letting dung beatles feast on my remains. That's what happened. I was shocked. This album is by far one of the best albums I have EVER heard. I immediately bought "Black Masks and Gasoline" and "The Unravelling". "Black Masks" was equally as good but "The Unravelling" left me a little disappointed. But that's besides the point, this album alone is enough to rekindle the old punk rock spirit in a young punk rock kid.

Rise Against is a band I have always liked, ever since they released their first album back in the day. To me it seems like punk is getting worse and worse as time goes by, but Rise Against seems to be getting better and better with each passing album, and here on Siren Song of The Counter Culture everything seems to be working perfectly. The vocals are great and the guitar is just as amazing this time around, and the lyrics/songwriting has never been better I dont know if they will ever top this album.

The album opens with maybe the hardest song on the album, 'State Of The Union' which features some killer vocals and is a great rocker to start off the album. perfect opener! 'The First Drop' is pretty cool but nothing really to stand out. 'Life Less Frightening' is a cool song one of the better ones on the album, mostly screaming on this song instead of singing but it really works for this song, I just hope that all the screaming doesnt kill the amazing vocals the guy has. 'Paper Wings' was the first single off the album and it didnt really do a whole lot on the radio or on the charts but it is a really really good song so I dont see why. 'Blood To Bleed' is good but not really special, but the next song sure is. 'To Them These Streets Belong' is one of the best songs on the album and one of the best song I have heard in a really long time, it starts off all slow and goes full throtal in to total punk and it's just plain amazing, a truly great song. The next song is my favorite song on the album, 'Tip The Scales' is such a killer song, even though the guitarriff is pretty repetitive I still love it and this is easily the best song on the album anyone who hears this song wount be able to help but love it to death! It's gonna be a classic if they ever release it! 'Anywhere But Here' 'Give It All' and 'Dancing For Rain' all have really great lyrics and are killer songs the only problem is that they sound kinda the same, except for the intro to dancing thats pretty cool. The next song is the big single on the album and it is the most original song on the album because it is played on an acoustic guitar and it shows what talent this band has a as well as diversity. The lyrics are amazing and the vocals give me the chills, this is truly a beautifull song, 'Swing life Away' is just simply put and amazing song. The album closes with 'Rumors Of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated' and it is the absolute best song to end the album, it's hard fast and in your face and it leaves you want more, it does exactly what all album closers should do!

The Siren Song Of The Counter Culter by Rise Against is one of the better albums I have bought in a long time and is with out a doubt the best punk album in the last 10 years so do yourself a favor and pick it up!

This CD isn't as powerful as their sophomore album, however, it is still an extremely good CD. Songs 1 & 7 are by far the best on the CD. Its starts of very well and carries itself very well. I am actually eagerly awaiting their next release because they seem to be fairly consistent. I recommend this CD, however, I would buy "Revolutions per Minute" first. Not that this CD isn't good, but its not as good as their sophomore effort. Rise Against has a unique style that has a very bright future ahead of them, just as long as they don't sell out like most bands.

the first time i heard Rise Against was online..i was blown away.. they were so awesome.. great rythm, the album you wont stop listenin to. herrs the break down kiddies:

1)State of the Union- awesome song, great intro 10/10

2)The First Drop- cool song, ittl get stuck in your head 8/10

3)Life Less Frightening- also.. cool song..lovin the bridge 8/10

4)Paper Wings- f**** awesome song, amazing beat 11/10

5)Blood To Bleed- eh.. the only week song on here 6/10

6)To Them These Streets Belong- great song.. 9/10

7)Tip The Scales- repeat button*click* 10/10

8)Anywhere But Here- amazing song..period 10.5/10

9)Give It All- tied for the best song on here..gives me the chills when he comes on on his own and screems "we give it all"..100/10

10)Dancing for Rain-its a good song. but usally is skipped for the next one 8/10

11)Swing Life Away- great acoustic song.. just amazing..15/10

12)Roumers of My Demise...- awesome cd ending.. tied for the best song on here 100/10

really.. you wont be sorry if you purchase this album.. i love it.. gets played all the way through most every time.. great way to spend $10, it is always in my stero and i bet it will have its own special place in yours for it too (im not tryin to jerk any tears here) haha but seriously.. awesome cd

What's good about it?

A faded, fuzzy punk riff establishes "Paper Wings". That far off riff is quickly replaced by a booming version of it, topped with driving drumbeats, rugged vocals, and power chords a plenty. The hook for "Life Less Frightening" evokes some of The Ramones more commercial style riffs. You know, the three-chord change and the punk style guitar muting. The dual vocal harmonies in the chorus are a nice touch. The drums hit you like a machine gun on "Anywhere But Here", and I gotta say, the vocals may be a little rough around the edges, but they are still manage to be tuneful. You'll think that Rise Against are going to slow it down on "Give It All" with its ominous opening sequence, but before you know it, the rhythm kicks into a break-neck pace. You might be a bit taken back by the acoustic intro on "Dance for Rain", because let's face it; punk and acoustic don't really share the same bed. However, intense vocals and punishing rhythms destroy that union. Little guitar licks and tempo changes really strokes this track.

Anything bad?

Nope.

Bottom Line

Overall, I would describe Rise Against's latest album as a cross between Jimmy Eat World and early Offspring. The songs are fun and easy to sing along with. It's a lot heavier than the whiney brat, mainstream "punk" that's over played on the radio.

This cd is one of the best cds ever. Rise against manages to combine hard-core punk rock with acoustic rock in a beatiful way. Tim's singing is excellent and because of its raspiness and anger definitely fits in with the tone of the album. When i bought this cd i spent a month listening to nothing but Rise Against. This will be the best $15 or so dollars you will ever spend.

YES, it is true, they have gotten better, if thats even possible. Give it all ,swing life away, anywhere but here, and every other song on this CD gives it all the depth you need. Tim as I said in my reveiw for there first album is one of the greatest singers alive. The only song I don't love to death is Dancing in rain, but who cares, still an awesome cd. My favorite song is undoubtably "Rumors of my demise have been greatly exagerated".

Ok, if you have never picked up a Rise Against CD...Do it...Now. They play heavy, political punk basically.

The screaming in this CD, I like, and I am generally not a screaming fan. But of course there are less heavy songs.

The two standout tracks by far are "Life Less Frightening" and "Give It All". State of the Union is a somewhat heavy song, but is good if your in the mood. The First Drop is also a high quality song setting a good tempo for the remainder of the album.

This is in my opinion the best RA album to date. Im a big fan of theirs, I like the fact they stand for something and arent selling out at all, but instead continually defining themselves; they are also an awesome live act, by far the best of the Taste Of Chaos tour 2005. If you are longing for a slightly more sophisticated punk album Id go with these guys.

rise against outdo themselves every time. when the unraveling came out it was a decent release but revolutions per minute was one i thought could not be beat. siren song blows it away. the worst song on the album is tip the scales which is still a 5/5 what does that tell you? go buy it now. if you like thrice, a wilhelm scream or hot water music then you will love this. they mold the perfect singing with screaming for songs that you can scream your heart out to but actually know every word. o yeah and go see them live, they're awesome

Ever since I bought The Unraveling all those years ago, Rise Against have always been among my favorite punk bands of all time. Yes, you heard right, punk. For those of you who have compared Rise Against with New Found Glory and Blink 182, shame on you. I have yet to hear any songs about inappropriate relations with canines, or 14 tracks filled with songs about meaningless relationship problems that quite frankly I couldn't care less about. Siren Songs of the Counter Culture completely blew me away. The gates open relentlessly with "State of the Union" and never let up. The lyrics are filled with such passion and accompanied by such perfect melodies and punched-in-the-face guitar riffs that you're left begging for more when the track ends, and Rise Against delivers every single time. Every song on this cd has me singing along with it and blasting it out of my car without shame. About a month ago I also had the privilege of seeing Rise Against live when they were touring with Bad Religion. Hands down, the best live performance I have ever witnessed. For all of you who love punk (or music for that matter) I strongly urge you to go out and buy this cd right now. 5 STARS