In the wake of the early 90’s punk revival every record executive was looking to sign these kids from California who were making songs like The Clash, Minor Threat, and the Toasters combined; taking the best of last 70’s punk rock, 80’s hardcore and 90’s 3rd wave. Bands like Green Day, and The Offspring went with the major labels, and really alienated themselves from their original core audience. Rancid went in the other direction, and stayed on their original label, Epitaph. Keeping their original formula they released on of their best LPs.
This album hits the ground at 100mph, and doesn’t stop. All the songs are 3 minutes or less of screaming driving punk rock. They stay rooted in their punk foundation, but don’t let that hold them down. They push as far as they can in all directions exploring different sounds from pop punk to hardcore to ska punk.
The album was praised by critics and sold really well. All three singles charted and the album has gone platinum. This is another example to me that you don’t have to be on a big label or be really accessible to be popular. If the music’s really good people will listen, keep listening, and tell their friends.
I was going to put on of the singles as the track for this song, but there’s a good chance you’re heard them. If you want to hear them look it up, you clearly have the Internet. I decided to put up the opening track that’s one of my favorites in their discography. It’s fast, angry, and has a great bass solo.
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