Rise or Die Trying
Four Year Strong · 2007
40 min · 13 tracks · punk rock
Bursting with high-energy riffs and anthemic choruses, the album captures the essence of mid-2000s pop-punk.
Top tracks — play these first
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Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die — This track encapsulates the band's ethos of perseverance and passion, blending heartfelt lyrics with a powerful sing-along chorus that became a fan favorite.
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Wrecked 'Em? Damn Near Killed 'Em — Combining humor with energetic instrumentation, this song stands out for its clever wordplay and infectious energy, making it a staple during live performances.
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Abandon Ship or Abandon All Hope — With its driving rhythm and introspective lyrics, this track showcases the band's knack for balancing heavy sounds with emotional depth, marking a highlight of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album captures mid-2000s pop-punk energy with engaging choruses but lacks some cohesion in its flow.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a high-energy tone, maintaining a consistent tempo across the first half.
- Choruses are often anthemic and feature gang vocals, creating a sense of camaraderie and engagement.
- Several tracks incorporate breakdowns typical of hardcore punk, adding dynamic shifts within the songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady energetic flow throughout
- for group sing-alongs
- short bursts of excitement
- great for high-energy workouts
- repetitive hooks that energize
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, introspective tracks
- need longer, immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2007, 'Rise or Die Trying' was Four Year Strong's debut full-length album, following their earlier EPs. At this point, the band was transitioning from local success to national recognition, solidifying their place in the pop-punk scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- A Day to Remember· The Wonder Years· New Found Glory
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Take Over 1:34
- 2 Prepare to Be Digitally Manipulated 3:07
- 3 Abandon Ship or Abandon All Hope 3:33
- 4 Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die 3:36
- 5 Wrecked 'Em? Damn Near Killed 'Em 3:12
- 6 Catastrophe 2:37
- 7 Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Hell 3:06
- 8 Bada Bing! Wit a Pipe! 3:21
- 9 Beatdown in the Key of Happy 3:03
- 10 If He's Here, Who's Runnin' Hell? 3:18
- 11 Maniac (R.O.D.) 3:06
- 12 Beep Beep 4:05
- 13 Gotta Get Out 3:02
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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