Rise Against – ‘Nowhere Generation’ (Spinefarm)

By Jonny Bakes

I’m going to start things off with a confession – I absolutely love Rise Against. They’re one of those punk bands from my teenage years that seems to have grown up with me, and not the other way round. This means that even though I’m now in my 30s (please don’t remind me) I still feel a connection to each new album they release. When I first heard the title track, ‘Nowhere Generation’, I just knew that I had to get my hands on this album to see if it meets my ever-increasing expectations of TIm McIlrath and the lads. Fortunately, I’m in such a role that allows me to get an early taste of an album for me, my generation, and those that have followed – the ‘Nowhere Generation’.

Rise Against are a band who I feel need no real introduction to anyone who hit their tean/young adult years in the 2000s. Whether it’s only through playing ‘Prayer of the Refugee’ on Guitar Hero 3, or hearing tracks like ‘Satellite’, ‘Hero of War’ or ‘Give It All’ on Kerrang! or Scuzz, it’s unlikely you’ll have escaped exposure to Rise Against. From their early days being picked up on Fat Mike’s record label, Fat Wreck Chords, to hitting the big time with ‘Siren Song of the Counter Culture’ in 2004 and the string of successful releases thereafter, Rise Against have arguably been at the top of their game. So, will ‘Nowhere Generation’ continue that trend of success? My short answer is “fuck yes it should!”

‘Nowhere Generation’ is everything I’ve come to expect from Rise Against. It’s packed to the rafters with fast paced melodic punk tunes that resonate with me in such a way that many bands can achieve. As always, there are references to the current sorry state of affairs in the USA and just about everywhere in the world. But while the lyrical content can be pretty harrowing there is always that overtone of rallying and rebellion that makes you want to take a stand. Hell, at times it’s like the modern punk equivalent of ‘Do You Hear the People Sing?’ from Les Miserables in that ‘Nowhere Generation’ could quite possibly be the soundtrack to a revolution.

The album kicks off with ‘The Numbers’ which is an absolute belter and a classic Rise Against style call to arms. The chorus of “They have the power, but we have the numbers now” will likely end up bouncing around your head for days, as it has done for me. It’s a song that’ll resonate with anyone who feels like they’re breaking their backs to keep afloat, or indeed being worked like horses. It offers a real sense of hope and camaraderie that is carried across in Tim McIlrath’s vocals as he passionately belts out each line with just as much energy as he was doing back in the early 2000s. It’s a fantastic way to open the album and things go from strength to strength throughout with only a brief respite for the acoustic ‘Forfeit’.

Another highlight for me is ‘Broken Dreams, Inc.’ that I had somehow missed when it came out late last year! Considering how well this stands out on the album though, it’s no surprise that it was chosen as a leading single. The format will feel instantly comfortable to Rise Against fans and, in fact, would be a track I would show to someone if they were to ask me what the band sound like. It’s got everything you could want from a Rise Against – scathing commentary on modern society belted out by Tim McIlrath backed with blistering rhythms from Brandon Barnes and Joe Principe, and melodic guitars from Zach Blair for good measure.

So, all in all, this is yet another blindingly great album from Rise Against! It’s everything that I could have wanted and it’s certainly a strong early contender for a spot in my albums of the year for sure. If you’re already a Rise Against fan, like me, then you should be making sure to get hold of this. If you’re not a fan, then why the hell not? If you’re pretty pissed off at how the world is working and want some music that’ll resonate with that and allow an outlet for your frustrations, then ‘Nowhere Generation’ is perfect for that job.

‘Nowhere Generation’ is released on Friday (4 June). You can get your copy HERE.

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