Tracks
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The Black Market is Rise Against's 7th studio album and like any music from a band that has been around for some time with a strong following, it will divide old fans while attracting new. Tim McIlrath's voice carries both the melodic tunes and the screaming vocals of a good punk band well and is easy on the ears.
The album starts with “The Great Die Off”, calm and quiet drawing you in then builds in volume and intensity quickly. It is a great way to start off the latests album.
Track 2 “I Don't Wanna Be Here Any More” was the first single released off the album, and with good reason. It starts fast and does not disappoint throughout. The chorus is catchy and repetitive verses make this song familiar on the first listen. The song's themes are relateable to everyone and it's cathartic to shout along with the chorus “I don't wanna be here any more!”.
Tragedy + Time has a real punk guitar and drum sound and the chorus is so catchy you can't help but sing along. A slower song that still manages the intensity of earlier tracks. The tempo changes are used to the greatest effect in this song and the lyrics are engaging and nostalgic. A song about moving on and looking forward while still reflecting on the past, we all have times when we are “holding on to laugh again someday”.
The title song, The Blackest Market, is a political commentary on the choices we make. It has great bass runs that leads you through the lyrics. Again the tempo changes are used to great effect and this song has the strongest anthemic feel of this album.
While “The Eco-Terrorist in Me” seems to appeal to older Rise Against fans I did not connect personally, it is a traditional punk song, fast paced and full of screaming lyrics. This song also marks the first turning point of the album. Following on comes “Sudden Life” which also disappoints after the great first few songs. “Sudden Life” is more melodic and acts as a contrast to “The Eco-Terrorist in Me”.
All “A Beautiful Indifference” managed to rise in me was a complete indifference. There was nothing in this song to make it stand out. "Methadone" feels out of place on this album and there is nothing particularly of any mention in this track either.
"Zero Visibility" is much more a rock song. It is another slower song, without the tempo of the first few tracks, the focus is definitely on the music and there are a couple of very nice guitar solos within that redeem it from being another of the filler tracks.
The speed and tempo changes return with “Awake too Long”. The strong political feel is back with awake to long being synonymous with having seen/know too much and wishing things were different. This is another repetitive and catchy tune that becomes instantly familiar and will have you singing along before the track is over.
The album changes again with “People Live Here”, an acoustic track with some strings thrown in for good measure. And it works. This is a melodic, sad reflective song, full of emotion and if you are a bit on the sensitive side can easily have you in tears as you listen. There are elements of hope to this track and while different from everything else on this record and much of what else Rise Against has produced, is beautiful and worth listening too.
The album ends with Bridges, and the return of the fast punky tempo. It ends with anthemic chanting that finishes the record of nicely.
The album starts with “The Great Die Off”, calm and quiet drawing you in then builds in volume and intensity quickly. It is a great way to start off the latests album.
Track 2 “I Don't Wanna Be Here Any More” was the first single released off the album, and with good reason. It starts fast and does not disappoint throughout. The chorus is catchy and repetitive verses make this song familiar on the first listen. The song's themes are relateable to everyone and it's cathartic to shout along with the chorus “I don't wanna be here any more!”.
Tragedy + Time has a real punk guitar and drum sound and the chorus is so catchy you can't help but sing along. A slower song that still manages the intensity of earlier tracks. The tempo changes are used to the greatest effect in this song and the lyrics are engaging and nostalgic. A song about moving on and looking forward while still reflecting on the past, we all have times when we are “holding on to laugh again someday”.
The title song, The Blackest Market, is a political commentary on the choices we make. It has great bass runs that leads you through the lyrics. Again the tempo changes are used to great effect and this song has the strongest anthemic feel of this album.
While “The Eco-Terrorist in Me” seems to appeal to older Rise Against fans I did not connect personally, it is a traditional punk song, fast paced and full of screaming lyrics. This song also marks the first turning point of the album. Following on comes “Sudden Life” which also disappoints after the great first few songs. “Sudden Life” is more melodic and acts as a contrast to “The Eco-Terrorist in Me”.
All “A Beautiful Indifference” managed to rise in me was a complete indifference. There was nothing in this song to make it stand out. "Methadone" feels out of place on this album and there is nothing particularly of any mention in this track either.
"Zero Visibility" is much more a rock song. It is another slower song, without the tempo of the first few tracks, the focus is definitely on the music and there are a couple of very nice guitar solos within that redeem it from being another of the filler tracks.
The speed and tempo changes return with “Awake too Long”. The strong political feel is back with awake to long being synonymous with having seen/know too much and wishing things were different. This is another repetitive and catchy tune that becomes instantly familiar and will have you singing along before the track is over.
The album changes again with “People Live Here”, an acoustic track with some strings thrown in for good measure. And it works. This is a melodic, sad reflective song, full of emotion and if you are a bit on the sensitive side can easily have you in tears as you listen. There are elements of hope to this track and while different from everything else on this record and much of what else Rise Against has produced, is beautiful and worth listening too.
The album ends with Bridges, and the return of the fast punky tempo. It ends with anthemic chanting that finishes the record of nicely.
Intro: Okay so it's been quite a while since Rise Against has formed and each album they pour their hearts out with crazy tempo shifts and melodic justice. In this review I'll break down the album into a few segments starting with-
TONE: The tone of this album is definitely evidence of how the band has and is maturing. They're not just some kids anymore but they still have the same heart and soul into what they are writing and how it's portrayed.
LYRICS: The lyrics in The Black Market are just as exciting and poetic as past albums. A prime example is from The Eco Terrorist In Me as it echoes: "When it all comes down, will you say you did everything you could? When it all comes down, can you say that you never gave up?" Each song Tells a different story in a different way.
ALBUM PROGRESSION: From start to finish the album never gets boring and the many times I've listened from beginning to end the listener can really hear the band come together like many other albums and show that they have something to say and they are not the same as x band or y group. Songs like The Great Die Off, The Black Market, and Methadone are stand outs of this album.
OVERALL APPEAL: If you're looking for a solid Rise Against-save a solid rock/punk album then this is for you. If you're looking for something that is going to change rock and be revolutionary then you may want to look else where. As far as Rise Against CD's go this isn't top tier but it is one of the better albums and is worth a listen. Check it out!
4/5
TONE: The tone of this album is definitely evidence of how the band has and is maturing. They're not just some kids anymore but they still have the same heart and soul into what they are writing and how it's portrayed.
LYRICS: The lyrics in The Black Market are just as exciting and poetic as past albums. A prime example is from The Eco Terrorist In Me as it echoes: "When it all comes down, will you say you did everything you could? When it all comes down, can you say that you never gave up?" Each song Tells a different story in a different way.
ALBUM PROGRESSION: From start to finish the album never gets boring and the many times I've listened from beginning to end the listener can really hear the band come together like many other albums and show that they have something to say and they are not the same as x band or y group. Songs like The Great Die Off, The Black Market, and Methadone are stand outs of this album.
OVERALL APPEAL: If you're looking for a solid Rise Against-save a solid rock/punk album then this is for you. If you're looking for something that is going to change rock and be revolutionary then you may want to look else where. As far as Rise Against CD's go this isn't top tier but it is one of the better albums and is worth a listen. Check it out!
4/5