4.5 superb

Super Jens STAFF | July 5th 06

For me the best Rise Against have presented so far. Yes, they do not really leave the boundaries of their known songs. Still they try out a few new things. Like the spoken story song "The approaching curve", or instrumentations like cello or strings on "Roadside". It's all just one line of shout-and-sing-along-songs, with a message behind it as well. Best song: Survive, definately. So far, this is probably one of the best albums of 2006 for me. 5 Bumps | Bump

5.0 classic	ChaosInACan | April 1st 08
Pure pwnage. I experianced audio nirvana while listening to this. It's pretty impressive when a slow song of a punk/hard rock album is excellent. The Good Left Undone, Ready To Fall, Chamber The Cartridge, and hell, every song on here is perfection. There is no reason to not buy this. 3 Bumps | Bump

5.0 classic

James | April 25th 09

Rise Against hits us with a rollicking wallop of an album that further establishes the Chicago-based outfit as one of the great bright hopes for the future of the pop/punk/rock scene. Cut from the same savvy cloth as Bad Religion and Black Flag, Rise Against rocks hard during the martial opus opener, "Chamber The Cartridge," the melodic "Injection," which asks us to imagine that Iron Maiden came from sunny California and not some dreary part of London, and "Ready To Fall," which may be one of the greatest anthems of adolescent estrangement. The band also isn't afraid of a good hook and scintillating melody ("Under The Knife"), exploring complex emotions ("Roadside"), or unleashing a bit of old-school breakneck fury sans apology ("Brick"). All of these things demonstrate that Rise Against is drawing from a broader palette than many of its counterparts, one of the reasons it will (indeed, already has) rise above the masses of sound-alike acts vying for the attention of the younger generations. 2 Bumps | Bump

5.0 classic

Steven McMahan | February 12th 09

There's plenty of debate amongst fans about which Rise Against album is the best, and my first warm experience is still my pick for their greatest achievement. Here, Rise Against fully embraced the 'melodic' in the 'melodic hardcore' tag that has followed them since their inception, while keeping enough of their former fury to make it still sound like the same band. That's only the beginning though; Sufferer... also contains the best cohesive flow in the RA catalog, it has Tim's best vocal performance, and it has the highest average quality. Last but certainly not least, I know any efforts to find a ballad on a punk album as good as "Roadside" would be in vain. Ending with three of the best songs to ever close a record, The Sufferer And the Witness never gets old, never loses its impact, and will always be the standard by which I measure other punk albums. Classic in almost every sense of the word. 2 Bumps | Bump

5.0 classic

AmericnZero02 | August 6th 07

Once again Rise Against shows that they know how to improve the things they already do well while at the same time experimenting with new sounds. In The Sufferer and the Witness Rise Against finds a way to deepen the lyrical content and greatly improve the musicianship and adapt them to their trademark sound. Nearly all of these tracks are exceptional and memorable in one way or another. This is without question the band's best album to date. 2 Bumps | Bump

5.0 classic

Davey Boy STAFF | March 17th 09

'The Sufferer & The Witness' is a sensational album which delivers energetic, passionate & accessible punk rock. Rise Against have achieved the difficult task of not selling out their origins, yet furthering all facets of their music to become a little more mainstream through improved production levels and choruses. It is often difficult not to shout along with lead vocalist Tim McIlrath or be drawn in by the extremely effective lyrics. With many highlight tracks, and what could be the best trio to "ever" close out an album, Rise Against deserve all the success they achieve following this release. Recommended Tracks: Survive, Ready To Fall, The Good Left Undone, Prayer of the Refugee, Drones & Roadside. 1 Bumps | Bump

5.0 classic

Jack Ray | April 18th 08

Have you ever read the book 1984? The book is about a future government that spies on just about everything the individual does. In the book, author George Orwell illustrates the concept of doublethink. To doublethink something is to believe two contradictory ideas at once. So if I think the grass is blue, but the government tells me that the grass is green, I believe both of these. Rise Against album "The Sufferer And The Witness" evoked a doublethink on me. The album makes me feel happy, as punk rock has a happy sound to it, but can also make me as pissed as Tim sounds in some of the lyrics. I don't know how this happens but it does. The album is simply a beautiful entry into the world of punk rock, with the two guitarists playing simply just adding to the music, not terrorizing it. The bass is plucked nicely, be it by hand or pick. And the drumming is simple but complicated, setting that rough, gnarly tone for the rest of the album. From the opening line of Chamber The Cartridge to the closing FU's of the final Survive, The Sufferer And The Witness is a beautiful album that most punk bands should look up to. 1 Bumps | Bump

4.5 superb	fromtheinside | August 27th 09
This is everything Rise Against should be, as they sound as comfortable as ever delivering one of the greatest Punk/Rock mainstream hits, Prayer of the Refugee. The entire album is crafted to unnerve ones emotions with several trivial topics and issues at hand. The band bring the element of life to the forefront, of what may be their greatest album when time looks back. Bump

5.0 classic	Doug Belfast | May 7th 09
What can be said? This album grabs you hook, line and sinker from the opening minutes. The tracks run smoothly into each other with all being as catchy and a great listen as the last! Bump

4.0 excellent	Kyle Hallman | July 7th 08
Great album, a powerful and though provoking listen. They consistently write good lyrics. However I still feel as Siren song as my favourite release. But this album seems to be more a favourite and I can understand the attraction and power that occurs constantly on all the tracks. Bump

4.5 superb

PhillyBNew | March 15th 07

From the beginning of their recordings to this current album and the many performances between, Rise Against doesn't hold back. Tim never wastes time when it comes to throwing intense and catchy music all-around the stage, beating both sides of your skull, demanding that you listen further. The lyrics contain no or VERY little bull, and they've also proven that a peaceful, loving and melodic side exists, briefly. Bump

5.0 classic	wakeupdead | February 7th 07
I am so glad that the people of sputnik pushed me to get this! Every track being perfect pop-punk-rock music! And was only like 10 bucks so, not a bad price. I especially like Ready To Fall and Injection. Any punk/rock/metal fan should own this! Awesome album! Bump

0.0	Fort23 | December 17th 06
Awesome album i put 1.5 by accident. Tim's vocals are deeper and more melodic, with heavy guitars and realy fluid and elaborate bass lines. Drumming is hard and has realy good beat. Their bes album next to RPM which is incredible... Bump

5.0 classic	moth783 | September 9th 06
From out of nowhere Rise Against has been brought to my attention and well deservingly. They are an extremely talented band and I really enjoy there music. I'll have to check out there first three albums. Bump

4.0 excellent

Ashes in the fall | August 14th 06

A very good album overall with some excellent tracks. This album is solid overall. The main problem I have with this album is that the stand out tracks do not compare to some of their other stuff, but then again this isn't to much of a problem for a band of this calibre. The sound and style etc. remains as before but slightly less hitting. Change is good but not when you have such a kick-ass band like Rise Against. Bump

4.5 superb

creaselightning247 | August 12th 06

This album is deffinatley one of they're best. the songs on it have that classic rise against sound that is apparent in the the first 2 albums. i dont no how this can be compared to siren song of the counter culture because that is easily theyre worst album (its to commercial sounding). RPM's is still theyre best album for me but this album is amazing-but anything that rise against throws out there is gonna cream over any band :D Bump