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

Additional personnel: Beth Oiler (congas); Donnell Cameron (marraccas); Brett Gurewitz, Jay Bentley, Jeff Abarta, Eric Martini (background vocals).

Engineers includes: Chris Brooke, Michael Ewing, Jeff Peccerillo.

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

After several fine, if rather derivative, albums of ska-inflected punk rock, and after years of being criticized for relying unduly on gestures lifted from the Clash, Rancid has come roaring out with the harshest and most consistent album of their career. It wouldn't be entirely accurate to say that they've left their influences behind; rather, they've integrated them more completely and created a sound that is completely satisfying without having to prove anything about its own originality. That sound ends up being something like a cross between the Clash circa 1978 and the hardcore punk of the early-'80s Los Angeles scene. "Rwanda" is a stutter-step anthem of sympathy for a devastated country; "Corruption" has an atonal power-chord progression and headlong tempo that Minor Threat would have killed for; and "Blackhawk Down" is built on a ridiculously catchy descending bassline and a distinctly Oi!-flavored singalong chorus. No ska, no reggae, no dub, just 22 tracks in 38 minutes with barely a pause between songs and high tempos all the way. If you're looking for artistic subtlety, go back to the catalog; if all you need is a half-hour of undiluted adrenaline, you've come to the right place. ~ Rick Anderson

Forget Roots Radicals, Let's Go and Out Come the Wolves. As a matter of fact, forget everything that Rancid ever put out and take in consideration this EP. This has none of the Clash rip-off/ska-punk material that these guys would eventually be known for. Rather, this album is just straight-up punk in that really fast, aggressive, take-no-crap sort of way. Strong bass leads and Tim Armstrong's perpetually slurred voice lead the way before the blast of adrenaline kicks in and instigates a circle pit. If only Rancid remained true to this style instead of taking the route of Salvation, but at least this EP shows that they're not just a bunch of radio friendly rock stars. ~ Mike DaRonco

This is where it all starts. Without any reminiscing about their former band, Operation Ivy, Matt Freeman (bass) and Tim Armstrong (guitar/vocals) blast through their debut without any hints of ska or blatant Clash plagiarizing. On the contrary, this album rips through 15 tracks of high-energy punk that's accompanied by heavy bass leads and Armstrong's permanently slurred vocals. And to top it all off, the lyrical content deals with urban blight and the lifestyle of being a public nuisance. With this trademark sound, Rancid provide the perfect soundtrack for any car chase that includes massive property damage; is it a wonder MTV wouldn't touch this? ~ Mike DaRonco

You don't have to be a Rancid fan to acknowledge that the band lives and dies by the punk ethic of playing every note like it's going to be its last. You'll find one hundred and ten percent attitude and music that's as honest as you can get on RANCID (not to be confused with the band's self-titled 1993 release).

RANCID finds the band leaning away from its previous ska tendencies, and throwing itself head first into a full-on punk rock onslaught that should have fans of the early Clash seeking out the nearest mosh pit. "Let Me Go" has a chorus that sticks to you like peanut butter on the gums, while "I Am Forever" captures the essence and raw power of The Descendents. There's barely a pause between the 22 blistering tracks here, and it's clear the band intended it that way. "Rwanda" and "Radio Havana" offer huge sing-along choruses, while "Antennas" is unarguably the most melodic track in the set. But don't think that Rancid's getting soft; amid these glorious melodic moments, there's more than enough hardcore here to piss off your whole neighborhood.

Rolling Stone (8/31/00, p.76) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...[Their] mix of American thrash minimalism and Brit punk's sound and fury have transcended revivalist mimicry once and for all....a brutally exuberant rock album..."

Spin (11/00, p.209) - 8 out of 10 - "...A roots record scouring off any glossy residue left from the Alternative '90s by returning to pure punk..."

Entertainment Weekly (9/1/00, p.80) - "...One of the most vital things the punk world has coughed up in years..." - Rating: A-

Q (10/00, p.127) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...There's a lot of swearing, a few handsome tunes...the sure knowledge they'd be sensational live and the sheer, unadulterated gratitude for the fact they de-ska'd the entire album..."

CMJ (1/08/01, p.19) - Included in CMJ's "Best of the Year" for 2000.

CMJ (8/21/00, p.3) - "...Pure, uncut Rancid: stripped-down, violent and vicious....a classic..."

Melody Maker (8/8/00, p.48) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...All passion, no fashion, no bandwagon desperation. That's Rancid. And that is true punk rock."

NME (Magazine) (8/12/00, p.36) - 6 out of 10 - "...Fast and furious...and now they want to bludgeon with hardcore muscle..."