Customer Reviews

Rancid

5 star:		(98)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

A heart-pounding, pulse-pumping, adrenaline-rushing joy ride. Rancid returns from its round the world tour of Life Won't Wait to its four-piece roots, but unlike its breakout album, ....And Out Come the Wolves, there is no ska and reggae influence here...just hardcore punk, loud and fast. Even so, Rancid's lyrics retain the same edge, touching on castrosim, African genocide, commercialism, Nato bombing, and even a chance encounter with a boyhood retarded friend. Singers Tim Armstrong and Lars Frederiksen scream/sing with as much as passion as ever, Bret Reed displays incredible stamina on drums, and Matt Freeman's bass work will surely add to his reputation as one of the top bassmen in the industry today. (Hear "Axiom" and "Young Al Capone.") But a word of warning: Anyone expecting to hear a reprise of the styles exhibited in the previous critically-acclaimed albums will be disappointed. It may take, as it did for me, several listens to get yourself into the relentless uptempo pace. But in the end, Rancid 2000 is an exhilirating experience, adding another diverse work to Rancid's legacy of high-energy, high-rebellion rock and roll.

this album has been heralded as a return the rancid's roots but in actual fact it is far from this. rancid's roots lie firmly with ska in the form of operation ivy a very long time ago. this album is anything but ska. the style ranges from straight hardcore to psychobilly but it all blends together well to form an excellent album.

the first couple of tracks are finished within a couple of minutes. straight up shouty oiks about making enemies and being angry. the way punk should be ;-). the next couple of songs are slightly slower with let me go including some dub influences mixed with supersonic ska. other good tracks on the album include 'dead bodies' and 'axion'. these all feature excellent bass runs from the genius himself - matt freeman.

rancid's main asset is their excellent musicianship. matt's basslines are often unobtrusive but when they are intended to be heard, they are stunning. he does a bass solo in axion which simply defies belief. brett on drums is a similar talent. he hides in the background until he is needed.

lars and tim are both excellent guitarists and vocalists. one slight downer for me is that matt freeman has a [bad] voice. he can sing properly without growling but he chooses not to. fortunately he only takes lead vocals in a couple of songs. lars and tim tend to trade off vocals on the other tracks, just shouting away at each other.

overall i would say that this album is excellent the first few times you listen to it. it doesn't have the longevity of some of their earlier albums but it is a much more confrontational form of music so this is only to be expected. sheer genius.

ok, first to the complete and utter moron who somehow got the idea that rancid are a white pride band?!? id say read the lyrics(from antennas:"youre sellin sexisim/youre sellin racisim...) and check out the interviews with the guys and also, think that they would go to jamacia and record with black guys if they were rascist?yeah alot of rascists play raggae and ska.idiot.anyway,on to part 2.it really annoys me when people compare rancid to the clash.ive heard this a 1000 times,from just about everyone who reviews the band or listens to them.you know what that tells me?that these morons just hear some other moron say it and than they go "uh,yeah.rancid sound just like the clash.ok".jeez, i guess there is no need to think for yourselves.this got started by a bunch of idiots who needed to compare the band to someone for some review when the band started to gain some attention during the mini punk revival in the mid 90's,so they looked at the band,saw that they had mohawks and wore leather jackets,and used that as a catch phrase.yes both the clash and rancid play raggae and ska from time to time,but do you jerks even listen to them?rancid has done very little of either except for a few songs on "...and out come the wolves" and "life wont wait".when these idiots were comparing rancid to the clash they had released 2 albums and not one single song was even remotley ska or raggae!so after 5 albums, and around 130 songs,about 15 are of those ska or raggae variety.i also laugh when people say that they sold out.funny.they make about as much money as some guy who works at wal-mart for min.wage.get your heads out of your rear ends.these guys are for real.they can do any style of music they want.straight up punk,poppy punk(not a sell out you idiots),hardcore,dub,ska,raggae, you name it.they arent on a major label,they dont make hardly any money,outside of the underground barely anyone has heard of them or buys their records.these guys come from the streets,and have more integrity than you jerks will ever know.hey, if you think that they "sold out",why dont you make a record and play.you all hate blink 182 but you all listen to music that sounds exactly the same!!grow up.

There have been all to few great rock records in the last decade, and most of what passes for "alternative" is MTV/FM radio hype. I'm an old punk, (almost 40) so I have listened to a number of records in my life. I remember seeing Black Flag BEFORE Rollins was in the band. I remember seeing Minor Threat, X, DKs, Flipper, Black Market Baby, JFA, Minutemen, and so many others. In my book, THAT was the Underground. By the 1990s, I found myself among the aging punks at Sonic Youth and Pavement shows. "Where were the kids?" I wondered. Other than Nirvana, I saw little of what I liked being embraced by the youth culture. Then Kurt died. In the "Grunge aftermath" of the last few years, I started seeing people like Third Eye Blind, Moby, and Sugar Ray being called "Alternative". To me, it sounded Pop. I came to the conclusion that there was little left as far as "new music" for me to enjoy. Sure, there were groups I liked like Elastica, Green Day and Mighty Mighty Bostones getting some radio play, but I seldom saw anything new that would inspire me. HOWEVER: There have been two exceptions to this. The Reverend Horton Heat and Rancid. Both are fantastic live and both have put out some great records. And that brings me to the current Rancid CD. From the start, I have listened to this band with open ears and an open mind. I don't expect that they are going to put out a record to fit my "taste-of-the-day". I give them the benefit of the doubt. Some so-called "fans" do not. I heard people say "Wolves" was too pop..."Life" was too reggae... and now "Rancid" to punk. I am SICK of people thrusting their expectations onto the creative output of others. Every CD this band has recorded is unique and high quality! Too few people record what they believe and what they feel! This band is to be praised for evolving and challenging their audience and not just recording endless versions of "Let's Go". You don't have to like it, but don't say that the band has "sold out" or "lost it". Tim, Lars, Matt and Brett have once again put their creative energy into an album of important music that tests the bounds of public taste. That is what the Punk Revolution was all about! And as far as great songs...take another listen to Radio Havana, Black Derby Jacket, It's Quite Alright, and Dead Bodies. These are great Rancid songs! Sure, I will admit that there are some aspects of this album I like better than others. I would have done things differently if it were my band....but the last time I checked in with reality, I was not a member of Rancid, so my judgment in that matter is mute. I wish there were more bands willing to take these kinds of chances. I say "Thanks" to these guys for another enjoyable album that gives me hope in the future of the Underground!

Its obvious Rancid have always thrown some hardcore into the mix,The Difference with this however is its not just thrown into the mix,it IS Plain straight forward hardcore punk.Gone are the Ska and reggae sounds and the Sing along choruses and taking their place is F*%# You lyrics and Incredible instrumental work (Namely Freemans Mach 5 speed Bass solos)which would make even Claypools jaw drop.Anyone who instantly thought Oh yay another Clash worship album is sadly mistaken.This has more in common with the fury of the pistols (only with talent).The album is just in your face hardcore punk from Track 1 to track 22 touching on everything from The media to war to backstabbers and Scenesters.If what you are looking for is Melodic commercially borderline punk rock DONT BUY THIS.But if on the other hand you want Furious In your face punk,You cant look past this one.In my view rancids best work to date.

To say that Rancid's second self titled album hits you like a freight train once you press start is an understatement. Following the sprawling, epic "Life Won't Wait", Rancid cut out the fat and give you thirty eight minutes of circle pit anthems.
So, what's the problem with "Rancid"? Well, to be honest, it feels like two step back for the band. I was one of the few people who loved "Life Won't Wait", so hearing this record for the first time was a slight dissapointment. There are really no surpirses to be found on this record. Rancid are merely retreading ground that perfected on their first two records(1993's "Rancid" and 1994's "Let's Go!")
But over the past four years or so, I have learned to like this record on its many charms. With a million crappy pop-punk bands substituting Pro-Tools and songs about girls for attitude and songs, "Rancid" is Rancid's angriest, hardest record ever. But to the end, its also one of their most melodic and entertaining.

"Don Giovanni" and "Disgruntled" get the record off to a great start, getting the blood flowing with their one-two punch. More melodic, Rancid-esque songs quickly follow with the great "It's Quite Alright" and "Let Me In". Through the next eighteen songs, "Rancid" sounds like the band always have: fast, furious and melodic, with honest, smart lyrics(when they can understood). All Rancid have done here really is trim away the ska-punk sound of "...and out come the wolves" and the everything-and-the-kitchen-sink sounds of "Life Won't Wait" and trimmed down the fat for twenty two quick, perfect Rancid songs.
Though if your new to the band, this wouldn't be the first Rancid disc I would pick up(that would be "Let's Go!"), "Rancid" is still a great rock record that is more rewarding everytime you listen to it.

When I saw several used copies of this record at my local record store, I assumed that the veteran Rancid fans who had bought them didn't think too much of it, so neither did I...as the months went by, the used copies disappeared and freshly returned copies failed to replace them...apparently, people were catching on to something. I started to hear all kinds of great things about this album...hell, even this site gave it a good editorial review. I decided to get it as soon as I could. I was blown away after the first listen, and hooked after the second. I must have listened to this album five or six times through on one road trip shortly after I bought it. It is absolutely AMAZING! Every track is a fiery punk rock inferno blazing out of control! The guitars are explosive and relentless, and the bass is (as always), incredible. You don't really listen to this CD, you're attacked by it, it rushes you and attempts to maul you to death. Songs like the opener "Don Giovanni", "Disgruntled", "I Am Forever", "Loki", "Rattlesnake" and "Dead Bodies" will relentlesly pummel you into the ground without mercy. "Rwanda" and "Antennaes" are remarkably well written and delivered. "Radio Havanna" is an instant classic. The bass solo in "Axiom" is eirily remeniscant of '97's "Maxwell Murder"...and the rest of the album is just as awesome. My favorites on this album are probably "Disgruntled", "Let Me Go", "Antenaes", "Radio Havanna" and "Dead Bodies", but believe me, all thirty nine minutes and each one of the twenty two songs is a thrill. I'm not that hardcore of a punk, but listening to this album makes me want to grow a foot tall mohawk, put on a leather jacket, strap some combat boots on my feet and spray paint anarchy symbols on the walls of buildings after I smash the windows and loot everything inside. Go steal this album as soon as possible, and hold on to your butt.

THIS IS WHAT PUNK ROCK IS!!!! LOUD ANGRY POLITICAL CONSCIOUS-AWARE GGGRRRRRRR!!!

I've never been a big fan of ska punk and experimental punk sounds. All told, that means I have never been a big fan of Rancid's work. While they are good musicians, I just never cared for Wolves and Life Won't Wait. This album though has truly blown me away. It's the best punk album in years, all attitude and great catchy songs. If you've never liked Rancid pick this one up. If you love Rancid then this is a wicked and great change by one of your favorite bands. It ain't the same old Rancid, but it has enough attitude and enough hooks for a lake full of fish. One of the year's best.

It's easy to see where die-hard rancid fans and semi rancid fans split at the seams, and it all happened when this album arrived. Even though I'm not the BIGGEST fan of hardcore punk, the rather brutal (and definitely NON-MTV-ish quality) Rancid 2000 has key tracks that satisfy even if you don't exceed in taste for this genre. Also, I don't see a lot of people mentioning the song Golden Gate Fields too much and it's making me question why. It's probably the most meaningful song on the cd, one of the catchiest, and the way tim's vocals grind through your ears is definitely unbeatable.


Key Tracks: Let Me Go, Young Al Capone, GGF, Black Derby Jacket, Radio Havana