As debut albums go, Chicago band Rise Against gripped the punk community with a collection of songs which were poetic and highly evocative. It was 2001, when the act released The Unraveling, and they bolstered their appeal, sending messages of discontent through the rough and tumble and the static noise.  

The Unraveling was a raw affair, pointing at the political negligence of America. The promised land was under fire, broken, and crippled by war, and this band craved to tell their story through music. It was also the starting line for Rise Against in terms of their political focus, and their debut showed great courage and maturity.   

Not many bands get it on their debut, some fade into dust, but Rise Against did get it and more. They unfurled the flag of justice, and their music became this blast of energy and meaning, giving many an outlet to gauge their rage.  

Lyrically, the band already had the poetry fixed, and they knew how to break the mold and the glass ceiling in terms of wordplay, and perfection wasn’t on the cards, as the sound was rough, unapologetic, and bursting in intensity.  

Songs such as guitar-driven opener Alive And Well blew open the trail for things to come. It was a prominent song that sent shock-waves through the punk community, piecing together a story of grievances. That punk aura exuded massively too, and it was a perfect start.  

Reception Fades was a startling track. Opening with a provocative monologue, the song was raw and revealing, putting a frame on the art of punk. The band played fearlessly on this cut, proving they could do things frantically without losing the game.  

Everchanging was a story-driven masterclass. The fable burned into memory, and the band showed a different side to their techniques, while breaking boundaries. The song also rallied hope in a world which was in such disarray. 

In terms of popularity, The Unraveling didn’t blow the competitors away, and it didn’t change the punk sequence, but what it did do was open a new chapter for the genre, and Rise Against showed that they had the knack, the promise and the foundations intact.  

2001 was a difficult year for America, and The Unraveling was a collection totally relevant, and properly buried in the minds.    

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