Nowhere Generation

Nowhere Generation
Studio album by
Rise Against
ReleasedJune 4, 2021 (2021-06-04)
StudioThe Blasting Room, Fort Collins, Colorado
Genre
Length41:36
LabelLoma Vista
Producer
Rise Against chronology
The Ghost Note Symphonies, Vol. 1
(2018) 		Nowhere Generation
(2021) 		Nowhere Sessions - EP
(2021)
Rise Against studio album chronology
Wolves
(2017) 		Nowhere Generation
(2021)
Singles from Nowhere Generation
  1. "Broken Dreams, Inc"
    Released: September 16, 2020
  2. "Nowhere Generation"
    Released: March 18, 2021
  3. "The Numbers"
    Released: May 6, 2021
  4. "Talking to Ourselves"
    Released: June 1, 2021

Nowhere Generation is the ninth studio album by American punk rock band Rise Against, released on June 4, 2021, on Loma Vista Recordings. It is the band's first album in four years, serving as the follow-up to 2017's Wolves. Four singles were released for the album: "Broken Dreams, Inc", "Nowhere Generation", "The Numbers", and "Talking to Ourselves". The album was produced by Bill Stevenson, Jason Livermore, Andrew Berlin, and Chris Beeble. The album's single of the same name was released on March 18, 2021, and the album was announced that day.

Background and production

[edit]

After the completion of the touring cycle for 2017's Wolves and the release of their acoustic album The Ghost Note Symphonies, Vol. 1, frontman Tim McIlrath revealed in a May 2019 interview with Kerrang! that the band was writing new music, but that they would be employing a more relaxed approach to the writing process. "Yes, we are writing," McIlrath stated in the interview. "We're getting together and playing ideas, but I wouldn't hold your breath. The one thing that we have decided is that we don't want to feel rushed, we'll put out the record when it's done, not to try and meet some deadline."[5] This was further reinforced in a July 2020 interview with Danny Wimmer Presents with McIlrath confirming (in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic) that the band was "not going anywhere," and further clarifying "we have new music, we have it all – this isn't the end, this is just a new beginning."[6] By the end of the recording sessions for Nowhere Generation, the band had recorded sixteen songs, but five of them were ultimately used for the band's 2022 EP, Nowhere Generation II, so as to not have too many songs on the album.[7]

Following the album's announcement in March 2021, the band outlined the themes and messaging behind the record in a press release, stating that "today there is the promise of the American Dream, and then there is the reality of the American Dream. America's 'historical norm' that the next generation will be better off than the one that came before has been diminished by an era of mass social, economic and political instability and a sell-out of the middle class. The brass ring that was promised by hard work and dedication no longer exists for everyone. When the privileged climb the ladder of success and then burn it from the top, disruption becomes the only answer."[1]

Nowhere Generation saw the band once again working with long-time producers Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore at the Blasting Room, with bassist Joe Principe referring to Stevenson as their "not-so-secret weapon", who had "helped shape the band; he gets what we want to do and will go with us when we think outside the box. He's the perfect producer for the style of music we play because he has an insane pop sensibility and the hardcore side to him as well." In addition to Stevenson and Livermore, the album also saw the band work with fellow Blasting Room producers Andrew Berlin and Chris Beeble.[1]

Release and promotion

[edit]

On February 23, 2021,[8] the band began posting cryptic videos across their social media accounts encouraging their audience to head over to their website, which had been updated with a new aesthetic. They continued to post up until March 18, 2021, when they announced the new album with a June 4 release date, alongside the eponymous lead single and its music video. It was also confirmed that "Broken Dreams, Inc", a track originally released as part of the Dark Nights: Death Metal soundtrack on September 16, 2020, would also feature on the album. Tim McIlrath discussed the band's inclusion on the soundtrack with Wall of Sound comparing his songwriting to that of the comic's storytelling publishers and authors.[9] The album was supported by a further two singles prior to release; "The Numbers" and "Talking to Ourselves", which were released on May 6, 2021,[10] and June 1, 2021,[11] respectively.

The album and its physical releases feature artwork and design created in collaboration with Brian Roettinger, a Grammy-nominated creative director.[12]

Nowhere Generation was released on June 4, 2021.[13] In support of the album, the band embarked on a US tour that summer with the Descendents and The Menzingers opening for them.[14] The band also went on additional tours in 2022 with Billy Talent, The Used, Senses Fail, Pennywise, and Stick To Your Guns.[15][16]

Critical reception

[edit]

Nowhere Generation received generally positive reviews upon release, with Metacritic awarding the album an aggregated score of 74 out of 100 based on 6 reviews, 5 of which were positive.[17]

Wall of Sound scored the album 9/10, stating that the band's "goal of riling people up, and making them realise the inequality of the world in which we live in, has been achieved".[18]

Paul Travers of Kerrang! would rate the record 4/5, praising the band's consistency stating, "There's still a lot that will be familiar to longtime fans, but the most impressive thing is how passionate Rise Against remain. Twenty years in, and their revolutionary fire is still as relevant and as sadly needed as ever."[4]

It was elected by Loudwire as the 42nd best rock/metal album of 2021.[19]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic74/100[20]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[21]
Kerrang![22]
Punktuationmag[23]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Nowhere Generation was the first Rise Against album to not debut in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 since Siren Song of the Counter Culture.[24]

Track listing

[edit]
Nowhere Generation track listing[25][26]
No.TitleLength
1."The Numbers"4:59
2."Sudden Urge"3:46
3."Nowhere Generation"3:52
4."Talking to Ourselves"3:24
5."Broken Dreams, Inc"3:53
6."Forfeit"3:44
7."Monarch"3:32
8."Sounds Like"3:25
9."Sooner or Later"3:34
10."Middle of a Dream"3:44
11."Rules of Play"3:43
Total length:41:36

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from AllMusic.[27]

Rise Against

Production

Additional personnel

  • Christian Gomez – A&R
  • Mary Hogan – A&R
  • Brian Roettinger – creative direction
  • Ryan Whalley – A&R
  • Tom Whalley – A&R

Additional musicians

  • Chad Price - backing vocals
  • Chris Beeble – Fender Rhodes, organ, backing vocals (track 3)
  • Adrienne Ash, Andrew Berlin, Gabriel Brady, Chantel Flowers, Sam Kanter, Alexa Lenort, Jonathan Luginbill, Bill Stevenson, Madeline Stevenson, Miles Stevenson, & Stacie Stevenson – backing vocals (track 3)
  • TJ Wessel – violin (track 6)
  • John Paul Grigsby – upright bass (track 6)

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Nowhere Generation
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[28] 4
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[29] 3
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[30] 36
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[31] 184
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[32] 30
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[33] 2
Scottish Albums (OCC)[34] 10
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[35] 4
UK Albums (OCC)[36] 19
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[37] 2
US Billboard 200[38] 39
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[39] 4
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[40] 2
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[41] 4

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Dowd, Rachael. "Rise Against Tackle the American Dream in Rock Anthem 'Nowhere Generation'". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  2. ^ Young, Nik (June 2, 2021). "Rise Against's Nowhere Generation: agit-punk warriors hit another energy spike". LouderSound. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  3. ^ Sievers, Alex (June 1, 2021). "Rise Against – "Nowhere Generation"". Kill Your Stereo. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Travers, Paul (June 4, 2021). "Album review: Rise Against – Nowhere Generation". Kerrang. Retrieved June 6, 2021. Musically they stick largely to their well-honed melodic hardcore.
  5. ^ "Rise Against Are Writing A New Album – But They Will Be Taking Their Time". Kerrang!. May 29, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  6. ^ "Rise Against's Tim McIlrath: "We Have New Music…"". Kerrang!. July 2, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  7. ^ Hatfield, Amanda (June 10, 2022). "Rise Against surprise release new EP 'Nowhere Generation II' (watch "Last Man Standing" video)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  8. ^ "Rise Against on Instagram.com: riseagainst.com". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  9. ^ Brown, Paul 'Browny' (May 30, 2021). "Wall Of Sound – Virtual Hangs: Tim McIlrath of Rise Against". Wall Of Sound. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  10. ^ Childers, Chad (May 6, 2021). "Rise Against Drop Defiant New Song 'The Numbers'". Loudwire. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  11. ^ Peacock, Tim (June 2021). "Watch The Video For Rise Against's New Song, 'Talking To Ourselves'". udiscovermusic. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  12. ^ Peacock, Tim (March 18, 2021). "Rise Against Announce New Album, 'Nowhere Generation', Share Title Song". UDiscoverMusic. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  13. ^ "Rise Against Announce Summer 2021 'Nowhere Generation' Tour Dates". Loudwire. May 10, 2021.
  14. ^ Childers, Chad (May 10, 2021). "Rise Against Announce Summer 2021 'Nowhere Generation' Tour Dates". Loudwire. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  15. ^ "STICK TO YOUR GUNS Replace Rotting Out on Rise Against and Pennywise tour". lambgoat.com. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  16. ^ Punknews.org (December 9, 2021). "Tours: Rise Against announce 2022 tour dates (US & CAN)". www.punknews.org. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  17. ^ "Nowhere Generation by Rise Against Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  18. ^ "Rise Against – Nowhere Generation (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. May 31, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  19. ^ "The 45 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2021". Loudwire. Townsquare Media. December 10, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  20. ^ "Reviews for Nowhere Generation by Rise Against". Metacritic. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  21. ^ Monger, James Christopher (June 4, 2021). "Nowhere Generation - Rise Against". AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  22. ^ Travers, Paul (June 4, 2021). "Rise Against Nowhere Generation". Kerrang. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  23. ^ Moyle, Tracey (June 4, 2021). "Rise Against Nowhere Generation". Punktuationmag. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  24. ^ "Rise Against's 'Nowhere Generation' Is Band's First Airplay No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  25. ^ "Nowhere Generation". Rise Against. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  26. ^ "Rise Against - Nowhere Generation (Limited Edition Picture Disc)". Loma Vista Recordings. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  27. ^ "Nowhere Generation - Rise Against". Allmusic. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  28. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Rise Against – Nowhere Generation". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  29. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Rise Against – Nowhere Generation" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  30. ^ "Ultratop.be – Rise Against – Nowhere Generation" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  31. ^ "Ultratop.be – Rise Against – Nowhere Generation" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  32. ^ "Rise Against Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  33. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Rise Against – Nowhere Generation" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  34. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  35. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Rise Against – Nowhere Generation". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  36. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  37. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  38. ^ "Rise Against Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  39. ^ "Rise Against Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  40. ^ "Rise Against Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  41. ^ "Rise Against Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
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