Rise Against & Anti-Flag - Split 7''

The two American mainstream punk-rock bands the most in vogue of the last years decided to collaborate in the greatest secrecy to offer their fans a split vinyl more than collector. The record is said to have only been pressed in 100 copies, sold on the specialized websites (Interpunk, SmartPunk) or distributed on their tour with the excellent Flobots. Each of the two four-pieces chose a b-side of their last album, so unfortunately nothing new for the fans who already own their complete discography.

'Sight unseen', Rise Against's song, unsurprisingly sounds like their last album 'Appeal to reason', more rock than punk, the track only soaring on the choruses. We will nevertheless notice Brandon Barnes's good drums playing and the short instrumental section right after the break that will easily make you nod the head. Lastly, Tim McIlrath's screams at the very end will make you regret the times when they were more numerous.
Anti-Flag's contribution is more interesting by the fact that the song stands out a little more with what the band has recently released. Very short (not even a minute), 'I'm so sick of you' returns on Pittsburgh quartet's older tracks. Way more straightforward than their last album 'The bright lights of America' full of orchestrations, the song avoids any fuss and bets on the energy of Chris#2's vocals. We yet perfectly hear him tickling his bass and the same is true for Justin Sane and Chris Head's in crescendo arpeggios.

Nothing very original in those two b-sides that are all the same listenable if you're an enthusiast listener of the two groups. Lyrically, it's still committed without necessarily suffocating the hearer with revolutionary ideas. In short, a split for collectors only, who already rushed on it as all the copies are from now on exhausted.

3/5

Recommanded if you like:
NOFX, Strike Anywhere, The Unseen
Check also:
Thought Riot, Red Lights Flash, The Sainte Catherines

www.myspace.com/riseagainst
www.myspace.com/antiflag
(Interscope, 2009)