Rise Against
Ricochet


3.5
great

Review

by Stormy Smiley Face USER (115 Reviews)
August 23rd, 2025 | 25 replies


Release Date: 08/15/2025 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Maturity takes over the depressing themes of the last few albums and better songwriting has returned.

I became a big Rise Against hater several years ago. The old days of the best modern political punk band were fading and Black Market had just released. I felt the vigor was gone and the vocals were losing honest passion and giving way to true despair. Several albums later and things only became worse. The one bright spot was the b side and live compilation released in the late 2010s; a compilation that had some Bruce Springsteen live feels (and a cover) and was the best Rise Against sounded since Appeal To Reason. That vibe has finally been found on an official Rise Against LP with Ricochet.

Tim's vocals are back to being earnest and passionate with a feel of an older grizzled vet finding their pocket again. The songs may not be pure punk anymore but Rise Against have stopped the boring songs from previous albums and injected good songwriting into their more modern dad rock sound. Long gone are the days of the young band pulling off State of the Union Address, but now they have learned space and timing can be just as effective as bangers. More variation in the sounds of individual songs helps the album along as well. If they keep this energy and mindset on the next album they might even return to the mainstream again. I look forward to seeing the ricochet affect on the next album and while I wait I can enjoy this album several times and mature with a band I once raged with and now reflect with.



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user ratings (70)
2.1
poor
other reviews of this album
renegadestrings (2.5)
A Fire in the Misfire...



Comments:Add a Comment 
Storm In A Teacup
August 23rd 2025


47084 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

yay

Rolling Girl
August 24th 2025


2144 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I want to believe you on this. But the singles haven't given me much hope.

Storm In A Teacup
August 24th 2025


47084 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

The singles are the first 3 songs you can start on 4 and never have to hear them

Storm In A Teacup
August 24th 2025


47084 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

And 4 is actually really cool

KrillBoi
August 25th 2025


549 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

Glad you got something out of this, but I was frankly in disbelief at points during my first listen at how some of these choices and vocal-takes ever got the green flag.

WalterSobchak
August 25th 2025


36 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I don't understand how Nod is a song that ever made it past the writing room floor. Album makes Wolves sound like a 5





the Manchester Orchestra feature was pretty cool though.

WalterSobchak
August 25th 2025


36 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I don't understand how Nod is a song that ever made it past the writing room floor. Album makes Wolves sound like a 5





the Manchester Orchestra feature was pretty cool though.

Ectier
August 25th 2025


4581 Comments


At this point all i want from the band is more ghost note symphonies.

jmh886
August 25th 2025


3003 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0 | Sound Off

i am in disbelief this actually got a positive review

Storm In A Teacup
August 26th 2025


47084 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

It happens

OverSlyZed91
August 26th 2025


469 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5 | Sound Off

You lie.



PickleVai17
August 26th 2025


279 Comments

Album Rating: 1.0 | Sound Off

Terrible album.

Rolling Girl
August 29th 2025


2144 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Finally got around to this. I think the song writing on this is pretty decent for the most part, but as people have been saying, Tim's voice here really just holds this thing back. It's like they tried to intentionally muddle his voice for some reason and the instrumentals aren't interesting [i]enough[i] to make up for it.



The butt-rock-isms on I Want it All make me laugh tho

Wildcardbitchesss
September 5th 2025


19607 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

god damn this band should call it a day

Wildcardbitchesss
September 5th 2025


19607 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

good god they’re co headlining with papa roach… tell me you’ve hit rock bottom without telling me you’ve hit rock bottom, and underoath opening?



Two has beens and one never-was, sounds like a fun time

Wildcardbitchesss
September 5th 2025


19607 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

eh, im only halfway through but this isn’t terrible

Sowing
Moderator
September 5th 2025


45528 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Yeah I don't hate it either. Definitely not their best. I said this in the other thread but the song featuring Manchester Orchestra's singer is actually great.

Futures
Contributing Reviewer
September 5th 2025


17210 Comments


yeah i bet it's fine but i just have no drive to listen to their stuff post appeal to reason. it will be completely ok.

Sowing
Moderator
September 5th 2025


45528 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

That was definitely their last essential album

bloodshy
September 10th 2025


2773 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Maybe they forgot to mix the mix. Or they put in salt instead of sugar.



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