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Rise Against at Tulagi in Boulder, CO 2/18/03
Chicago "punk-rock" outfit Rise Against took the stage in full stride at Tulagi in Boulder, CO in front of a near-capacity crowd on a Tuesday night. Despite the fact that most of the people attending this show were probably only there because they heard Rise Against on a Fat Wreck Chords compilation, the entire audience embraced what this underrated band offered up, including both new songs and songs from the bands debut. The first three songs of the set featured strictly rehearsed material from their first album leaving the "hard-core" fan wonder if the band was going to play any songs from their upcoming release, Revolutions Per Minute. Alas, they played "Like an Angel," which sounds like an instant classic from Rise Against. They followed up with great social commentary in songs such as "Generation Lost" and "My Life Inside Your Heart," which are both gems that at first listen won't let you get close enough to figure them out, demanding repeated listenings. Part of Rise Againsts mystique is demonstrated by the fact that they can play an hour-long set that will feel like they were up there for only ten minutes, and at the same time, for all of your life. They did a beautiful job of relating their music to a rabid audience that was there to see one of the few remaining TRUE punk bands out there. This is not a band that will be quick to embrace a band such as Alkaline Trio simply based on the fact that both bands are from Chicago. This band's solidarity surpasses all that has become commonplace in most punk music today, and they will be the first ones to explain to a fan how they meant for their lyrics to come across.
Simply put, there was not a dull moment during the show in Boulder that night. Usually you expect a band to live up to the standards of their album at the very least, but in the case of Rise Against, you should anticipate an even better representation live. That is not to say that they do not want you to purchase their new album (which comes out April 08, 2003 on the "fabulous" Fat Wreck Chords label). Songs such as "Blood Red" and "Like the Angel" will make you reconsider that old notion that so many good bands go stale at their sophomore effort. Rise Against will be on the Fat Wreck Chords tour around the time of their album's release, so if you miss them and go see New Found Glory or Dashboard Confessional instead, then never come back to Left Off the Dial, because we've already given you enough chances. One listen to a song like "Six Ways Til Sunday" will make one realize that he/she needs to re-evaluate ideas about the fate of "punk rock" albeit since 1981, it has only been rehashed and mutilated to the point of no recognizance. This is a band that stays true to the aesthetic of what punk was and always has been. GO SEE THEM LIVE.
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