Rancid

Rancid: Rancid (EP)Rancid (EP) (1992)
Lookout Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: DrooteDroote
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on February 25th 2011After the break-up of Operation Ivy, two of that band's members, Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, went on to form other bands, but ended up with the band Rancid with Brett Reed on drums. Later on, Lars Frederiksen would join the band, but this is before that. This is recorded in 1991, but released in.

After the break-up of Operation Ivy, two of that band's members, Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, went on to form other bands, but ended up with the band Rancid with Brett Reed on drums. Later on, Lars Frederiksen would join the band, but this is before that. This is recorded in 1991, but released in 1992. Although this was recorded just two years after Operation Ivy broke up, this EP shows that the new band had a significantly different sound from the older bands. They had clearly moved on.

The sound of this self-titled EP is really similar to Rancid's first LP (which was also self-titled). This is very straightforward punk rock, with no ska tendencies or any other hints or fusions of other genres. Tim and Matt are sharing the vocal duties somewhat equally, both singing in their old snotty and shouting style. I'm really glad Matt sang a lot on this thing, because I find his voice amazing and really suiting to Rancid's songs. That is one of the things lacking in today's Rancid: Matt's singing. And I miss it.

Already from the beginning, Matt's signature bass playing is present. It is fast, diverse, and I think he really has one or two extra fingers. Tim's guitar playing is furious and angry, and with Brett's fast-paced drumming, this EP is one speedy, angry and energetic recording with not one pause from the intesity. The lyrics aren't too bad, either. "Idle Hands" is dealing with Tim's alcoholism, being homeless and hopelessly knocked down. "Media Controller" is about the general anti-mainstream. backstabbing businessmen and sell-out bands-you know, the general punk-themed song. In "Battering Ram", the band stresses how important it is to go your own way and that nothing should stop you doing what you want to. It is also arguably the best song of the EP, a classic Rancid song overall.

This EP was before Rancid sold out to a major label, before they took the punk out of punk rock regarding their own music, and before MTV couldn't get enough of them. If you liked the two first Rancid albums, then you will love this raw, intensity-filled EP. It will make you reminisce of a time when Rancid was a good band.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

10feettall (December 18, 2011)

blood-guts-punkrock (August 8, 2011)

Rancid are STILL a GREAT band!

ThankYou (March 23, 2011)

What is it with fucking kids when they hear the words sell out that they have to use it for everything for the next 4 or 5 years, grow the fuck up because no one gives a shit anymore.

...I actually quite liked LA River.

Larry_Lawrence (March 3, 2011)

This review appears to be at a 2nd grade reading level. That's quite considerate of you. The lowest common denominator needs encouragement like this, and you're doing the world a great service.

yourcrap (March 1, 2011)

worse review ever

Allular (March 1, 2011)

They sold out, blah blah blah blah.

scientistrock (February 28, 2011)

Is that last paragraph for real?

misterspike (February 28, 2011)

I love that shitty, sell-out band Rancid.

JayTee (February 28, 2011)

When the hell were Rancid "All over MTV"? Back in 1995 you'd see Dr. Dre and Tupac's super-mega video every 6 seconds, some grundge and then maybe Singled Out. If Rancid did get played, it was maybe at like 2 am. Why do people constantly blow just how popular Rancid was(n't) out of proportion? As an impressionable Jr. High aged youth in 1995, if Rancid was huge, I WOULD'VE been into 'em and not discovered them through punk rock people a year or 2 later.

Tudor (February 28, 2011)

Yeah, you're right. Rancid sucks.

stevilpromotions (February 26, 2011)

wat an idiot

NewbombJerk (February 26, 2011)

Terrible ending to a mediocre review. What a D bag.

chawkins (February 26, 2011)

Since when did Epitaph become a "major label?"

superskabro (February 26, 2011)

wow. This review seems to have been written by a "punk as fuck" 16-year-old. The last paragraph, however, was written by his "even punker than fuck" 13-year-old little brother.

I love Rancid, by the way.

zatransis (February 26, 2011)

"This sounds like old Rancid, not new Rancid. I hate New Rancid because they don't represent what I wanted them to be. They left me in 1992 with other stagnant minds."

That's the paraphrased version.

Jawbroker (February 26, 2011)

I too used to think that Matt was a decent singer, but LA River definitely killed that.

cdogg (February 26, 2011)

The last paragraph of this review made me log in to comment for the first time since December 2008.

Much like Samuel L. Jackson in "Unbreakable" had been scanning the news for years in hopes of finding someone who was invincible, I have been scanning the reviews of this site in hopes of finding "The One." In this case, "The One" is the reviewer who writes an ok review for an awesome band but then negates that whole review by ending it with the stupidest and most immature paragraph of all time. At long last my search has ended!

Thank you Droote!!!!!

Hey_Asshole (February 26, 2011)

I am, by no means, a defender of Rancid. But, when was MTV "not able to get anough" of them. I know in the mid 90's they had minor hits with Ruby Soho and Timebomb. But, not really the same as being legit pop stars. Similarly, was Fall Back Down really that big of a hit?

I have not listened to Rancid in a good number of years, but even I think that whole "sell out" thing at the end of this review was stupid.

Tye (February 25, 2011)

this guy clearly hasn't heard LA River.

skolarx (February 25, 2011)

i have this somewhere, probably haven't listened to it in 17 years though. can't remember a damn thing about it to be honest, think i didn't hate it though

to recap... i got nothin'

oldpunkerforever (February 25, 2011)

straighttohell82, thank you-oldpunker-

mclz (February 25, 2011)

I have 4 copies of this bad boy including a test pressing. I just need the test pressing on blue vinyl which I know I will never own.

StraightToHell82 (February 25, 2011)

"This EP was before Rancid sold out to a major label, before they took the punk out of punk rock regarding their own music, and before MTV couldn't get enough of them. If you liked the two first Rancid albums, then you will love this raw, intensity-filled EP. It will make you reminisce of a time when Rancid was a good band."
------------------------------------------------------
W ow. Grow up, moron.

Chesterfield_King (February 25, 2011)

Yes, yes I am. I know that both the Sex Pistols and The Clash were on major labels.

oldpunkerforever (February 25, 2011)

please tell me you are joking Chesterfield-King-oldpunker-

ZappBrannigan (February 25, 2011)

This is terrible. Did we really need someone to review this now?

MTV doesn't give two shits about Rancid. Also, ridiculous overuse of "band" in the first paragraph.

Chesterfield_King (February 25, 2011)

Rancid are such sell outs! How dare they evolve their sound, become popular, and reach out to new fans through the backing of a major label. I miss the good old days, when punk didn't sell out to major labels, like the Sex Pistols and The Clash.

Half_Idiot (February 25, 2011)

That last paragraph makes me think this review was written in 1995 and stuffed in a time capsule with specific instructions to not be opened for 15 years.

lushj (February 25, 2011)

Been runnin' my whole life...