Rise Against
Ricochet
Loma Vista
A quarter of a century is a long time in any game, but in the frenetic world of hardcore punk where bands burn brightly but briefly and disappear in the blink of an eye, it’s the equivalent of several life times. With their politically-charged brand of melodic hardcore, Chicago’s Rise Against took the genre out of dive bars and sweaty clubs and made a beeline for MTV and the charts. What’s even sweeter is success has come without compromise and their latest album, Ricochet, is set to bounce them towards the stratosphere. Never a band to stand still, this long player finds them sharpening their tools and serving up a dozen lyrically-astute, pit-friendly moshers that come bristling with energy. From opening punch ‘Nod’ to the knockout blow of ‘Prizefighter’, Ricochet is a shapeshifting beast that doesn’t sit still, and therein in lies the reason for the band’s longevity. While many of their peers are content to stay within rigidly defined parameters, Rise Against aren’t afraid to mix up tempos, throw in catchy hooks and solos, and generally mess with the listener’s expectations. It all conspires to create a satisfying album, and one that’ll ensure Rise Against continue to soar.
Review by Peter Dennis.