Rise Against: Tim (vocals, guitar); Joe (bass instrument, background vocals); Chris, Brandon.
Recording information: Plumper Mountain Sound, Gibson's BC, Canada; Warehouse Studios, Vancouver, Canada.
For its third full-length, Rise Against side steps the pop-punk breakup music saturating the scene in 2004. Instead, the Chicago quartet channels classic punk-rock unrest, brandishing socially conscious lyrics in front of a backdrop of eager melody and tireless hardcore energy. SIREN SONG OF THE COUNTER CULTURE stretches itself stylistically, from the thrashy "State of the Union" to the compellingly melodic "Tip the Scales" to the acoustic ballad "Swing Life Away." Feverishly poppy and catchy, "Rumors of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated" captures Rise Against at their best, waving the punk-rock banner proudly for a new generation of fans.