In the beginning.........
All there was, were two friends who stood by each other until one day something truly meaningful happened.Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, or should I say little Timmy and little Matt were still young when they were hanging around at Tim's house one day. Tim had gotten a hold of a tape from his father that said PunkRock on it in big bright lettering. Thinking, "what the hell, theres nothing better to do", they layed back and started listening to the tape. It was the Clash. The Magnificent Seven. When the tape finished, there was a long moment of sweet silence.
Lint and
Matt McCall were born.
Tim and Matt both grew to become incredibly dedicated to the genre, as well as their love to start something. To get out there and be part of the genre itself.
Matt had picked up the bass guitar before and had pondered a little. And he got down to be one fine bassist. They scored success after forming the ska-revolution ,
Operation Ivy. But after a few years and a couple albums, Op Ivy disbanded. It was supposed to be the end of their 'journey'. But who knows what got them back up from that floor, but get up the did indeed. Problem was, all they were back to was just themselves. They needed a drummer. Reed was the name of a kid they had known for a little while. And the kid wasnt anything big on his old rusty set of his, having only played for about a year. But winging it, the three musicians took the chance of going out there and doing their own thing. They messed around with some lines and vocals that grew to become some good material. Not only good material, but work that would recreate their image into the face of the great genre we call 'PUNK' for some time to come.
"Feast your ears"
Rancid- Rancid
Lineup
Tim Armstrong- Guitars, Vocals
Matt Freeman- Bass, Vocals
Brett Reed- Drums
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This review will include the album getting divided into three portions. The beginning, middle and end of the record (theoretical order). Since there are 16 tracks, this format will suit and easier view for the reviewer and hopefully, the rest of the Sputnik users.
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Portion 1
The album kicks off with one of the best on the album,
Adina. A sudden scream by Tim, and it sets it off. Matt is leading on vocals here, showing off his 'special' vocal skill. This is one of the album's tracks that just screams chaos. Highly reccomended. Continues with one of the best lines youll ever hear from this side of Freeman.
Hyena is fully driven by the bass and the simple but great vocals provided by the boys. The lyrics have to be a great highlight too. "Hyena, fighting for the lion's share...Sometimes, the lion's share aint there." Follows with with
Detroit, another punch in the face by Matt's bass. The stunning line leads into a simple riff and on with the show. Vocals are sort of muffled on this track, but no matter, more room for Matt.
Rats In The Hallway provides some great guitar-work to fullfill your pleasures. Vocals also shine in this track, as Tim starts to develop his 'slurr' tactic. The portion closer,
Another Night, is another of the best. Great backup vocals from Matt, and more of a drum-driven song. No dissapointments yet.
Portion 1 Score- 4/5
Reccomended Songs- Adina, Hyena, Rats In The Hallway
Portion 2
Animosity starts up the second portion with a great intro and more chaotic guitar-work. The highlight is the chorus, very fast-paced, and always reminds me of 'Blackhawk Down.' Follows with
Outta My Mind, a much slower song, to change the pace a bit. The highlight is the bridge, where the bass speeds up a bit and the it picks up a little more. The vocals get annoying from time to time though.
Whirlwind starts off with some distortion and then into an explosive intro, and these have to be some of the best vocals provided by Matt ever. Very loud and fast-paced, like it was meant to belong on Let's Go.
Rejected is the second best song on the album, with crazy-ass bass that will satisfy. The song runs on Matt, and he makes the chorus insanely perfect. "Re-e-e-e-e-e-jected." Enjoy, bitches. Follows with
Injury, the song with possibly the best guitar-work. Tim gets wise with lyrics and Matt joins in for a quick and painless chorus. More fast-paced fun never hurt anyone. Ends the portion with the best song on the album.
Bottle another song with mind-crushing bass. Its impossible not be attracted. The most insane song on the album too. Tim rushes the verses fast enough to get Matt to join in at the great chorus. Best of the best. Must listen.
Portion 2 score- 5/5
Reccomended Songs- Whirlwind, Rejected, Bottle
Portion 3
Starts off with
Trenches. The use of Tim and Matt going back and forth with vocals is marvelous. We can also see great work coming from Brett, who has been given the same damn beat for the whole album. But he pulls off something more satisfying this time around.
Holiday Sunrise, which again causes me to think of older punk songs and think if maybe they were trying to follow the Sex Pistols' steps. Anywho, this track shines bright enough to be the third-best on the album. Tim leads the way with pretty generic vocals until Matt comes in with some help on the chorus. And the bass on the bridge leaves more marks of insanity. Then, on with
Unwritten Rules, which has Matt on lead vocals once again. Sounds great. The mellower bridge gets you up and ready for more chaos.
Union Blood is another of the best, featuring great vocals and guitar-work. The chorus shines a great deal here. It slows down a bit with the help of Matt's lead and then into the faster stuff again. And we see Brett in the spotlight a bit more. The portion and album closer,
Get Out of My Way, is a party-like song led by Brett's loud hats. the lyrics are hihgly infectious, and will get you at one time or another. Good closing, but not what I was hoping for.
Portion 3 Score- 3.5/5
Reccomended Songs- Holiday Sunrise, Union Blood, Get Out Of My Way
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Pros-
+Great guitar-work by Tim
+Amazing first impression by Matt throughout the entire album.
+Great production (Brett Gurewitz)
+Portion 2
Cons-
-Drums dont make much of an appearance (cant expect him to)
-Great deal of vocals get annoying
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The first production by Rancid certainly wouldnt be their last, and the mark this album left on the face of the genre wont be wearing off anytime soon. Even though, this is Rancid's first album, I dont suggest fans-to-be start out with this one. It just doesnt give you the glimpse of what the band is really trying to show you. It just goes to show what the band will accomplish in the following records. Great album overall, and a must-have for any Rancid fan. Barely any flaws or dissapointments. The band's struggle to get the album in the spotlightand its success is best represented by the Hyena lyrics.
"Fight for the lion's share...
Sometimes the lion's share aint there."
4.5/5
