Customer Reviews

Rancid (1993)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is raw stuff. Once legends Operation Ivy broke up back in (I believe) 1989, Tim Armstrong was barely making it. Living on the streets, alcohol all the time, not a good way to be. His good friend Matt Freeman pulled him out of his funk and got him away from alcohol by forming Rancid. They got Brett Reed to play drums and the best band in the history of punk rock was formed. They played all over the Bay, including Gilman(which they had to do some good 'ol toilet cleaning to play at). They finally got a break when they signed with Brett Gurewitz of Epitaph Records, back then a small label. They released this album in 1993. Donnel Cameron, a good producer of early 90s punk, produced this and did a good job. Tim and Matt had been through quite a lot and they played some angry stuff here. Political stuff here, plus some stuff about life. This is fast, and not as melodic as their newer stuff (...And Out Come The Wolves). No ska or harmonies here, just angry music. This is SoCal thrash, sorta like Bad Religion or Black Flag. Tim's voice is the same as it is now, scratchy and a great punk voice. He does some great guitar stuff, good solos and riffs. But the guitar is nothing to Matt's amazing basslines. Some of his best ever in here. He does sing lead a little bit, his voice very nasally(the word everyone describes his voice with). He is a very emotional singer, but I still like Tim and Lars' voices better. Brett hadn't been playing for very long. His drumming is fast and pretty straight-forward. Adina starts with a big "LET'S GO!!!" from Tim and the fast, tough punk rock ensues. Quite catchy, but again, similar to BR. Detriot has amazing bass, a good story in this song. Brett drums quite well in the song Whirlwind, which is a catchy song. Outta My Mind has a poetic style to its lyrics, like their recent album "Life Won't Wait." This one is very melodic and quite simple. The Bottle deals with drinking, and is fast and angry. Unwritten Rules is a song about music bringing a poor neighborhood together. They play a version of Harry Bridges here, which will be on their next album, called "Let's Go." They cover an Uptones song, called Get Outta My Way. The Uptones were an agressive ska band that Tim and Matt loved as members of Operation Ivy. Anyways, Get Outta My Way is defintely the most melodic song on the album, and one of my favorites. If you're already a Rancid fan, this should be interesting to hear where they began, since their sound has changed greatly since 1993. Again, it reminds you of Tim's struggles in the period between Operation Ivy and Rancid. We're lucky he made it. Again, the songs are very agressive and forceful, so if you like that stuff, definitely buy this. If you've never heard any Rancid(and you should have by now) then this probably isn't the greatest album to get first. But get it otherwise.

Before "Ruby Soho", before "Time Bomb", and even before "Salvation", there was a band called Rancid that made raw punk rock with tons of energy and lots of experience (Operation Ivy). It shows extremely well in this album. Fast, angry, and highly motivating, this debut from the past Ivy members (with the addition of Brett Reed), is one of the most passionate punk rock albums ever produced. "Hyena", "Trenches", "Detroit", "Bottle", and "Rats in the Alleyway" are great songs with great sound. This whole album is great from start to end and anyone into Rancid now and aren't familiar with their old sound need to pick this album up. This is the Rancid I became a fan of.

Rancid is and always will be one of the best ska-punk bands ever! They aren't sellouts and have maintained their trademark sound through the years. They matured and play better now, but this, this is were it all began. This is by far one of their best, and is certainly a must buy. I mean from start to finish I was captivated. Think Ramones+The Clash+Operation Ivy=Rancid. Check this out and their later effort "...And Out Come the Wolves."

to me, this is rancid's best work. i don't understand why people say it's "rough around the edges", and crap like that! this is punk people! anyways, every song is fast, and catchy - which to me makes it a classic. this album kicks off with "adina", (one of the best songs on this CD) which is a fast short song, with awesome guitar riffs. and after you hear that song...you definetely will wanna listen to the next - trust me. and the next song "hyena", is another one of the best songs, and an awesome chorus that's all yelling...every song has it's own thing that makes it good. one of the slower songs, has got to be "outta my mind". tim's singing is what makes this song a classic (to me). tim's guitar work, bret's drumming, and matt's bass playing are at their best on this album. so if you're new to rancid, i would HIGHLY recommend this. if not this, "let's go" is another good one.

Although I never really got into this album, it certainly does deserve my upmost respect. I think that Rancid is a better band now that Lars is recording with them, but that's not to say their first effort wasn't any good. I just like them better now. This is a must for any fan of punk rock, and if you like their later stuff, particularly their latest album (Rancid, 2000) then you'll like this one too.

I've listened to rancid since 1994 and they have been my motivation to do everything for six years. Once you get to know this album, you will realize how special this band is. You will never find a better bass player than Matt Freeman. You will never find a more passionate vocalist than TIm Armstrong. They are not like the rest. I've met Tim Armstrong and Lars Frederiksen of Rancid. They are without a doubt two of the most courteous people I have ever met. john from WI

formed in the wake of the break up of operation ivy, rancid's first album displays a total departure from the aforementioned groups ska punk leanings. from minute tim amstrongs vocals kick in this is a fast and furious album and in my opinion far better than any of their later stuff. there are no slow tracks in this album, just really good songs played at a rapid pace. bret reed and matt friedman make for an awesome rhythm secton whilst tim amstrong provides guitar and vocals.....tho quite how anyone could play the guitar at such an amazing rate and sing at the same time defies logic.

rancid is one of the greatest punk rock bands of this generation and redefine themselves with every album. this is the album that started it all, and while not near as accomplished at their following works it does hold its own as a fairly solid debut. as heard in tracks like "hyena" and "rats in the hallway" the trademark rancid hooks and shout along choruses are present, but overall album is somewhat rough around the edges and also notably lacks the presence of lars frederikssen. i am also withholding stars because of the prominence of bassist matt freeman's lead vocals. His lead vocals are damaging to an otherwise solid debut record. as an introduction to rancid though, i would more recommend "Let's Go" or the punk rock masterpiece "...And Out Come The Wolves".

Before Rancid turned into punk-rock poster boys and got "Lars", if that is his real name, in the band and went ska-reggae MTV crazy, they put out a really good album. In fact, in my opinion, they becae a different band and this is that first group's only offering. Plus, they used the same gear as on the Op Ivy record.

Matt's bass playing simply rules. Lint's lyrics are exceptional, as well. Plus, Matt sings, and while his voice isn't sweet, it is raw, emotional, and punk as all hell. Just this like this album. One of my favs...

Rancid is a amazing punk hardcore band. This debut is their best album, in my opinion. It's really raw and fast with no fillers. This Rancid debut must be heard by all the people who enjoy hardcore.