RISE AGAINST - Nowhere Generation

June 2, 2021 Sense Crew

Pictured: Joe Principe, Tim McIlrath, Brandon Barnes + Zach Blair - RISE AGAINST
Photographer: Jason Seigl

Out of Nowhere

Written by: Darcy Moore - Sense Music Media

This Friday RISE AGAINST return to the sound waves with their 9th studio album Nowhere Generation. This marks 4 years since the band's last release in 2017, and a landmark 20 year anniversary since the release of the bands first LP The Unraveling. During their career the band has amassed huge worldwide popularity, swiping up multiple gold and platinum records over a bunch of countries and that seems to be the tip of the iceberg in regard to the amount of audio content the Chicago band have produced.

Pictured: Tim McIlrath, Joe Principe, Zach Blair + Brandon Barnes - RISE AGAINST
Images by: Wyatt Troll

The Review

It would feel weird to me and unfair to the reader if I didn’t open with the full disclosure that I haven’t listened to RISE AGAINST in a very long time. Of course, the band has been in my peripheral. They come on at parties, I’ve watched bands covers them and if a friend asked me if I liked them I would reply “Yeah, for sure” but, dip my head and play ignorant if the conversation went deeper than that. So maybe it’s serendipitous that on the 20th anniversary of their first release that I blow off the dust and spin the band once again.

It’s hardly a fish story to think that RISE AGAINST’ musical agenda may be in revolt to something and, often a systematic capitalist structure where the underdogs have the odds continuously stacked against them. In lead up to the release, lead singer Tim McIlrath said:

“Today there is the promise of the American Dream, and then there is the reality of the American Dream. America’s 'historical norm' that the next generation will be better off than the one that came before has been diminished by an era of mass social, economic, and political instability and a sell-out of the Middle Class. The brass ring that was promised by hard work and dedication no longer exists for everyone. When the privileged climb the ladder of success and then burn it from the top, disruption becomes the only answer.”

Pictured: Joe Principe, Tim McIlrath, Zach Blair + Brandon Barnes - RISE AGAINST
Photographer: Wyatt Troll

The album’s front runner track ‘The Numbers’ opens the new show with fist-pumping, anthem sounds - no holds barred. The band made a smart decision by not making it the first single off the record, it would have been an easy decision; It’s exciting and fits in well with the album’s ideals, but with what’s been released already this will definitely further perk up listeners ears.

‘Sudden Urge’ is very much a rock song. It continues the energy of its album’s predecessor but in a slower, Americana fashion. I think this song was put second to allow two types of punk-rock listeners start to enjoy the album. Same umbrella, different rain.

The album’s title track ‘Nowhere Generation’ will schmooze into a radio play. It also elicits the band's literal title point but I’m sort of scared it will get the front page on commercial radio play and people will dismiss the album. Not to say it doesn’t have its enjoyable points, it's just personally - like the crust on a cheesecake, not the best part.

‘Taking to ourselves’ may be the catchiest/poppiest song on the record. It may take a couple of listens but it’s a good track and I can see this being a tap-the-steering-wheel to the drums while singing along type. Drive safe, people!

‘Broken Dreams Inc.’ originally released for DC Comics, towards the end of last year, and therefore the first single/taste of the new album. This song seems to have a lot of love. from what people have heard and really engaging it too much earlier releases of RA. This song will be nicely put upon the album’s mantelpiece.

‘Forfeit’ has the necessary but predictable change of pace. A mid-album, acoustic, ballad track which normally - I’m here for. Unfortunately, this one doesn’t quite hit the mark for me. The song carries some unneeded instrumental cameos. Perhaps left alone with vocals and guitar, this song would bring a simpler, more powerful, tone to the album as a whole, adding an overall balance.

The next song ‘Monarch’ comes in fast like a swing in the dark and picks up the pace, immediately. Spitting in a very different musical direction. This is where the album starts its intended dive into its last act.

‘Sounds Like’ is a very similar pace. Ironically on the nose to the band's style. The saving grace comes for me with drummer, Brandon Barnes, roll and floor tom pre-chorus break with McIlrath, the accompanying melody to then breach into the chorus.

‘Sooner or Later’ has a very comparable sound to a few songs earlier on the record mixed with moments of screaming from McIlrath.

‘Middle of a Dream’ is the classic 10th song on the album filler, but if you didn’t know who it was and someone put it on you may be like “Hey, who’s this?” it hits the mark but the nights getting late. Just as ‘Rules of Play’ fades out the record just fine. The chorus’s punk breakdowns and bridge feels familiar but who doesn’t go back for cheese?

Pictured: Tim McIlrath, Zach Blair, Brandon Barnes + Joe Principe - RISE AGAINST
Photographer: Jason Seigl

The Verdict

All in all, this is a good album. It will slot in nicely to your RA collection. If you enjoyed their last two and if you want to go back further, you’ll see some song styles in the mirror. I could listen to this LP and (in my mind) direct some music videos and that’s a bunch of fun. This album will grow on old listeners who are a bit reserved but will grab new ones coming in.