Rise Against’s fifth album “Appeal to Reason” strays far from its previous projects by not only staying in tune with the bands evolving sound, but with current economical issues as well.

The newest album comes in an environmentally friendly package consisting of recycled materials and vegetable inks. True to its form, the band interjects its political beliefs into many of the tracks like “Collapse (Post Amerika),” which is a tribute to its feelings on the environment.

One of the most compelling tracks “Hero of War,” the war is personalized by the experiences of a military recruit experiencing all of the stages involved in being a soldier. The band remarks that the events in the song are based on the documentary “The Ground Truth.”

Never fear Rise Against fans, the album stays true to the band’s roots and offers the same hardcore sound it is known for. In both “Re-Education (Through Labor)” and “Whereabouts Unknown” fans get the expected rough yet enjoyable noise they have come accustomed to.

If you think that the band is only a cookie-cutter hardcore/punk band, you are very much mistaken. Rise Against has succeeded beautifully in its attempt at conveying important messages while obtaining humility.

In the track “Entertainment,” the band repeats “All we are is entertainment” and perfectly expresses enough self-criticism that the band’s fans don’t feel as if they’re being lectured to.

“The Dirt Whispered” most connects with the band’s past projects; it is quick and has a lot of the same screaming vocals as the previous albums. However, I could have done with a bit more attack in some songs.

“Appeal” and “The Strength To Go On” were a little too drawn out and began to sound too similar to “Audience of One” and “From Heads Unworthy.” The beat is similar in these songs and the rhythm runs together and beings to sound like one long song. The subject matter varies in these songs but it pulls away from the originality in the lyrics when the songs all begin to sound the same.

No project is perfect but Rise Against came pretty close this time. With well-constructed beats and vocals, the band memebers did a great job of progressing as artists while still providing what they have received so much popularity for. Other than a few slow points the album is definitely a success and provides all the fans desire: truth, insight, and education, with a little bit of screaming.

Amanda Pollard can be reached at [email protected]