Let the Dominoes FallRancid
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Released: June 2, 2009
Label: Epitaph
Review by: Bill Jones
It is hard not to feel that Rancid has hit a punk-by-the numbers phase over the last few years. Most fans know what to expect from a new Rancid album, and while, on one hand, delivering on that expectation sometimes means uninspired repetition, it also means consistency. Let the Dominoes Fall does very little to break that mold, but it is hard not to find it entertaining.
The lyrics feel like requisite punk anthems about corporations and war without much inspiration or flair, but it is nearly impossible to deny that Rancid still has a knack for writing incredibly catchy punk tunes.
The band forgoes an intricate opener, instead opting for Tim Armstrong’s opening lines to lead right into the tried-and-true Rancid sound with “East Bay Night.” “This Place” follows as one of those “requisite punk anthems,” with a raspier sound. “Up to No Good” follows with a toe-tapping ska songs accented by horns and a great bass groove. “Last One to Die” declares the band’s staying power.
The cycle repeats over the 19 songs contained on the album, with none proving either incredibly innovative or offensive to good punk tastes. The biggest disappointment is the lack of passion from the band, especially on the part of Armstrong. While it can always be a little tough to decipher a mood from the singer’s mumblings, it seems as though many of the vocals could have been recorded in one take without any interest in eliciting a quality performance. And if he can’t get excited about the music, how does Rancid expect excitement of the listener?
Still, the arrangements themselves seem a throwback to the And Out Come the Wolves... era, mixed with a tinge of folk flavor. Let the Dominoes Fall is little more than an excuse to hit the road, but as far as excuses to tour go, it isn’t half bad.
The lyrics feel like requisite punk anthems about corporations and war without much inspiration or flair, but it is nearly impossible to deny that Rancid still has a knack for writing incredibly catchy punk tunes.
The band forgoes an intricate opener, instead opting for Tim Armstrong’s opening lines to lead right into the tried-and-true Rancid sound with “East Bay Night.” “This Place” follows as one of those “requisite punk anthems,” with a raspier sound. “Up to No Good” follows with a toe-tapping ska songs accented by horns and a great bass groove. “Last One to Die” declares the band’s staying power.
The cycle repeats over the 19 songs contained on the album, with none proving either incredibly innovative or offensive to good punk tastes. The biggest disappointment is the lack of passion from the band, especially on the part of Armstrong. While it can always be a little tough to decipher a mood from the singer’s mumblings, it seems as though many of the vocals could have been recorded in one take without any interest in eliciting a quality performance. And if he can’t get excited about the music, how does Rancid expect excitement of the listener?
Still, the arrangements themselves seem a throwback to the And Out Come the Wolves... era, mixed with a tinge of folk flavor. Let the Dominoes Fall is little more than an excuse to hit the road, but as far as excuses to tour go, it isn’t half bad.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment