Search - Nofx, Rancid :: BYO Split Series, Vol. 3

Excellent job especially Rancid...

Tony Hall | the internet | 10/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I happen to be a bigger fan of NOFX than I am of Racid, but I've got to tip my hat to Rancid because I think they did a better job.I thought that NOFX could've chose better Rancid songs to cover, but their version of Olympia WA was almost better than the original.Now Rancid chose some great songs and did them well. Their versions of Don't Call Me White and Brews is excellent and their version of Vanilla Sex is classic.Don't pass this one by. It's more than a novelty."

Punk rock originates the best ideas.

Rocid | socal | 03/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is rad. Two of the best bands covering six of the other's trax. Punk rock is infinitely the most dynamic, original source of music still. I'm stoked NOFX covered Corazon de Oro. Their version isn't as good as the original but is quality to hear pumped up. Antennas is a faster, though less agro version. Radio is raggae throughout, which works really well with a completely different tempo. I'm surprised NOFX choose to cover Olympia,WA, and I'm shocked they covered I'm The One and Tenderloin. These covers are still good, but don't really differ much from the originals.NOFX is a really good band but this split makes it clear that Rancid is unparalleled. The NOFX covers aren't as good as the originals (though still good) but the Rancid covers are unbelievable. The only questionable cover Rancid chose is Vanilla Sex. I would haver preferred Please Play This Song on the Radio, but the change of pace works well on this disc. I would have chosen Liza and Louise over Don't Call Me White but Matt's vocals make the cover original. I didn't think it was possible to record better versions of The Brews and Bob, but Rancid succeed. The solo for Bob is one of the best you'll ever hear. Stickin' In My Eye and The Moron Bros are solid.Probably the biggest surprise here is that the Rancid covers sound as though they were recorded around the time of the ...And Out Come the Wolves sessions, though with more intensity. Rancid is going into the studio this summer for Rancid VI, and I hope this sound is foreshadowing of things to come.Epitaph Records was cool enough to let BYO put out this split and it worked out really well."

Good album for big fans of both bands.

Nick | Visalia, CA USA | 07/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Some of the people reviewing this are being kind of stupid and looking at it wrong. The bands weren't trying to out-do each other or anything. It was all just for fun. Some guy said NOFX ruined the Rancid songs by changing the style too much. THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT! Of course it's not going to sound like it's "supposed to!" They wanted to do the other's song in their own style. What would be the fun in trying to make it sound the same as the original version? I think they both did a great job.



Personally I liked NOFX's stuff better just because I'm a bigger fan of them. I'm a huge Rancid fan, too, but the vocals on "Don't Call Me White" and "Moron Bros." were kind of annoying. I guess just because Tim and Matt's vocal style doesn't really match up well with Fat Mike's, so it sounds really weird. As for NOFX, I liked all the songs. "Tenderloin" kind of bugged me because at first I didn't even recognize it until he started singing the chorus, but it was an okay cover. "Antennas" was awesome, and so was "Corozon De Oro." Their version of "Radio" was hilarious. I've talked to Rancid fans that hated that, but it's pretty obvious that it's a joke, especially if they saw them play it live at Warped Tour in 2002. They brought out a few rastafarians to play keyboard for it. It was great.



Best tracks are NOFX - "Olympia, WA" and Rancid - "Stickin In My Eye" or "The Brews," I can't decide.



Overall it's a cool buy, but before getting this I'd probably suggest owning most, if not all, of the NOFX and Rancid albums so you recognize the songs. It'll be cooler that way."