Rise Against - Ricochet (August 15th, 2025) Album • Page 14

It’s also true that Tim was dissatisfied with the production of their best album.

 

I don't think working with a different producer was a bad idea, but I think that in every single song released so far, Tim sounds flat for extended points in a way that makes them not appealing to listen to. I dunno, maybe at this point there seems to be a pattern of otherwise talented producers failing to capture Tim's vocals.

Hell, I was excited when I saw Marks' resume next to the words "upcoming Rise Against album"! I listened to the live version of I Want It All on repeat. The studio version fails to capture the energy. The whole thing so far has big square peg / round hole energy.

The guitar part at the beginning of Ricochet is cute, and sounds like a Marks addition, or at least the band trying something new. That's cool, but the song as a whole doesn't grab me. I had The Numbers pop on on shuffle not long ago and it's hooks for days. That's been missing so far.

I'll give the album a listen, but I've gone from hyped to see where they go after Nowhere Generation to being completely flat. Not unlike Tim's vocals. Rimshot.

 

Boy.

Rise Against – ‘RICOCHET’

On one hand, I love seeing that the songs themselves might rule. But as a recorded experience, reading the words “harsh” and “bad” over and over makes me groan.

This might be their “Damage,” which absolutely sucks!

 

I’m 4/4 on this so far which seems to be a hot take. I think “Ricochet” sounds really cool and different for them, “I Want it All” was also a different vibe. I don’t think “Nod” or “Prizefighter” sound all that different to what I expect from RA. My only gripe is I feel like I’ve been waiting for it forever! Also seems bold to drop the first 3 tracks and closer as pre-release. That’s just personal preference though.

 

Anybody surprised by the songwriting here hasn't been listening to Rise Against for the last decade, TBH. If anything I think leaning harder into the "pure radio-rock" of their sound works better for them here than trying to straddle the line like they sometimes do. And some of the production choices/flourishes are actually pretty cool.

The songs themselves are catchy and I can hear how they'd go over pretty well live ("I Want It All" and "Ricochet" in particular; those songs go). But there's something about the mix or whatever here that's throwing it for me. It sounds a bit too treble-y when things get loud. It might grow on me over time but for now... I dunno... I'm not feeling it.

But I know I'll listen to the album day of release, regardless so I'm hoping that'll change my mind. LOL

 

My ears hate this for lots of reasons

 

In the interests of balance I really like this performance