Rancid - Life Won't Wait

A year long project that took the band from San Francisco to Los Angeles, New York, New Orleans and Jamaica, Life Won't Wait has highlights that are as varied as they are rewarding. "Bloodclot" is a punk anthem as brawny as any ever recorded, replete with Lars' lyrical nods to Lee "Scratch" Perry and the Ramones. "Warsaw" and "New Dress" explore world-scale class struggle and out-and-out warfare. Of the two songs actually recorded in Jamaica, "Hoover Street" is a poignant addict's lament with sweet soulful vocal assists from Hepcat, while the title track features Tim and Lars sparring with dancehall kingpin Buju Banton against a canvas of urgent old school ska. Self-produced, culled from life experience, and played live in large measure, Life Won't Wait is as ambitious and independent as it gets. (Epitaph Records)