Artist: Rise Against
Album: Siren Song Of The Counter Culture
Tracks: 12
Label: Geffen
Reviewed By: Chaz

I used to like this well know Chicago based punk band called 88 Fingers Louie. I wasn't their biggest fan so when I heard of their break up I wasn't all that upset. I heard a rumor that some of the members had formed a new punk band called Rise Against. I found a CD of theirs in a used rack for $5 at my favorite record store and it has been bliss history ever since. "The Unraveling" was their first release and I was pretty amazing how this band fused straight out in your face aggression with some elements of pop punk. They did it without using any gimmicks. They kept the lyrics intelligent and straight to the point of politics, the punk scene and relationship matters. Their second album "Revolutions Per Minutes" was by far my favorite album of theirs. I found each and ever song enjoyable and it is probably in my top 10 albums of all time. They kept their form catchy but not radio friendly. They kept true to their form of fast aggression with some pop sensibility.

Since "RPM", they have changed record labels from Fat to going to a major label, Geffen. This kind of worried me. I have seen this before with many bands. They go to a huge label and lose their edge and they lose their politics and get watered down. Rise Against is now label mates with Blink 182, New Found Glory, Sparta, The Roots, The Cure and yes don’t forget...Ashelee Simpson. That is a tour I'd like to see Ashelee Simpson with Rise Against. I picked up "Siren Song Of The Counter Culture" at FYE. I felt ashamed because I hadn't bought a punk record at a corporate record store since I was sixteen and FYE was The Wall and they carried the entire Epitaph catalog and they sold those records for about $10. Much to my surprise, Rise Against's new album was only $10 there as well.

My doubts of their new album weren't confirmed. Although their sound has adjusted it hasn't changed. They start the album off with "State of The Union" which is a political rant with all the power and aggression they had shown in their previous albums and is probably the hardest song they have ever done. Lyrically, "SSOTCC" is just like their previous albums. They are political and personal and a perfect blend or poetry and bluntness. Rise Against does take some roads in this album that I do and don't like. I didn't really like their AFI inspired song " To Them These Streets Belong". Everything in this song reminded me of AFI, from the harmonizing to the lyrics. They also take on an acoustic ballad and it is actually my favorite song on the album. Tim has the best punk vocals in the scene today. He can blend screaming and just amazing ability to handle a tune with the best of them. He reminds me of Nathan of Boy Sets Fire with the ability to sing and scream with equal force.

"SSOTCC" isn't my favorite album of theirs but it certainly did answer the questions that were on my mind and the concerns I had about their switch to a new label. They kept true to their political message without watering down their passion. This is by far my longest review of all time.