A year after the release of their eighth album, Chicago punk quartet
Rise Against
headed down a fresh path for their compilation of reimagined tunes,
The Ghost Note Symphonies, Vol. 1
. Transforming ten previously released selections from five past albums -- ranging from 2001 debut
The Unraveling
to
Appeal to Reason
and
Wolves
from the 2010s --
transfer the energy of their typical forceful attacks, finding power in restraint and intimacy. Here, vocalist
Tim McIlrath
's raspy vocals and impassioned lyrics are brought to the fore, while emotions swell with the wave of orchestral accompaniment provided by guest musicians
Jeb Bows
Adrienne Short
(violins),
Phil Norman
(cello),
John Grigsby
(upright bass), and
Andrew Berlin
Chris Beeble
(arrangement and piano). Less driving than the original, "House on Fire" becomes pastoral and pleasant, while "Miracle" morphs from a call to arms into a yearning plea. The self-acceptance anthem "Far from Perfect" experiences a similar rebirth, becoming an emotional self-help hymn. The most stripped-down interpretations are provided by "Faint Resemblance," a simple acoustic reworking, and "Voices Off Camera," simplified to just vocals and piano. Meanwhile, the biggest transformation is "Like the Angel," an early-era punk blast from 2003's
Revolutions Per Minute
that matures with deep bass, contemplative acoustic guitar, and aching strings. While certainly not typical of the
catalog,
is a refreshing take on the band's powerful history, stirring the heart with simplicity and soul rather than outright punk aggression. ~ Neil Z. Yeung