RANCID...is there really anything more to say?
Founded in 1991, their most famous album is “...and out come the Wolves“ and since the release of this album in 1995, the Californians have become an integral part of the scene and punk history. This is, of course, also due to Tim Armstrong, the singer, guitarist, and head of the band. But he is not only the head of the band but also the head of “Hellcat Records“, which deserves great respect and consistently releases very interesting bands, such as the rapidly rising Grade 2 from the UK.
But now let's get to the new album by the Californians.
There are a total of 16 songs on “Tomorrow Never Comes“. A number that reminds us of the good old days. Today it’s more of an exception, back then it was standard. Of course, one cannot measure an album's quality by the number of its songs, but only by the songs themselves and what the band has to say.
RANCID still has a lot to say. Even the titles of the songs show that the band has neither grown tired nor softened. “The Bloody & Violent History“, “Mud, Blood & Gold“, “Prisoners Song“ or “When the smoke clears“ are good examples. As mentioned, the band does not hold back. This continues to speak very well for the band.
Musically, the band moves between street punk, dark and powerful punk of the Californian school, '77 punk, and folk-punk. I find the sound rougher than on the band's last album. “Troublemaker“, released in 2017 and discussed here at ramtatta.de https://www.ramtatta.de/s/reviews/f/details/id/8018/, had more speed. “Tomorrow Never Comes“ has more roughness and somehow more grit in the nose of the street kid. This is probably also due to Tim Armstrong's singing, whose voice is no longer that of a bright-voiced choir boy.
The album thus differs from “Troublemaker“ but is still and definitely RANCID. This will please all fans, and so this album will also be celebrated live together with the band. It will be a party again, a family celebration...
RANCID remain RANCID and now simply stand for themselves.
