I think the title track works far better in context of the record - it gets better with every listen. The middle section is absolute fire.
As someone who is similarly shocked at how much I like this record given how mediocre I feel they've been for awhile, I think this is what I've narrowed it down to. The past few records have been so weirdly formulaic and did exactly this: fast verse -> slow bridge -> slow/mid chorus -> fast verse -> chorus -> GET READY FOR THE BRIDGE THAT ONLY HAS VOCALS -> chorus again I think with the new album, they just...... didn't write a lot of slow parts (and also ditched a lot of verse->chorus bridges). And it makes it feel so much like their Fat-era records. I'm really digging this. Edit: Okay I said Fat era but it's been so long I forgot Siren and Sufferer were not on Fat lol. My brain is slowly remembering all the "sell out" discussion around the band. What a time to be alive.
Yeah that's pretty much my feelings about the direction they took from Appeal To Reason onwards. I'm glad they came back with something much less formulaic, even if it doesn't reinvent the wheel. That alone is refreshing for them.
The production on this is another big reason why it's a step up from their recent records. I love the way they layer Tim's vocals to give it more punch. Maybe it's something they've done on previous records, but it really stands out this time. Best that Tim's sounded since Appeal/Endgame.
Also atmos is used in movie theaters so I’m sure you’ve heard that lol Apple Music announces Spatial Audio and Lossless Audio
Finally got my Pre-Order today. Thanks to the fantastic service of FedEx Europe... Have to say, aside from being a much better album than the last two, the packaging too has been improved vastly. Love the cover with the spinning disc to change what the TVs display and having an actuall lyric booklet. Albeit a tough to read one, white font on silver/blue background ain't ideal, but nicely laid out anyway.
this is live right now but they played a ghost notes verison of talking to ourselves and it sounded amazing. listening party link they are about to do
In the us this debuted at number 39 on the top 200 and number 4 on rock. In comparison wolves debuted at number 9 on the top 200 and number one on the alternative, rock, and hard rock Charts
They debuted at Number 2 in Germany .Only beaten by a comeback album of some Girlband from the early 2000s. Was their 6th straight Top 10 album over there, Wolves peaked at 9, Endgame and The Black Market even made it to Number 1. Kinda cool to see that, given that Germany is the biggest music market in Europe and usually dominated by German "rappers".
Those charts are depressing. At the same time, they’re playing places plenty big enough on their tour to make me think they’re going to make money.
I wonder if it would have been better if they would have released it earlier. I know they probably wanted to wait until the pandemic was over, but it might have been better to get it out sooner. Who knows though.
All good points. I think the thing about becoming an adult (and one thing that the Z folks really get even more than millennials) is that being paid for your art isn’t selling out if you don’t change who you are to do it. I was such a dickhead about who sold out and who didn’t when I was a kid. Most kids are. And I still cringe when I see bands take big swings for the radio that don’t fit their style - but I don’t begrudge them. I’m in my mid 30’s with a mortgage and wife and kids and a new job and I would sell most anything I had to keep stability for those I love. These guys are able to do that without really changing their sound and never changing their message. That should be a huge point of pride. And if they still sell tickets to the lifers like us or the folks who remember they loved “Savior” 13 years ago, then god bless and cash the check.
Really liking this album so far after a couple of listens, but remaining cautious. I always really like their new albums and then just never go back to them (all since ATR fall into this category). Makes me glad I don't review albums because I'd just have this whole archive of 9/10 reviews for Rise Against records I would in hindsight give, like, a 6/10. I really hope this one has staying power for me. I think it passes the first test for what I want from Rise Against, which is capital-E Energy.