 Its been six whole years since Rancid last brought us a studio album (2003’s “Indestructible”) and haven‘t things changed since then. A new USA president, a worldwide recession, HD TV, Facebook taking over the world……the list could go on and on. Its refreshing then to see that even though the world is changing around us, some things do not change. “Last One To Die” is a clear indication that Rancid may have been gone for six years, but their music hasn’t changed one bit.
Since their formation in 1991, Rancid have always provided the listener with punk rock in the way it should be delivered. Short, sharp, spikes of energy, with aggressive vocals and a whole-hearted “fuck you lets party” attitude that punk is known and loved for. Songs such as “Ruby Soho”, “Timebomb” and “Fall Back Down”, have all contributed to Rancid’s amazing back catalogue of punk rock greatness and have earned them a loyal group of fans that will be eagerly anticipating the arrival of Rancid's new album “Let The Dominoes Fall”.
“Last One To Die” is the first single from Rancid's new album and it’s message is clear from the off. Armstrong growls lyrics such as “we're still around” through the chorus, seemingly taunting other punk rock bands that began their career at the same time or even after Rancid began theirs. The ones who have fizzled away and are forgotten about whilst Armstrong and company celebrate their 18 years in the business with a brand spanking new album. Bands like The Suicide Machines, The Distillers and 88 Fingers Louie. Bands that despite their ambition, determination and (in this writer's opinion anyway) excellent back catalogues of music, failed to last in the music industry for whatever reasons.
“Last One To Die” endlessly taunts these bands with lyrics like “we're growing up, you're going down”, reiterating the fact that even though they may not have the same line-up as they began with, Rancid are indeed still here and are as loud and brash as ever. Ska punk mixed with old school punk rock, blended together with some extremely catchy beats and wonderfully crafted song writing and technical abilities thrown in for good measure, “Last One To Die” is the perfect choice for their first single off new album, "Let The Dominoes Fall". Its bold, its addictively upbeat and more importantly it signifies that once again Rancid are back and are ready to catapult punk rock back into the forefront of our minds.
This track defiantly gets the blood pumping and certainly builds to the excitement of a new Rancid album. Some people might have feared that after the lengthy period that Rancid have been away, that they might have lost that creative touch, but fear not, “Last One To Die” certainly proves that Rancid have not lost a single thing. However, with 2009 looking to be the year for new punk rock albums from long lasting punk bands, (Green Day, NOFX, Sonic Youth) and punk reformation’s, (Blink 182), it looks like Rancid will need more than one great single to compete with these punk heavyweights.
Let’s hope “Let The Dominoes Fall” doesn’t just have one hit song and that all the tracks on the album have been produced with the same calibre and quality that “Last One To Die”, so evidently has. It may have been six long years that we have had to wait for this album, but if this track is anything to go by, “Let The Dominoes Fall” will not be a disappointment, but on the contrary a shining light of optimism and fun in an otherwise depressingly serious and pessimistic world.
Last edited by altsounds : June 3, 2009 at 10:19 AM.
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| | | | Overall Rating | | 9 | | Vocals / Lyrics | | 8 | | Musicianship | | 9 | | Production | | 9 | | Creativity | | 8 | | Lastability | | 7 | | Reviewers Tilt | | 9 |
84% | |
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RANCID - 'Last One To Die'
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