Rancid: Tim Armstrong, Lars Frederiksen (vocals, guitar); Matt Freeman (bass); Brett Reed (drums).

Additional personnel: Vic Ruggiero (guitar, piano, Hammond B-3 organ, percussion); Roddy Byers, Simon Coppers, Simon Chardiet (guitar); Lester Butler, Santo Fazio (harmonica); Jamil Sharif (horns, percussion); Will Wheaton (horns, background vocals); Mark Mullins, Dave Hillyard, Jamil Sharif (horns); Eric Stefani (piano); Thomas Johnson (percussion); Dr. Israel (steel drums, background vocals); Tim Shaw, Kristin Krisapline, Howie Pyro, Marky Ramone, Greg Lee, Alex Desert, Dicky Barrett, Roger Miret, Lynval Gordon, Neville Staples, Ollie Lettgenau (background vocals).

Personnel: Lars Frederiksen , Tim Armstrong (vocals, guitar); Alex Desert, Dicky Barrett, Dr. Israel, DJ Q Maxx 420, Greg Lee, Ollie Lattgenau, Lynval Golding, Neville Staple, Roger Miret, Wil Wheaton, Buju Banton (vocals); Victor Ruggiero (guitar, piano, percussion); Roddy Byers, Simon Chardiet (guitar); Stephen Perkins (steel guitar); Santa Fazio, Lester Butler (harmonica); David Hillyard, Jamil Sharif, Mark Mullins (horns); Eric Stefani (piano); Brett Reed (drums); Thomas "T.J." Johnson (percussion).

Audio Mixers: Tim Armstrong; Thomas "T.J." Johnson; Jerry Finn.

Recording information: Bloodclot Studio, Los Angles, CA; N.R.G., Brooklyn, NY; Ocean Way, Brooklyn, NY; Record; Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA.

Photographer: Jesse Fischer .

Rancid never win any points for originality, but originality isn't their goal. Rancid want to be, to quote an old Clash slogan, "the only band that matters." Where the Clash earned that title by mixing genres, blending the old with the new, Rancid decide to be traditional, spiking the Clash's sound with ska-punk and hardcore. Musically, that might not make the group vital in 1998, since it ignores any musical innovations since 1978, but that doesn't mean the group is impotent -- far from it. Life Won't Wait, the group's fourth album, is a powerful slice of old-school punk -- as powerful as any of their records. Apart from a more pronounced ska influence, it actually sounds a lot like its immediate predecessor, And out Come the Wolves, complete with the fiery intensity and catchy hooks that set the group apart from the retro-punk pack. Life Won't Wait, however, also shares the messy, pseudo-epic pretensions that hampered its predecessor. Taken in small doses, the record is quite powerful, but since the group's attack is fairly predictable, even with the detours into ska/reggae and blues, the album becomes wearing when taken as a whole. Still, Rancid are head and shoulders above their punk contemporaries -- they have better songs, a genuine political stance, and raging energy -- and that makes such indulgences tolerable. Even if it runs too long, there won't be a better old-school punk album than Life Won't Wait in 1998. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

There was always something a little different about Rancid. Though they came into the public eye in the mid-'90s California semi-punk wave that included Green Day and Offspring, Tim Armstrong, Lars Frederiksen and company tackled the punk path more earnestly, with a greater sense of commitment than their peers. If they garner comparisons to the Clash, well, that's just another way of saying they have a social conscience and a sense of history.

In Clash terms, LIFE WON'T WAIT is Rancid's Sandinista. They've always included a bit of ska and reggae into their music, but this is their most stylistically diverse record to date, exploring the reggae influence much more extensively, and incorporating other instruments (harmonica, keyboards, horns, even steel drums) into their guitar-based approach. Though they're still as rough around the edges as any punk-derived band should be, the Rancid boys retain an undeniable pop sensibility that comes out in their infectious, eminently tuneful compositions. LIFE WON'T WAIT is the band's most mature, accomplished release.

Rolling Stone (7/9-23/98, p.132) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...More than anything else, LIFE WON'T WAIT evokes the Clash's SANDINISTA!--but for all the right reasons....an exhilirating punk-rock record, one that delves into ska, blues and reggae..."

Spin (7/98, pp.121-122) - 7 (out of 10) - "...Success seems to agree with Rancid's songwriting. Their world, like their sound, has gotten bigger....LIFE WON'T WAIT vacation into reggae textures feels well-traveled and adventurous especially when Armstrong's singing faster than a steel drum..."

Entertainment Weekly (7/10/98, p.76) - "...This California quartet may ape some of the poppier punk moves of their most obvious forebears, the Clash, but like that seminal band, Rancid know how to leaven rage with buoyant tunefulness." - Rating: A-