The album then keeps up the momentum to the very end, as following two melodic hardcore cuts that total a little over two minutes between them, the very good ‘1000 Good Intentions’ makes its presence felt. The outro is just as on the mark as McIlrath repeats the line “Something has kept me here too long and you can’t leave me if I’m already gone” as if he is attempting to convince himself to end a relationship. His vocals are near-perfect here as his rasp contains an apt quiver as he proclaims “Have you ever been a part of something that you thought would never end?”, before matter of factly following up with “And then of course it does”. The Unraveling’s said piece is track 11 ‘Everchanging’, a cut which begins with sparse background music to allow McIlrath’s suitably emotional voice to hit a bullseye. Most of these contain something or other to like about them and there is nothing anywhere near bad, however these tracks are arguably better in the moment, rather than being memorable.Īnd then, as with later Rise Against releases, a song emerges from seemingly nowhere to knock you off your feet with its lyrical maturity and songwriting craftsmanship. Suggesting that the LP “settles down” during its mid-section is not exactly the most fitting and accurate description, but in a sense that is what it does as it alternates between sub 2 minute hardcore thrashers and slightly longer conventional sounding cuts (relatively speaking, of course). Follow-up ‘Great Awakening’ is then a hardcore piece belted out at a frantic pace, while track 4 ‘Six Ways Til Sunday’ brings the punk with its long closing outro of gang chants. ‘My Life Inside Your Heart’ may be the most accessible of the tracks with its “Take my hand…” refrain delivering on multiple levels. The opening four tracks of ‘The Unraveling’ are not only impressive songs individually, but also effectively showcase the range that is to follow on this 40 minute album. And then of course there are Tim McIlrath’s vocals, which switch from throaty screams in the verses to deceptive melodies during the chorus.
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Following the apt opening of Jack Black (from movie ‘The Cable Guy’) asking “Are you ready to rawk?”, a frenetic pace sets in that displays all of the band’s musical trademarks excellent guitar-work from Dan Wleklinski, Joe Principe’s always terrific bass-lines and Brandon Barnes’ passionate drumming. Practically all of the ingredients that have made the Chicago quartet such an awesome force can be heard on album opener ‘Alive and Well’. What on earth was I thinking? This is Rise Against, ever as reliable and impressive as they obviously always have been! I was hesitant to listen to ‘The Unraveling’ fearing it would be a raw inaccessible mess. But so it was to be with the phenomenal ‘Sufferer…” sandwiched between two other excellent releases.
Prior to the release of 4th album ‘The Sufferer & The Witness’ in 2006, if you had told me that this punk / melodic hardcore band would soon become one of my favorites, I would have wondered what drugs you were on.
It took a long while for me to give Rise Against’s 2001 debut LP ‘The Unraveling’ a listen. Just try to stop yourself from moshing to 2020’s metallic-tinged Dark Nights: Death Metal song “Broken Dreams, Inc.,” a riotous call to action for the oppressed to rise up and keep moving forward despite adversity.Review Summary: Newer fans that have been won over by Rise Against’s recent more polished releases need not fear, as this is a surprisingly accomplished debut that contains all of the band’s trademark strengths.
McIlrath’s gravel-coated vocals sound clearer and more melodic on Rise Against’s biggest albums-including the 2008 breakthrough Appeal to Reason, which was co-produced by Descendents mainstay Bill Stevenson-but the band’s messaging is as ferocious and consistent as ever. The corrugated hard-rock hits “Savior” and “Prayer for the Refugee” burst with aggressive energy and hardcore speed, while songs such as “Re-Education (Through Labor)” are pointed political snarls with punk’s social conscience. Graduating to a major label with 2004’s Siren Song of the Counter Culture dulled none of the group’s underground sensibilities. After changing their name to Rise Against, they released the early-2000s albums The Unraveling and Revolutions Per Minute via the venerable punk label Fat Wreck Chords. The band coalesced in 1999 under the name Transistor Revolt, after former 88 Fingers Louie member Joe Principe met punk-scene denizen Tim McIlrath at a Sick Of It All and AFI concert. Although Fall Out Boy receive credit for elevating the reputation of Chicago’s vibrant punk scene, Rise Against deserve just as much shine.