Rancid

Item: Indestructible
Author: Luke Harlow

Indestructible

(2003)

Reviewed by Luke Harlow

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Label Hellcat RecordsDecapolisAugust 2003

hardcore punk punk ska punk

Rancid is one of those bands that have achieved legendary status in the punk scene. They have been around as Rancid for more than a decade, but their members had played in a variety of important punk bands long before that (Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman both played in Operation Ivy, for example). They achieved mainstream success and recognition with several songs off of 1995's "...And Out Come the Wolves." "Indestructible" is their sixth album, released on Armstrong's Epitaph imprint Hellcat Records. Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion, Epitaph founder) produced the record.

When you boil it all down, there are basically two types of Rancid fans: those that think "Life Won't Wait" was genius and those who don't. This reviewer places himself in the first category and is more than pleased with "Indestructible," which continues the trajectory of songwriting from "LWW." After the uber-tough "Rancid 2000," the disappointing project sandwiched between "LWW" and "Indestructible," this current release is a breath of fresh air.

A lot of bands have tried to capture Rancid's sound, but no one has really ever succeeded. "Indestructible" showcases Rancid at their finest. Of course, nearly every song was probably inspired by The Clash (the opening and title track is a tribute to deceased punk legends Joe Strummer, Joey Ramone, and Dee Dee Ramone) and Rancid once again demonstrates their unmatched ability to blend punk, roots ska, and anything else and pull it off.

Rancid fans have grown accustomed to Tim Armstrong and Lars Frederiksen trading off vocal duties over catchy melodies and the manic bass playing of Matt Freeman. Tim is his usual raspy, heartfelt self, Lars is as snotty as ever, and Matt still plays bass games better than anyone in music (any genre) today.

"Indestructible" does not contain hit songs like "Time Bomb" or "Ruby Soho" and it does not open with anything as blistering as "Maxwell Murder." Nevertheless, every song is as good as anything the band has done in the past. This record is as good an introduction to the band as anything else they've recorded (but by all means, get their other records, too). "Indestructible" is exciting, it's catchy, and above all else, it's Rancid.