Rancid

Editor's Review:

Every couple of years Rancid releases a new album, and I am always prepared to be disappointed. But so far it hasn’t happened. This album opens up a lot heavier than their last offering with "Don Giovanni," an undeniably New York Hard Core influenced track. Gone are the Ska elements that have been so prevalent on previous records, but the sound hasn’t really changed; it’s the same gritty dirty P Rock we’ve come to expect from Lint and company. The biggest surprise on the album is bassist Matt Freeman taking over vocal responsibilities on a few verses of "Corruption."

Lyrically this album is a departure from 98’s "Life Won’t Wait" and it’s hopeful point of view. This album finds the boys angry and jaded, looking back on their decade plus in the Punk scene, from Gilman to MTV, and then landing uncomfortably in the middle with lyrics like "Antennas’" "…let California fall into the fuckin ocean." There is a definite sense that disillusion has faded into disappointment.

Musically this album forges no new ground, but stands steadfast on the old. The guitars have the same old Gibson and Marshall sound (you just don’t fuck with a good thing), and the bass is tight and bright like it’s always been. Nevertheless, you can tell these guys take their musicianship a little more seriously than when they were young.

On the Hustler scale I would give this one a three quarters erect. It’s a good album a lot of the youngsters might not get, but they have no idea of the history behind this shit, so fuck em.

Bookmark:

Record Label Hellcat Records Released January 1980

Tracks 1. Don Giovanni 2. Disgruntled 3. It's Quite Alright 4. Let Me Go 5. I Am Forever 6. Poison 7. Loki 8. Blackhawk Down 9. Rwanda 10. Corruption 11. Antenna's 12. Rattle Snake 13. City Of Sin 14. Radio Havana 15. Axiom 16. Black Derby Jacket 17. Meteor Of War 18. Dead Bodies 19. Rigged On A Fix 20. Young Al Capone 21. Reconciliation 22. Golden Gate Fields