Rise Against Album: “Endgame”

When "The Unraveling" came out, I was blown away. One of the best hardcore/punk albums in my opinion. "Revolutions Per Minute" continued with greatness, with great lyrics, anger, and speed. "Siren Song..." and "The Sufferer..." were both great in their own rights, but "Appeal To Reason" is where a downward curve began. "AtR" had some kick-ass songs, but the bad songs were really bad. "Endgame"... very safe, too long, too slow.

Some pretty good songs featured here ("Architects", "Survivor Guilt", "Satellite"), but there doesn't seem to be any songs that are really great. On the other hand, no songs are really bad either. It's a very middle-of-the-road album.

I bought it, I don't regret it, but after a few songs I always just end up putting "The Unraveling" back on.

Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Rise Against and I enjoy the music of this record. But the vinyl, at least the one I got, is very poorly mixed. It's too compressed, and it's hard to understand the vocals with everything boosted. But I can look past that. What really bothers me is that it periodically slows down just enough to make it fall very noticeably out of tune. It's especially apparent any time a note is held out on the guitar. At first I thought it was just an effect on the song until it started happening on every single one of them. So what I recommend is that if you want to buy this as just a collectible, go ahead. Just don't play it.

Rise Against has been a mainstay in my music catalog since 2004 when i bought Siren Song For The Counter Culture on a whim because my best friend told me to check them out. One thing Rise Against does not do is DISAPPOINT!!! They never have every album they have put out has been in the 4 Star range for me and Endgame is no exception. I constantly read reviews with people saying that it sounds to much like AtR and that AtR wasn't that good because it didnt sound like there older stuff (the Unraveling and SSFTCC) SOOOO WHHAATT? Rise Against has done what every band out there (if they have intelligence) and adapted with the times. Every band has done it you cant tell me TOOL's (2006) 10,000 Days sounds anything like (1993) Undertow because it doesnt plain and simple. Endgame does sound like AtR in some aspect but very differnt in others and i like the direction the band is going. There are some pure Gold songs on this album (Satelitte, Architects, Help Is On The Way, Make It Stop, Wait For Me, Endgame, Survivor Guilt) and all the other songs on the album are very listenable just not as enjoyable but still Grade B quality s***. This album just flows so well just go to Track 1 all the way to the End and it just seems to flow so well and you know what to me Appeal To Reason did the exact same thing and that is something you cant replicate. My favorite album from Rise Against is SSTTCC and i know that Rise Against will never hit that level and will never sound exactly like that ever again but Endgame and Appeal To Reason are both adaquete and excellent albums and i couldnt ask for anything else. The catchy chorus' and the guitar riffs are put together so well Tim is and absolute complete Lead man for this band everything fits well with these guys they are truely a band built to last and like my title says What Exactly is Wrong with Appeal To Reason II

It's been a few years since their last album came out, and I've to say I couldn't wait for this album to come out. This album is a mix of things. This album is interesting from start to finish. I've been a fan of Rise Against for six years now. I've always wondered what they would come out with next. This album is alright, but it's not their best album to date. The musical style on this album isn't my favorite, but it's good. There is a lot of songs on this album I really like:

1. Midnight Hands ( This is my favorite song on this album )

2. Wait For Me

3. This is Letting Go

4. Endgame

5. Help is On The Way

6. Make It Stop ( September's Children )

7. Satellite

I don't connect with the rest of the album, like I connect with these songs, they are amazing. I personally think this is a really good album, but could have been better, just a little bit. I am happy with this album for the most part, and I recommend this album.

I read a review from someone else on here who said that he didn't think the album was that good at first, but it really grew on him. I have to say I completely agree. At first listen, I honestly thought this album kinda' sucked. But, because I like RA so much, I paid good $ for the album, and because I have learned not to discount albums after only one or 2 listens, I kept listening to it.

Now, I can honestly say that I like it at least as much as "The Sufferer...", which I loved. I also agree with what the other reviewer said about how albums that take a while to grow on me, but I end up liking, usually end up being some of my very favorite ones. And so I think it will be with this one. I think the reason I didn't like it at first is because there is a bigger variety of sounds on this one than the last one. But that variety is what makes it deeper, and more interesting over time. I think this is going to end up being one of my favorites of all time. I really like Midnight Hands as of this moment, and I'm sure I will have many more faves as time passes.

Great album. If you bought it and didn't like it, I would encourage you to give it another listen or 2, or 3 - then see if you still don't like it. Something tells me you just might find that you do like it.