Rancid - Indestructible (2003)

Ten years after Rancid's debut album, INDESTRUCTIBLE shows how far the CA punks have come from their beginnings. Initially, even their fans admitted their strong resemblance to the early Clash sound, but starting with 1998's LIFE WON'T WAIT they began expanding their punk-plus-ska sound. Listening to INDESTRUCTIBLE, it's hard to imagine that Rancid ever sounded like anyone but themselves. Certainly the influence of late-1970s British punk and ska bands can still be felt, but the sophisticated lyrics and carefully conceived (though still driving) arrangements are strictly sui generis. It's also heartening to note that they haven't lost any of their edge; tracks like the snarling "David Courteney" and the Motorhead meets Bad Brains fury of "Out of Control" nearly leap off the disc and throttle the unsuspecting listener. Now that's punk rock.

Rancid's sixth album, Indestructible, starts off with a melodic blast of punk intentions, "Indestructible", and doesn't back down until the last chords of "Otherside", a heartbreaking ode to the late brother of Lars Fredericksen, fade away. In between are 17 songs that live up to the glorious reputation of one of the great punk bands of any era. Yeah, there ain't nothing new going on here: a little bit of ska, lots of politics, lots of pissed-off vocals (speaking of vocals, Tim Armstrong just keeps getting better and weirder with each album), lots of passion, and lots of melody. Songs like the anthemic "Fall Back Down", "Memphis", and "Born Frustrated" are the kind of songs that make you want to throw your arms around your nearest comrade and belt out the chorus at the top of your lungs. Songs like the red-hot ska-fueled "Red Hot Moon"; the funky ode to the homeless, "Stand Your Ground"; and the spaghetti western-inspired "Django" show off the band's range. "Start Now" is the track that stands out from the rest; it has one of the band's best choruses and is a perfect blend of their epic and melodic tendencies. The only downside of the album is the slow ballad "Arrested in Shanghai", which is an admirable attempt at expanding their sound which nevertheless is a failure. There are also a couple of punk-by-the-numbers tunes, like the fairly plodding "David Courtney" and the silly "Roadblock". (It seems like the Lars-sung songs are the weak links on the album.) Overlook these small problems and this is still prime Rancid. If you know Rancid and love Rancid, you will love this record like an old friend. If you are new to the band, get this and then get "And Out Come the Wolves" immediately.

~ Tim Sendra, AMG

Tracklist:

01. Indestructible
02. Fall Back Down
03. Red Hot Moon
04. David Courtney
05. Start Now
06. Out Of Control
07. Django
08. Arrested In Shanghai
09. Travis Bickle
10. Memphis
11. Spirit Of '87
12. Ghost Band
13. Tropical London
14. Roadblock
15. Born Frustrated
16. Back Up Against The Wall
17. Ivory Coast
18. Stand Your Ground
19. Otherside

all songs written by Armstrong/Frederiksen except "3" by Armstrong/Frederiksen/Reed/Aston,
"7" by Armstrong, "14" by Armstrong/Frederiksen/Reed, "11" by Armstrong/Frederiksen/Carlock

Produced by Brett Gurewitz
Recorded at Sound City Studios; Grand Master Recorders; Sondra Recorders.
Additional personnel: Skinhead Rob, Brett Gurewitz, Siedan Garrett (vocals); Vic Rodriguez (keyboards); Luis Conte (percussion).

• Tim Armstrong - vocals, guitar
• Lars Frederiksen - vocals, guitar
• Matt Freeman - bass, vocals
• Brett Reed - drums

Release Date: August 19, 2003
Label: Hellcat
Catalog No.: 48529-2