The latest from Chicago hardcore rockers Rise Against, The Sufferer & The Witness, is a heavy dark look at what's going on today. That's not really surprising, given the impression that vocalist Tim Mcilrath painted of the world and his take on it currently in a recent interview.
The Sneak Previews Were a Bit Modest
As the album neared its release date, Rise Against made several tracks available for preview online. These were "Ready To Fall" (Listen/Download), with its disturbing, yet meaningful video, "Drones" (Listen/Download), "Chamber the Cartridge" (Listen/Download), and "Injection" (Listen/Download). While the tracks varied a bit in sound, they all pointed to what would be the darker sound of The Sufferer & The Witness.
This dark vibe is apparent throughout the whole album. Consistent with the way Rise Against freely discuss their political beliefs without being and overly political band, The Sufferer & The Witness points toward a grim future, without rubbing your nose in it.
Too many times, when a band previews tracks from an upcoming album, they lead with their best tracks first. And too many times, the rest of an album ends up being much weaker than previewed tracks (bait and switch, anyone?). This isn't the case with Rise Against's latest album.
Although the tracks that were previewed may be some of the most radio friendly tracks on the album, and they are definitely indicative of the general sound and feel of The Sufferer & The Witness, there are definitely some tracks that are stronger and more solid than what's been previously made available. This is mainly due to the fact that the entire album is so tight, that it's hard to figure out what to lead with.
The fast, heavy-hitting hardcore track "Chamber The Cartridge" and the slower, more melodic, yet still powerful "Ready To Fall" are definitely two of the best tracks on the album, but in addition to the songs that avid fans have been able to hear online, there are some tight tracks on the album that haven't been previewed. These include "Bricks" (Listen/Download), a 90-second fast punk tune with some Bad Religion-inspired riffs, and "Under The Knife" (Listen/Download), another more melodic tune that reminds me a bit of older songs by another Chicago band, Alkaline Trio.
Although this album has no "Swing Life Away" (Listen/Download), it does have its softer moments, most notably on the dark melodic "Roadside" (Listen/Download), a duet with Emily Schambra (Holy Roman Empire) which features strings and piano.
The Sufferer & The Witness is a solid album, dark without being depressing, and somewhat brooding without being overly melodramatic. It's an album you'll rock out to, but it's also an album that will make you think about what's going on around you, and what you can do about it.
Release Date - July 4, 2006
