Make It Stop (September's Children) cover

Make It Stop (September's Children)

Rise Against · 2011

13 min · 4 tracks · melodic hardcore

A raw blend of melodic hardcore and punk, driven by urgent rhythms and poignant lyrics addressing societal issues.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Make It Stop (September's Children) — The title track stands out for its emotional weight, tackling the harsh realities of bullying and its consequences, resonating deeply with listeners facing similar struggles.
  • →
    Death Blossoms — This song combines aggressive instrumentation with reflective lyrics, showcasing the band's ability to blend personal narratives with broader societal critiques effectively.
  • →
    The Good Left Undone (live) — The live version captures the band's raw energy and connection with their audience, emphasizing the communal experience of their music and its themes of loss and hope.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100
Lowland
Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single presents strong tracks but lacks cohesion and depth for lasting engagement.

What we noticed

  • The title track features a dynamic structure, alternating between aggressive verses and melodic choruses that emphasize the lyrical themes.
  • The second track, 'Death Blossoms', employs a more straightforward punk rhythm with a consistent tempo throughout.
  • The live version of 'The Good Left Undone' showcases a different energy compared to the studio recording, highlighting the band's performance intensity.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — This single marked a significant moment in Rise Against's popularity and cultural relevance.
Career context
Released in 2011, Make It Stop (September's Children) is the first single from Rise Against's album Endgame. This period marked a peak in the band's popularity following their previous success with Appeal to Reason in 2008. The album showcases their continued evolution as they address complex social themes with increasing intensity.
Stylistic neighbors
Strike Anywhere· Against Me!· Pennywise

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Make It Stop (September's Children)

    The chorus shifts between moments of despair and empowering calls for change, creating a juxtaposition that highlights the urgency of the message.

    The contrasting emotions in this section amplify the sense of struggle against bullying while inspiring action, making it a pivotal moment in the song.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Make It Stop (September's Children) 3:55
  • 2 Death Blossoms 2:36
  • 3 The Good Left Undone (live) 3:02
  • 4 Make It Stop (September's Children) (Music video) 4:13

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata