The Black Market
by Rise Against
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 44
  3. Negative: 5 out of 44
Buy Now
Buy on

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. magic_jon
    Jul 28, 2014
    9
    For me Rise Against have had an unusual career trajectory. They started out with their ferocious yet melodic sound which could arguably be said to have peaked on the album Revolutions Per Minute. A very strong album in its own right after which a gradual shift in sound and tone became apparent. I never really got on board with a lot of what was present on Siren Song and Sufferer and AppealFor me Rise Against have had an unusual career trajectory. They started out with their ferocious yet melodic sound which could arguably be said to have peaked on the album Revolutions Per Minute. A very strong album in its own right after which a gradual shift in sound and tone became apparent. I never really got on board with a lot of what was present on Siren Song and Sufferer and Appeal to Reason both had massive miss steps occasionally with the likes of such cringy affairs as Roadside which always had me reaching for the skip button.

    How odd then it is that they seem to have managed after three albums worth of a career arch to really nail the exact balance between their earlier work and their more anthemic pop sensibilities. Endgame was a genuine relief to listen to because it made me realize that as a band they were really finding their feet as a more commercial act without compromising their musical output. The Black Market serves not only to re-enforce this but also seems to go one further in pushing back toward a more aggressive and uncompromising tone.

    That's not to say the album is a hard nosed hardcore record, far from it, but it just has the balance of aggression and catchy hooks down to a tee. There's also an extremely pleasing but surprising abundance of rapid fire drum beats. This really helps to fill the album with barrels of energy and Rise Against really excel when it comes to these types of songs. There's pleanty of variation to go at also however with the likes of Zero Visibility which swaggers along in complete arrogance to a killer rock riff or the poppy but totally impassioned Tragedy + Time.

    I really am thrilled that Endgame doesn't appear to have been something of a fluke to be followed up by another wobbly album like Sufferer or Appeal and is in fact followed up by this excellent album which carries what Endgame began and builds and refines upon it to delivery a really solid album. Sure it doesn't stray wildly from the formula but I listen to Rise Against because I want to hear a Rise Against album and that's what they've given me.

    Keep this up Rise Against and you'll have a life long fan in me.    … Expand
  2. EliWalls
    Jul 16, 2014
    8
    I am a huge RA fan and have been almost as long as I've been a competent music consuming person, that being said, I love this album. I loved Appeal to Reason and Help is on the way was decent. While it doesn't retain the the sound of their earlier stuff that made me fall and love and it doesn't necessarily make huge strides in the progression of them as an artistic entity, it does conveyI am a huge RA fan and have been almost as long as I've been a competent music consuming person, that being said, I love this album. I loved Appeal to Reason and Help is on the way was decent. While it doesn't retain the the sound of their earlier stuff that made me fall and love and it doesn't necessarily make huge strides in the progression of them as an artistic entity, it does convey the incredible amount of passion of that Rise is known for. All said this album does have a couple of duds, it is devoid of radio bait. I love this album. Can't wait to see them in Chicago.… Expand
  3. sonofsamadams
    Jul 17, 2014
    10
    I've been a huge fan of this band for many years now, and I absolutely loved this album. Now I will admit that this band has had a few missteps along the way, and I was one of the few that was somewhat disappointed with Endgame (Although I throughy enjoy it). Having said that, it is in my humble opinion that The Black Market is this band's greatest achievement since Siren Song of CounterI've been a huge fan of this band for many years now, and I absolutely loved this album. Now I will admit that this band has had a few missteps along the way, and I was one of the few that was somewhat disappointed with Endgame (Although I throughy enjoy it). Having said that, it is in my humble opinion that The Black Market is this band's greatest achievement since Siren Song of Counter Culture. That album is still my all time favorite RA album (as is with many fans) and I feel they will never top it. But with black market they've come damn close. I really suggest checking out tracks such as "People Live here" "The Echo-Terrorist in Me", "The Great Die-Off" and 'Don't wanna live here anymore." Some may feel mixed about the band's politically charged lyrics, but this is undeniably a great addition to already great Artist.… Expand
  4. Kobsen
    Nov 15, 2018
    7
    A massively underrated album, which I think deserves much more attention and recognition. It's a real shame they don't play too many of TBM songs live, as I think The Great Die-Off, The Black Market and Zero Visibility would be absolutely mental singing along to. That being said, it is not the strongest RA album; however, not even close to being the worst.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Dec 17, 2014
    70
    The formula is nowhere near broke, so why fix it? Stirring stuff. [Oct 2014, p.91]
  2. Q Magazine
    Aug 28, 2014
    60
    While this more contemplative side rounds out their usual roaring punk, it does strip them of some edge, making The Black Market sound oddly anonymous. [Sep 2014, p.113]
  3. Kerrang!
    Jul 22, 2014
    100
    The Black Market is a magnificent wake-up call. [12 Jul 2014, p.52]
See all critic reviews »