Appeal To Reason
by Rise Against
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 94 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 87 out of 94
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 94
  3. Negative: 4 out of 94

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. RyFox
    Nov 13, 2015
    8
    To be honest, when it comes to Rise Against, their albums usually sound very similar. However, that is usually my only complaint since I personally enjoy the style. This style stays the same in Appeal To Reason, although they also try to expand their style with Hero Of War. Although, I personally though Hero Of War was the low point on the album, it was still a good listen. If you can'tTo be honest, when it comes to Rise Against, their albums usually sound very similar. However, that is usually my only complaint since I personally enjoy the style. This style stays the same in Appeal To Reason, although they also try to expand their style with Hero Of War. Although, I personally though Hero Of War was the low point on the album, it was still a good listen. If you can't get the whole album though, I suggest getting Savior, Entertainment, Collapse, Re-Education, and Kotov Syndrome… Collapse
  2. FakeLies
    Apr 30, 2015
    8
    I became a Rise Against fan not all too long before Appeal to Reason came out, being introduced to them by a friend who had The Sufferer and the Witness on his phone. I didn't even like it at first, not really giving it a chance and dismissing it. But a few days later I took some quality time with my headphones and suddenly fell in love with them. I am a person who gets catched by goodI became a Rise Against fan not all too long before Appeal to Reason came out, being introduced to them by a friend who had The Sufferer and the Witness on his phone. I didn't even like it at first, not really giving it a chance and dismissing it. But a few days later I took some quality time with my headphones and suddenly fell in love with them. I am a person who gets catched by good instrumental play and to whom the lyrics are only secondary at first; then, as time passes by, the lyrics are what keep me addicted to the music. And Rise Against had this sometimes catchy but not too pop-ish riffs mixed with harder or punkier songs with great, spirit lifting and meaningful lyrics. From then on I consumed basically all of their work in 2 months. And even though tSatW was great, I started to appreciate Siren Song of Counter Culture and Revolutions per Minute more, being something strangely new and pleasant to my ears. I grew kind of a late-coming fanboy, and such high were the expectations I had when Appeal to Reason came out.
    During the first few days the album seemed abysmal to me. What was this more pop-ish approach to their raw punk/hard sound? And where had all of Tims screaming gone? There was still some left for sure, but I was dearly missing a song like State of the Union. But as I listened to the songs more often and figured out the lyrics and the meaning behind it I came to like quite a bunch of the songs which made my spirit lift again. Lyrics wise they had maintained their high standards. But as a fan of their raw sound the album remains kind of off putting. Not in the sense that the instrumentals are bad or completely "mainstream and radio friendly" now, but just not as hard with a short glimpse of desperation or rage showing. It is far off from being a bad album with the lyrics being fantastic and the instrumentals not bad and quite catchy, but to me it started, well, sort of a downfall which was to end in Endgame. For me they recovered a bit with The Black Market, I am just sad at seeing nice hardcore songs not being released on their newer albums and being shoved into the Long Forgotten Songs track list as a wasted potential. But Appeal to Reason is a fine album nonetheless.    … Expand
  3. CRL
    Oct 16, 2011
    9
    Rise Against has a different sound than everyone else; music that's sometimes punk and sometimes mainstream rock, with songs that showcase uncharacteristically complex speed and sound changes, brilliant bridges, and meaningful lyrics that combine to form a feast for your ears. I felt that the strongest part of Appeal to Reason was the middle, from The Dirt Whispered (yes, I loved thisRise Against has a different sound than everyone else; music that's sometimes punk and sometimes mainstream rock, with songs that showcase uncharacteristically complex speed and sound changes, brilliant bridges, and meaningful lyrics that combine to form a feast for your ears. I felt that the strongest part of Appeal to Reason was the middle, from The Dirt Whispered (yes, I loved this song, too damn catchy), Kotov Syndrome (ridiculously awesome second verse), through to Hero of War (great acoustic number), and Savior (which sounds even better in-album, coming right after Hero of War). Those eight songs elevate the album to 'amazing' status, but the first few and last few blend together just enough to drop it from a 10 to a 9.… Expand
  4. SilentNight
    Apr 26, 2011
    9
    Rise Against returns with a great album. This album still has great lyrics and messages but the sound is new. They might have lost some of their older fans with this one however it attracts new pop rock fans.
  5. FPSJohnFKennedy
    Mar 21, 2011
    9
    Awesome CD. If you don't already have it you should get it. So many good songs on it like Savior, Re-Education, Hero of War, Collapse and Entertainment. Best use of $15 you'll get.
  6. jimmck9
    Oct 20, 2010
    8
    Damn Rise Against is good. I don't like it as much as TSATW but it's real good. Tim is perfect for this music, his voice has so much energy and emotion. I love the song Audience of One and Savior of course. Not a bad song on the album. A must listen
  7. BenC
    Feb 21, 2009
    10
    Dominic you are completely outa line, this album is the best yet i've heard from Rise Against. Its solid, timely and awesome fun to listen to. Ultimately, it doesnt matter if they've gona a bit mainstream, as long as their music still holds the quality that made Sufferer and the Witness, and it does. Ive been listening since The Unraveling and other albums from them, but ive Dominic you are completely outa line, this album is the best yet i've heard from Rise Against. Its solid, timely and awesome fun to listen to. Ultimately, it doesnt matter if they've gona a bit mainstream, as long as their music still holds the quality that made Sufferer and the Witness, and it does. Ive been listening since The Unraveling and other albums from them, but ive gotta say this is the best by far. Tim's lyrics are so sharp and relevant to everything they stand for. Perfect album, perfect band.… Expand
  8. JoshM
    Jan 2, 2009
    10
    This album is very entertaining. The only people who do not seem to like it are the ones who do not like Rise Against's style overall or don't like seeing consistency in a band, and these are the ones who should just be leaving it alone anyway. So if you like Rise Against, you will like this album.
  9. IanT
    Dec 12, 2008
    10
    I think this is truly one of the albums of the year, while its not as monumental as Siren Song of the Counter Culture or The Sufferer and The Witness, it still makes a major impact on the punk and rock music world.
  10. ChrisP
    Nov 26, 2008
    7
    At first I was crazy excited about this album since RA is my absolute favorite band, and I listened to all the songs through and through. Then I realized that I was less excited with the actual songs than with the fact that I had new material from my favorite band. Siren Song and S&W both have songs that are rhythmically, lyrically, and musically superior to any other rock band; and while At first I was crazy excited about this album since RA is my absolute favorite band, and I listened to all the songs through and through. Then I realized that I was less excited with the actual songs than with the fact that I had new material from my favorite band. Siren Song and S&W both have songs that are rhythmically, lyrically, and musically superior to any other rock band; and while Appeal certainly has its powerful points (Savior, Re-Education, Entertainment), at the end of the day, I'd much rather listen to their previous 3 albums. I think RA needs to turn back from the pop genre, not necissarily revisit the Unraveling, but find a good point to compromise. Powerful is good, and most of these songs are somewhat boring.… Expand
  11. Richard
    Nov 21, 2008
    2
    Good ideas, Just a waste of money and time. Mainly the vocals for me, Tim's voice is pitched, its not "Hardcore" anymore. More Pop Punk in my opinion
  12. Sampat
    Nov 16, 2008
    10
    this is definitely one of my favourite albums by these guys. its got some real tunes on it and Hero Of War might just be one of their best songs yet.
  13. vipismith
    Oct 23, 2008
    10
    Best damn band out there!!!Intelligent, persuasive, timely.
  14. DominicJ.
    Oct 16, 2008
    0
    disaapointing, every album for me just heads more and more mainstream, from the unravelling to revolutions, 2 very good albums, things started to slip slightly in siren song, and sufferer and the witness for me (although rather enjoying the album) was aimed to appeal to a wider audience, not the punk fans who have followed rise against for many years. Now i'm seeing reviews about how disaapointing, every album for me just heads more and more mainstream, from the unravelling to revolutions, 2 very good albums, things started to slip slightly in siren song, and sufferer and the witness for me (although rather enjoying the album) was aimed to appeal to a wider audience, not the punk fans who have followed rise against for many years. Now i'm seeing reviews about how this new album is full of brilliant songs, it just isn't true! for real rise against fans who haven't just jumped on the bandwagon since the 2006 release of s&tw, i'd say avoid this album, it will only leave you feeling almost angered at the, what can only be described as a sell-out attempt, album. This to me is showing rise against are heading very much down the same route as the offspring, it's a real pity. the chicago "punk" band has really let itself down with this!… Expand
  15. ChrisC.
    Oct 13, 2008
    9
    This is an amazing album that grows on you more and more as you listen to it. I feel like this is a very natural progression for a band. People will complain because Tim doesn't scream the entire album. "Maybe we've out grown what we once loved" I think that lyric describes this progression pretty accurately. They are not the angst ridden 20 years old's as they were ten This is an amazing album that grows on you more and more as you listen to it. I feel like this is a very natural progression for a band. People will complain because Tim doesn't scream the entire album. "Maybe we've out grown what we once loved" I think that lyric describes this progression pretty accurately. They are not the angst ridden 20 years old's as they were ten years ago. With this one album critics are sticking them in with crappy mainstream bands. Well I'm sorry (no I'm not) but mainstream bands CAN'T touch Rise Against's passion, lyrics, or love for their fans. These guys are hittin the west coast top charts, and still will just straight hang out with people after a show. People may not want them to "break out" but i hope they do. The mainstream needs to hear RA's lyrics and passion. Overall, a great album that can reach a wider audience (which is a good thing!) The passion is there, and the lyrics are amazing.… Expand
  16. RyanK.
    Oct 12, 2008
    9
    This is a solid RA album, clearly showing the ongoing evolution of the band and their subject matter. It recieves such a high rating from me becouse, well, a solid RA album is at the same level as a brilliant album by most bands. RA seems to be holding up fairly well under the stresses of increased popularity and examination by critics, with songs like Hero of War displaying their This is a solid RA album, clearly showing the ongoing evolution of the band and their subject matter. It recieves such a high rating from me becouse, well, a solid RA album is at the same level as a brilliant album by most bands. RA seems to be holding up fairly well under the stresses of increased popularity and examination by critics, with songs like Hero of War displaying their stubborn desire to say what they think despite calling down a hellstorm of criticism. However, both the more consistantly mid-range sound throughout most of the album and the absence of Tim's screaming method of point pounding indicate that the band is feeling the suck of the mainstream. None of these songs have the same pulse-pounding power desplayed in some of their earlier work, nor posess the bizzarlly moving cadence of the underrated Roadside. My personal impression is that this album was both written and delivered as a sort of holding pattern while the band figures out which direction to go in. I think that, regardless of the direction the next album takes, we can expect it to be more purposeful than this one was.… Expand
  17. Cameron
    Oct 8, 2008
    9
    Rise Against finally revisits their punk roots after the Sufferer and the Witness seemed to alienate some of their fan base. The only downside to this release is that they are pushing more of the mainstream media.
  18. DrewN.
    Oct 8, 2008
    8
    All in all, great CD. Doesn't live up to Siren Songs (By far my fav of their CD's) But still great. Personally I view it was better than sufferer, but its left best up to personal taste. Catchy songs, new guitarist def making his mark.

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Most Discussed Album of 2008
68
#68 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Billboard
    70
    There's nothing here you haven't heard before from Rise Against--or, indeed, from Bad Religion before that. But producers Bill Stevenson (of the Descendents and All) and Jason Livermore keep the music moving at a breakneck pace that gives everything the gleam of urgency anyway.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    58
    That's a serious issue on Appeal to Reason; songs like 'Re-Education (Through Labor)' and 'Entertainment,' which seeks to redress the evils of media manipulation upon the land, are peppy but pretty empty, power-chord downers with little bark or bite.
    Read full review
  3. Los Angeles Times
    50
    One just wishes the band did it with a bit more grace and inventiveness than on Appeal to Reason, where straight-outta-the Nation song titles like 'Collapse (Post-Amerika)' and 'Re-education (Through Labor)' disguise some pretty conservative ideas about how modern mainstream punk should sound.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »