Rancid: Tomorrow Never Comes [Album Review]

Rancid
Tomorrow Never Comes
Epitaph Records [2023]

After a five-year hiatus, Rancid returns with their tenth studio album, Tomorrow Never Comes. This album marks a solid return to form for the band, blending a familiar sound with a refreshing energy. The album showcases Rancid’s trademark ska-punk style, infused with a more mature and refined edge. The songs are undeniably catchy, the lyrics thought-provoking, and the overall production by longtime collaborator Brett Gurewitz, guitarist of Bad Religion and founder of Epitaph Records, is top-notch. In fact, it’s the best Rancid record since their self-titled album in 2000.

From the first song to the last, Rancid delivers their unmistakable style, with Tim Armstrong’s snarl taking center stage. “New American” serves as a powerful anthem, shedding light on the struggles of being an immigrant in America. It is a exactly the kind of track you expect to find on a Rancid album. Other standout songs include the closing track, “When The Smoke Clears,” which conveys a message of second chances, and “Devil In Disguise,” a hard-hitting ode to the turbulent world we live in. The sing-along track “It’s A Road To Righteousness” also leaves a lasting impact.

Tomorrow Never Comes is a strong album that showcases Rancid at the top of their game. With 16 songs packed into a 28-minute runtime, it’s a must-have for any Rancid fan. The album displays some of the band’s finest guitar work in years, as it embraces a more mature and polished sound while still retaining their signature energy and attitude. Overall, Tomorrow Never Comes is a fantastic release from a band that continues to thrive, avoiding attempts to recreate the past and proving their enduring strength over the years.

KEY TRACKS
“Devil In Disguise” / “It’s A Road To Righteousness” / “New American”

ARTISTS WITH SIMILAR FIRE
The Pogues / Bad Religion / The Chats

RANCID REVIEW HISTORY
…Honor Is All We Know (2014)

RANCID LINKS
Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Bandcamp | Epitaph Records

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Thomas Wilde

Thomas has a wide range of musical tastes as the NYC scene consistently broadens his pallet. Thomas is enjoying the opportunity to write at TFN and in his spare time is always looking for limited pressings of vinyl to add to his ever growing collection.

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