Words From A Waldman: Imran Xhelili of Awake At Last/Artery Global Helps Rank Rise Against’s Discography

Imran Xhelili is a talented guitarist. He plays in a band called Awake At Last. Imran Xhelili is also a hard-working booking agent for Artery Global. He books OWEL and many others… IN ADDITION, he handles all Scott Waldman (ME ME ME)/Lido Beach/speaking engagement musical performance and conference endeavors. I really like him. OH! Imran really really likes the punk rock powerhouse quartet known as Rise Against. I do too.

SO, Swing life away and read our 100% subjective album ranking:

The Unraveling (2001)

IX: Rise Against.

SW: Fucking Rise Against.

IX: That’s right (against).

SW: Oh, shit. Well played. My dad jokes are always alive and well too, Mr. Xhelili.

IX: Good, Mr. Waldman. I don’t want to witness your unraveling. Can I be the sufferer and you be the witness?

SW: On one condition: Only if I could appeal the reason.

7. Wolves (2017)

IX: I wish that wolves tore you apart before you told that dad joke, Scotty.

SW: Wow. Wow. Wow! The violence in you is far from perfect. Far from perfect indeed.

IX: Welcome to the breakdown.

SW: Anyway, new Rise Against is good Rise Against. That’s not bullshit.

IX: It was a miracle.

The Black Market (2014)

SW: We’re only three albums in and I don’t want to be here anymore.

IX: Tragedy & Time.

SW: Time & Tragedy. (pauses) I really like this album.

IX: There’s some bangers on here for sure.

SW: Agreed. SOLID opening track too.

IX: It truly bridges the gap between its predecessors.

SW: I’ve never been more proud of you.

IX: I’ve never been more proud of me. I’m off to discuss the end game.

Endgame (2011)

SW: Wait for me! Wait for me!

IX: Help is on the way, Scott. Help. Is. On. The. Way.

SW: Make it stop! Make it stop!

IX: Ok.

SW: This is letting go! This is letting go!

IX: My head hurts. Let’s make a gentleman’s coop: Stop.

SW: (stops)

IX: Whew. Great. Now I feel survivor’s guilt.

Revolutions per Minute (2003)

SW: From my view in heaven as a non-survivor, it knows.

IX: “Revolutions Per Minute” is an essential part of RA’s discography.

SW: Agreed… To. The. Core.

IX: Punk AF.

SW: You’re punk AF.

IX: I’m in an active rock band. I’m halfway there, bro.

SW: Whoooooa! Living on a prayer!

IX: Wrong band.

SW: Bon Jovi is never the wrong band. Ever. This album is just right.

Siren Song of the Counter Culture (2004)

IX: Dude, give it up on Bon Jovi.

SW: Never! Always!

IX: (cries from the pain of Scott’s dad jokes)

SW: Sorry. (pauses) I’m not gonna front, this album tipped the scales in Rise Against’s favor for me. I loved it in 2004 and I love it now.

IX: Girl, same. I dug it from the first drop.

SW: Girl, same. AND, it was the band’s first major label record. Crazy that a Fat Wreck Chords group was on its way to being a permanent mainstream punk rock staple.

IX: Life would be a lot MORE frightening without Rise Against.

SW: (smiles like a baby)