Albums that make Amazon.com's yearly "best of" list are sometimes judged using high-falutin' artsy talk. Rancid has landed on the list because it compelled editors to scribble anarchy symbols in public hallways, buy ska... more »teboards, and start punk bands. Twenty-two songs, 39 minutes, and not one wasted second. A pure punk joyride with the throttle wide open. --S. Duda« less
Albums that make Amazon.com's yearly "best of" list are sometimes judged using high-falutin' artsy talk. Rancid has landed on the list because it compelled editors to scribble anarchy symbols in public hallways, buy skateboards, and start punk bands. Twenty-two songs, 39 minutes, and not one wasted second. A pure punk joyride with the throttle wide open. --S. Duda
Maritza D. from GARDENA, CA Reviewed on 11/8/2012...
I love this band and absolutely love this album.
CD Reviews
Rancid Returns to its Four-Piece Roots
Hndbllkng | St. Louis, MO USA | 08/01/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
A new style for the band
Angela M. Healey | Hull | 08/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Another no-album related essey.
matt bobby | 04/19/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Taking a chance on Hardcore!
David Wellbeloved | Washington, DC United States | 12/13/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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!"
Where did that come from.
TreyC | Australia | 05/18/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1
Maritza D. from GARDENA, CA 
