(Hellcat/Shock)
Herald rating: * * *
Review: Russell Baillie
On the latest set by mohawked Californian punks Rancid, they've gone for speed over comfort. Which means we get 22 tracks in 38 minutes 24 seconds, which doesn't leave a lot of room for the sort of melodic, ska-shaped niceties which previously got them compared favourably to the Specials or the Clash.
Actually, the fact that they could write songs made them the best New Clash until the revival of Joe Strummer (who is now signed to Rancid singer-guitarist Tim Armstrong's label Hellcat).
But if the tunes leave less of an impression, the blistering pace of those quickstep tracks delivered in end-to-end salvos is still quite thrilling, especially care of Matt Freeman's spidery basswork and Armstrong's razor-gargling voice.
And there is some relief from the jackhammering offered by the likes of Radio Havana, Let Me Go and Rwanda. The latter might not actually raise moshpit concern for that particularly tragic African nation. But given their Clash-conscience, better Rancid should do it than Blink 182.
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