Rise Against has been my favorite band for about eight years now. It goes without say that I love their music, the culture, and ideals the band puts forth. They’ve influenced my life and countless others in a way no other could. With a focus on rebellious, well-written lyrics and a melodic aggressive sound, they stand apart from other artists in a unique way. At the same time, each album has a different feel, and no two songs are the same, thus it is difficult to direct different people on where to start listening to the band. The general consensus it to listen to their fourth album, The Sufferer and the Witness, where the band really took off and gained more popularity. While it is a superb album and most people will love it, I prefer to give newcomers a selection of songs that encompasses the ands history and different sounds. So without further ado, let’s look into the songs I always recommend:

1. Behind Closed Doors- The Sufferer and the Witness

Ironically, although I encourage exploring different sounds outside this album, this song from that album is almost always my first recommendation if I don’t know the kind of music a person is into, or if they are coming in from a different genre of music entirely. Behind Closed Doors is an underrated song that is rarely talked about, but really captures what Rise Against is about at the forefront. Its lyrics are meaningful, without it being too cryptic to understand, and the sound is neither too aggressive or soft. The rhythm is pretty catchy and easy to shake your head to. It’s a sweet entry point for anyone, and I think it provides a broad appeal which is necessary in the introductory phase.

2. Savior- Appeal to Reason

This is easily one of the bands top 3 mainstream songs. Most people who have heard the band probably listened to this song before, which is one reason I don’t usually recommend it immediately. While the song is strong and I enjoy it, is also has a somewhat mainstream feel that is a little too underwhelming for me personally at times. Nevertheless, people enjoy it, and like Behind Closed Doors it is nothing too overwhelming or underwhelming. What’s better is when you or your friend learns what the song is actually about; that will really teach you what this band is about. [SPOILER: The song is not about a girl; the “her” in the song is our planet].

3. The Eco-Terrorist in Me- The Black Market

Now this… this song is freaking amazing. The band at its core is an aggressive punk band, at least that was the tone they set in their first few albums. That began to die down a bit and become more melodic around the time of the Sufferer and the Witness. With their most recent album, The Black Market, the band took a trip back to their roots and delivered some powerful songs with the gritty, passionate vocals that fans adore. That is why this song is a perfect entry point into that aggressive portion of the band’s discography. It start’s aggressively but tones down to a more melodic sounds, switching between the two as the song progresses. Not only that but the message of the lyrics are incredibly blunt. If you or anyone else didn’t understand that morals and values that the band holds, you certainly will now.

4. Everchanging- The Unraveling

Didn’t like the aggressive sounds? Loved the grit of Tim’s voice? This song provides and interesting balance between the two. It has an incredibly classic feel to it, and the acoustic version is just as great, if not better. What differentiates it from the competition is how down to earth it is; the emotion, simplicity and power behind Tim’s voice resonates with people because it sounds so human rather than light or angelic like most vocals in these types of songs. Also keep an eye on the lyrics; most people who listen to the original version likely won’t appreciate it without them.

5. Swing Life Away- The Siren Song of the Counter Culture

I’ll be honest, Rise Against does not have many happy songs, but this is one of those rare exceptions. While the band’s outcry on so many social issues is what makes them Rise Against, listening to this softer side is a relaxing break. I have not met one person who has disliked this song, and it is easily one of their most popular because it attracts lots of mainstream listeners who just listen to music to be happy. The only reason I would not introduce people with this song is because it gives the wrong insight into what Rise Against is about; after listening to this song, don’t expect to find many others like it. It’s a phenomenal song that shows the band’s diversity, but it is not a song that would describe what Rise Against is.

6. Make it Stop (September's Children)- Endgame

This song did something incredible. It was written at the height of the movement to support gay rights such as marriage nation-wide. I attended one of the band’s concerts that happened not too long after the official legislation to allow that right for all Americans was passed. In celebration, the band played this song to cherish the beautiful end to a long struggle for the LGBTQ community, one of the few and rare victories for humanitarians across the country. This is a haunting song that spoke openly about the hate and struggles of the LGBTQ community, mourning over the suicides of many of those members who gave up on life from all the hate they were subjected to. The music is gripping and has an excellent flow that embodies the band’s style well. A must-listen for sure.

7. Black Masks and Gasoline- Revolution Per Minute

Revolutions Per Minute, or RPM as the fans refer to it as, is easily the most underrated album among casual listeners but often regarded as the strongest among long-time fans. That record had a lot of great pieces, but Black Masks and Gasoline is arguably one of the most grounded punk songs in the band’s history. It is more melodic than most would expect it to be, but the lyrics are peculiar, deep and meaningful while the sound overall is rhythmic and engaging. It’s a song you’ll love to rock you’re head to and find yourself singing along too far too often.

8. State of the Union- Siren Song of the Counter Culture

This song is not for everyone. Let’s be clear, it is easily Rise Against’s most aggressive in their entire discography. It is loud and the vocals never let up. For many listener’s this will be a turn off from the band unless they come from a metal or core punk background; I didn’t even enjoy it for years since I was more into their lighter tunes. Give it time. This song is worth it and is the perfect opening song to this incredible record. It allows you to fully appreciate intensity of Tim’s voice and the rage that they are trying to channel. Once I grew into it, I only wished the band would revisit this style more than they currently do.

9. People Live Here- The Black Market

I had the most difficult time choosing between this and Hero of War from the record Appeal to Reason. I encourage everyone to listen to both of course, but I chose this simply because the lyrics resonated more with me personally. They are both such emotional songs that challenge human ideals and the morality of the powerful. People Live Here is a little less heart-wrenching in my opinion so I would introduce listeners with this song before I would with Hero of War.

10. Rumors of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated- The Siren Song of the Counter Culture

In my opinion, this may be the greatest song the band has ever written. I tried to stop myself from recommending too much from this record which is clearly my favorite, but this song is a mandatory recommendation. The flow, lyrics, and vocals is beautifully done and does an excellent job in transitioning between melodic and aggressive without anything being overwhelming. This song is Rise Against, and it would be a crime to not have it listed here.

Rise Against has a lot of incredible music and I avoided trying to list some of my personal favorites such as Zero Visibility, The Black Market, Tip the Scales, Chamber the Cartridge, and Survive. Not that these songs are any worse, some I haven’t listed I think are better than what I did list, but I believe the ones that were listed are an excellent guide to the different sounds of the band without anything being too overwhelming or repetitive. If you are a Rise Against fan already, feel free to revamp this list, and if you’re new try to give these a shot before anything else. Hopefully it’ll help that mental click happen and make you as passionate about this music I have come to be.