The band spent its first four years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which they released two studio albums, The Unraveling (2001) and Revolutions per Minute (2003). Both the albums were met with underground success, and in 2003 the band signed with the major label Dreamworks, which was absorbed by Geffen. Rise Against's major label debut Siren Song of the Counter Culture (2004) brought the band mainstream success, largely in part to the popularity of the singles "Give It All" and "Swing Life Away". The band's next album, The Sufferer & the Witness (2006), peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200 in the United States, and was Rise Against's first album to chart in countries outside of North America.
With the release of Appeal to Reason (2008), Rise Against's music shifted toward a more accessible and radio-friendly sound, with greater emphasis on production value. The album's third single, "Savior", broke the record for the most consecutive weeks spent on both the Hot Rock Songs and Alternative Songs charts. Rise Against's popularity grew with the release of Endgame (2011), which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200, and charted highly worldwide. The band's seventh and eighth albums, The Black Market (2014) and Wolves (2017) continued the trend of commercial success, and both peaked with the top ten on the Billboard 200. Their ninth and most recent album, Nowhere Generation, was released in 2021.
Rise Against is also known for their advocacy of progressivism, supporting organizations such as Amnesty International and the It Gets Better Project. The band actively promotes animal rights and most of the members are straight edge, PETA supporters and vegetarians.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_Against
Studio albums
The Unraveling (2001)
Revolutions per Minute (2003)
Siren Song of the Counter Culture (2004)
The Sufferer & the Witness (2006)
Appeal to Reason (2008)
Endgame (2011)
The Black Market (2014)
Wolves (2017)
Nowhere Generation (2021)
Reception Fades
Rise Against Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I can't hear what you're saying
A time when life was not this hard
Blessed by the innocence
Is the best yet to come?
Or did it pass by long ago?
Are we holding on to a thread
I'm not your reason to stand up straight
Shoulders back chest out and eyes raised
Stepping back, I hesitate
I can't let myself be taken
The reception fades, the signals breaking up
And am I moving on or am I giving up?
If you walk away from this with anything
Live your life today
Rise Against's song "Reception Fades" is a reflective piece which examines the concept of hope, and whether it is still possible to find hope in a world that seems filled with broken promises and failed expectations. The opening lines of the song address the concept of nostalgia, a time when life was simple, and people could be idealistic and optimistic about the future. However, the singer's inability to hear what the person is saying is symbolic of the disillusionment that they feel, and the sense that the idealism of the past has been replaced by harsher realities.
The following lines explore the idea that the best is already behind us, and we are clinging to a thread of something that is already dead. The singer is questioning whether hope is still possible or if it has vanished altogether. The personal struggle that the singer is experiencing is a reflection of the wider society's disillusionment with the powers that be, and the idea that the promises of politicians and leaders have failed to materialize.
The song's chorus highlights the feelings of uncertainty and confusion that the singer is experiencing, with the reception fading and the signals breaking up, creating a sense of instability and insecurity. The lines "If you walk away from this with anything/live your life today" offer a sense of positivity and hope that despite the disillusionment, we can still find ways to live in the present fully.
Line by Line Meaning
You talk about the way things were
You reminisce about the past
But I can't hear what you're saying
I am unable to comprehend your words
A time when life was not this hard
A period when life was easier and simpler
Blessed by the innocence
Endowed with the purity of youth
Is the best yet to come?
Will the future be better than the present?
Or did it pass by long ago?
Did the ideal future already slip away?
Are we holding on to a thread
Are we grasping at a fragile hope
Of something already dead?
For something that has already perished?
I'm not your reason to stand up straight
I am not your inspiration to carry on
Shoulders back chest out and eyes raised
To display a confident and proud demeanor
Stepping back, I hesitate
I reconsider my actions before proceeding
I can't let myself be taken
I refuse to be coerced or influenced
The reception fades, the signals breaking up
Communication is deteriorating
And am I moving on or am I giving up?
Am I progressing or surrendering?
If you walk away from this with anything
If you learn one thing from this experience
Live your life today
Live in the present moment
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRANDON BARNES, DAN WLEKLINSKI, JOSEPH PRINCIPE, TIMOTHY MCILRATH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Set491
7 people disliked this song. Come on, let's go break their arms.
Chad Kirby
and throw bottles at their house
Alberto Roa
i love everyone of their albums especially this one. You could hear their soul behind every single note.
Mocityspirit
You're crazy if one of their first 3 albums isn't your favorite.
RiseAgainstRIOT
It's unbeliveable how each and every single of their songs have such powerful lyrics man, the best band ever!
Heather Stock
I love the guitar riff.....It's like....Indescribably awesome.
Erick Marcelloni
the old ones are the best... this song is amazing
Soulrunners1Freerun
all Rise Against albums are good, the first 4 were the best but in my opinion, i think they are all "Rise Against"
waveofz
This is the real Rise Against!!
303random
in my opinion this is the best record of rise against...sounds 100% 88 finger loiue!