RANCID - "...Honor Is All We Know"

In underground music, there's always those who are regarded as royalty among fans. For the juggalos, that title belongs to the likes of ICP, House Of Krazees, Esham, and NATAS. For heavy metal fans, that title belongs to Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, and Megadeth. For punk rock it's Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Bad Religion, The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Joan Jett, and the band whose new album is about to get a fresh ass faygoluvers.net review for: Rancid! "...Honor Is All We Know" was originally slated for a 2012 release to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band's formation. That did not happen. The band members themselves were just way too busy with other projects. Lars Frederiksen was in the middle of a global tour with his latest side-project The Old Firm Casuals, Matt Freeman wrapped up a tour with his side project Devil's Brigade, Brandon Steineckert is signed as one of the executive producers for the long-awaited sequel to SLC Punk! titled Punk's Dead!, and Tim Timebomb (Tim Armstrong's new alias) was making a series of rock-operas known as "Tim Timebomb's Rock N' Roll Theater". Tim also released a new album with The Transplants, as well as a 100 song plus 2nd solo release on iTunes titled "Tim Timebomb & Friends". So yes it was quite a long and memorable hiatus for the band this time around. Track List:

1. Back Where I Belong
2. Raise Your Fist
3. Collision Course
4. Evil's My Friend
5. Honor Is All We Know
6. A Power Inside
7. In The Streets
8. Face Up
9. Already Dead
10. Diabolical
11. Malfunction
12. Now We're Through With You
13. Everybody's Sufferin'
14. Grave Digger

Bonus Songs

1. Breakdown
2. Something To Believe In A World Gone Mad
3. Turn In Your Badge
4. Rancid's Barmy Army

The new album comes 20 years after their 2nd album Let's Go, and 19 years after their most successful album ...And Out Come The Wolves. ...Honor Is All We Know marks the return of the snarly vocals of Tim Armstrong. Songs like "Back Where I Belong", "Collision Course", and "Now We're Through With You" bring back the snarls, hard and fast-paced music, and straight up hardcore punk style first heard on Rancid's debut EP from 1992. The title track "Honor Is All We Know" pays homage to brotherhood, unity, and trust (which is pretty much the basis of Juggalo family, right?). It's also the only song where Tim, Lars, and Matt share lead vocal duties. The rest of the album is a mix of songs with Tim and Lars, and songs with just Tim. There are, of course, a couple pro-union style songs on the album like "Raise Your Fist", and "A Power Inside" which continues to showcase the band's middle-class heritage. Street anthems are also included such as "In The Streets", "Face Up", "Already Dead", "Diabolical", and "Gravedigger". And of course no Rancid album is complete without at least a homage/throwback to Tim and Matt's Ska Roots (Google "Operation Ivy" for those who are going "umm..... Huh?") and they have that covered for you as well with "Evil Is My Friend", "Malfunction", and "Everybody's Suffering". The band mixed every single element that was showcased on previous albums (except acoustic rock and rap/rock) and give us not only another great masterpiece, but something for future generations to crank up 40 years from now after most of us are all dead, buried, and bones have turned to dust. Certain releases of the album come with bonus cuts.  Japan got an extra song that the States won't get  Nonetheless, I'm not gonna leave those out of the review! The bonus cuts "Breakdown" (Vinyl bonus Track) is a great fusion track combining rockabilly with ska, "Something To Believe In A World Gone Mad" (bonus 7 inch Record on the vinyl version) is another great throwback style song showcasing the band's old school style.  "Turn In Your Badge" (on the same 7 inch) is a song inspired by recent events in Missouri (in my opinion) showcasing the social protests that the band has always stood behind since day one. The Japanese version of the CD contains all 3 bonus songs, plus one more called "Rancid's Barmy Army". The song "Rancid's Barmy Army" is a great anthem for the hardcore Rancid Punx like myself who have not given up on their favorite punk band, who have sold over 5 million albums but have NEVER signed with a major record label.  It's a great way to close the deluxe editions of the album. All in all. Rancid's long-overdue 8th studio album ...Honor Is All We Know could be considered one of the best releases from the band since their 1998 album Life Won't Wait. These guaranteed 1st year ballot Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer's continue to shine over the years and showcase eternal energy that has no signs of running out anytime soon. So if you're looking for an album that bleeds energy, unity, pride, honesty, and REALNESS, then Rancid's ...Honor Is All We Know is the album for you! Juggalo PUNX/PRJ 4 Life!