NOFX Rancid

Item: Split
Author: Gunner

Split

(2002)

Reviewed by Gunner

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Label Better Youth OrganizationDecapolisJanuary 2002

punk skate punk

NOFX and Rancid are two of the longest-standing, most well known punk rock bands still around today. Anyone who's a fan of either has been eagerly awaiting this split CD where they cover each others' songs. Not even the track listing has been available, until now.

I'll start by saying I had high hopes for NOFX and not such high hopes for Rancid. I love both bands but NOFX have proven themselves time and again to be able to take a song and make it their own, no matter what the original sounded like (Don McLean's "Vincent" a perfect example). Rancid, however, while they're good at their whole anthemic reggae/ska influenced punk rock thing, have never had a chance to show what else they can do. Well, I was a little surprised on both sides of the coin.

NOFX has chosen I'm The One, Olympia WA, Tenderloin, Antennas, Corazon De Oro, and Radio. An odd mix, including some of Rancid's most recent work. For the most part all these songs sound like much more polished versions of the originals (ie. tighter guitars, perfect harmonies, and words you can actually understand). The only one of the 6 songs that I'm really partial to, Radio, was done as a slow reggae song, which is amusing but a little disappointing. And if you're wondering if Fat Mike can pull off some of Rancid's crazy basslines, keep wondering, because there isn't anything too tough here; there is some good and fast NOFX-style bass and speedy guitar solo on Tenderloin, though.

Rancid was a little more predictable, covering older songs which fit pretty well into their preferred style: The Moron Brothers, Stickin' In My Eye, Bob, Don't Call Me White, The Brews, and Vanilla Sex. The songs that Tim sings on are, as expected, vocally and lyrically butchered, but not without their charms. Bob is a shining example of this, because this could have been a Rancid song in the first place. Nowhere near as good as the original but certainly fun to listen to as you're never quite sure what he's going to sing! Don't Call Me White is sung very well by Matt and his famous bass skills are all over The Brews.

Overall, this is a must have for anyone who is a big fan of both bands, but if you don't like them both, you probably won't enjoy this at all. It's a great novelty listen but nothing you're going to keep in your CD player long except to show your friends.

C+