Rancid ...Honor Is All We Know

In recent years, the members of gravel-punk band Rancid have put side projects Transplants, The Old Firm Casuals and Tim Timebomb ahead of their main squeeze. Perhaps this time apart was for the best. ...Honor Is All We Know, the first Rancid album in five years, feels fresh despite its homages to the past: hot-rodding ’70s rock swagger (“Face Up,” the Stones-y “Malfunction”), upbeat reggae (“Everybody’s Sufferin’”), pit-fomenting hardcore (“Grave Digger”) and Clash-like anthems (“In the Streets”).

The only caveat? Anyone expecting any kind of deep lyrical meaning or messages is looking in the wrong place. Honor trades in rather generic sentiments of solidarity, unity and strength (sample: “Raise your fist/Against the power/The oppressive power that exists”). Still, it’s a minor quibble—with so much ragged punk charm—and standouts such as the merry ska-punk jig “Evil’s My Friend,” whose organ burps and gang vocals are irresistible—it’s hard to be cynical about this record.