Rancid
Tomorrow Never Comes – Epitaph Records
Sometimes a music genre needs a bit of a shot in the arm to rejuvenate and refresh it. Rancid have been credited for helping do just this for punk rock in the early 90s. ‘… And Out Come The Wolves’ remains a classic example of timeless song writing to this day, a yardstick that others are held up against. Now though music has moved on in so many ways it’s threatening to leave behind the old bands in a sea of streaming and saturation. But, just when you think they may have had their day they go and deliver ‘Tomorrow Never Comes’ to remind you that they are masters of their craft. The underground roots are proudly on display here for all to see. There’s the uncomplicated yet immensely skilful penmanship. The vocals are direct and to the point, and critically the songs invite you to join in. They’ll be a riot live. Everything bounces along at a perfect tempo with little nods towards punk from both sides of the pond. That bridging of the UK and US alone is worth a listen. It’s a record that is proud to show off its radical roots while being firmly set towards the future. And it shows the Berkeley boys are still leading the way forward three decades or so from where it all began.
Review by Gary Trueman