Rise Against's The Unraveling seems to be a bit of a change for Fat Wreck. Oh, it's still punk (surprisingly, it was recorded by Mass Giorgini), it's just a lot more aggressive and not nearly as cheesy as many of the label's acts. This album is not poppy, and there's no juvenile humor; Rise Against are a pretty tough band and The Unraveling shows that aspect. The vocals have a good deal of melody and range, yet can break into screaming at any moment, as many of the tracks show. Songs like "Everchanging" show the possibilities that the Chicago quartet is capable of. The lyrics are mature and thoughtful, dealing with friendships and relationships, religion and memories. Similar comparisons could be made to Whippersnapper and Grey Area, yet there are certain ways The Unraveling stands out on its own, primarily in its use of melody in the vocals. While Whippersnapper's vocals are more metal and Grey Area's punk, Rise Against is melodic hardcore. Showing that they're not too far from their roots in 88 Fingers Louie, the punk energy is pure and unadulterated here. If there was ever an album to help bring back the finger pointing and circle pits, The Unraveling might be a good bet. [Fat Wreck's 2005 reissue of The Unraveling was remastered, and featured two extra tracks.] ~ Kurt Morris