Rancid - Indestructible

I've heard people say, "it's all about the music," so I must keep that in mind when writing this review. I can't hold any grudges against the band for their "crimes" as of late - mingling with pop stars, The Transplants, and working with a major label after how many years of saying "fuck major labels!" With that said, I'll concentrate on the music, and not my personal vendettas with a band that once had my utmost respect. Rancid has always been a band to vary their sound a little bit with each album; combinations of rock, ska, reggae, and punk are always easy to find in any of their work. Tim Armstrong's poor attempts at singing (which has worked for him), Lars Frederiksen's nasty shouting (effectively used), and Matt Freeman's master basswork (sadly, not as noticeable this time around) have made this quartet one of the most elite bands of the 90's punk-rock scene. Indestructible brings to mind 1998's Life Won't Wait, one that let down a lot of fans because the band ventured off into more experimental territory. Though, this release contains elements of every other album the band has done - the harder, more straightforward punk on "Out of Control", the more fun, sing-along stuff for "Fall Back Down" and "Ghost Band", and the organ driven "Arrested in Shanghai". Rancid knows to do what they do best - write catchy, narrative-driven songs that are fun to sing along with, without making themselves out as idols for teenage girls. One clear downside to the album, though, is that "Skinhead" Rob Aston (yeah, that guy from The Transplants) appears a time or two. But, the fact that Indestructible has 19 tracks more than makes up for it. Some of the band’s best hooks found their way onto this album, but, on the other hand, a fair deal of the choruses are pretty weak. It's a mixed bag, but, then again, that might be my emotions taking over. While this is no ...And Out Come the Wolves or Let's Go, it's keeping the band's career at a stable level. It's not going to be one of my favorite albums of the year, but it'll see its way into rotation and I'll be sure to cut out the highlight tracks for a mixtape or two. [www.rancidrancid.com]