The Unraveling

Rise Against's The Unraveling seems to be a bit of a change for Fat Wreck Chords. Oh, it's still punk (surprisingly, it was recorded by Mass Giorgini), it's just a lot more aggressive and not nearly as cheesy as many of the label's acts. This album is not poppy, and there's no juvenile humor; Rise Against is a pretty tough band and The Unraveling shows that aspect. The vocals have a good deal of melody and range, yet can break into screaming at any moment, as many of the tracks show. Songs like "Everchanging" show the possibilities that the Chicago quartet is capable of. The lyrics are mature and thoughtful, dealing with friendships and relationships, religion and memories. Similar comparisons could be made to Whippersnapper and Grey Area, yet there are certain ways The Unraveling stands out on its own, primarily in its use of melody in the vocals. While Whippersnapper's vocals are more metal and Grey Area's punk, Rise Against is melodic hardcore. Showing that they're not too far from their roots in 88 Fingers Louie, the punk energy is pure and unadulterated here. If there were ever an album to help bring back the finger pointing and circle pits, The Unraveling might be a good bet. ~ Kurt Morris