So why is Rancid’s Let’s Go on this best 1,000 albums ever thing?
Ska punk had a “moment” in the mid-1990s, with bands ranging from The Mighty Mighty BossTones to Reel Big Fish to No Doubt to Rancid finding their way onto “mainstream” rock radio and MTV for a period of time.
While some write off this moment and ska punk in general as something of a fad, I remain a passionate fan of the genre (and ska and punk rock generally, for what it’s worth) to this day.
I first became aware of Rancid around 1995 with the massive popularity of the brilliant album …And Out Come The Wolves, and came to see Let’s Go at that time as the slightly more raw and blistering side of the band versus the somewhat more pop punk sensibilities of …And Out Come the Wolves (#107 of best 1,000 albums ever).*
* For a TRULY blistering and great version of Rancid, check out their self-titled album from 2000 (#340).
The equal parts soaring and roaring “Salvation” may have been the first Rancid song that I ever heard, and it remains a favorite of mine to this day.
Taking a step back, Let’s Go is a lightning-fast ride, with 23 tracks jammed into 44 minutes and change of playing time. There are no weak spots – it’s maximum punk rock quality front to back.
“Nihilism,” the kickoff track, is a great entrée into the world of Rancid: raw yet surprisingly melodic, tight, hooks for days, loud, and a chorus that’s catchy on catchy.
“Radio” is a fantastic song, and I love the shoutout to The Clash, which Rancid and Tim Armstrong clearly worship and aren’t afraid of proclaiming how much they admire their UK punk forebears.
I’d also be remiss if I didn’t point out the sensational and wildly different cover of “Radio” by NOFX*.
* Check out more about the BYO Split Series Volume III album, #281 of best 1,000 albums ever, which features Rancid and NOFX covering each other’s stuff.
“Tenderloin” instantly reminds me of my own days living in San Francisco’s East Bay, homeland of such punk rock greats as Rancid, Operation Ivy, and Green Day.
I’ve always found “International Cover-Up” particularly catchy and even fun. And for some crazy reason, I associate it with what’s arguably the most bonkers episode of The Leftovers to ever air (which is saying something), “International Assassin.”
Some stats & info about Rancid – Let’s Go
- What kind of musical stylings does this album represent? Punk Rock, Rock Music, SF Bay Area Bands, Punk Revival, Ska Punk
- Rolling Stone’s greatest 500 albums ranking – not ranked!
- All Music’s rating – 4 out of 5 stars
- When was Let’s Go released? 1994
- My ranking, the one you’re reading right now – #128 out of 1,000
Rancid’s Let’s Go on Spotify
A lyrical snippet from Rancid’s Let’s Go that’s evocative of the album in some way, maybe
Come on baby won’t you show me what you got – I want your salvation.
What does the “best 1,000 albums ever” mean and why are you doing this?
Yeah, I know it’s audacious, a little crazy (okay, maybe a lot cray cray), bordering on criminal nerdery.
But here’s what it’s NOT: a definitive list of the Greatest Albums of All-Time. This is 100% my own personal super biased, incredibly subjective review of what my top 1,000 albums are, ranked in painstaking order over the course of doing research for nearly a year, Rob from High Fidelity style. Find out more about why I embarked on a best 1,000 albums ever project.