Tim Armstrong Poets Life CD

Former Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong goes it alone on 2007's A POET'S LIFE, and turns in a thoroughly enjoyable (if somewhat surprising) solo effort. Rancid fans may be expecting blazing guitars and punk rock fist-pumping, but therein lies the surprise: A POET'S LIFE is a reggae album through and through. Armstrong revitalizes the long-lived connection between punk and Jamaican music by giving this album a deeply groove-centered, roots-conscious sound (courtesy of backing band the Aggrolites) and turning in a batch of songs that nod to rocksteady and dub. The album isn't without its uneven patches, but overall the songwriting, and especially Armstrong's passionate vocal performances, make it sugar for the ears. There's hardly a trace of punk aggression on the disc (save Armstrong's naturally gruff delivery), but it doesn't detract from the fun bounce and sway of this roots-centric release.

This began as a thank you from Tim to Rancid fans, to be released one track at a time on the Internet to tide fans over until the next Rancid full-length. But when KROQ in LA began heavily playing the explosive track, "Into Action

Personnel: Tim Armstrong (guitar); Brian Dixon (guitar); Roger Rivas (organ); J. Bonner (bass guitar); Korey Horn, Scott Abels (drums); Saliva Cano (percussion); Jesse Wagner (background vocals); The Aggrolites.

Additional personnel: Belinda 'Bibi' McGill, John Morrical, Hunter Perrin (guitar); Booge Jones, Jubal Jones (saxophone); Ethan Eveneri (trumpet); Martin Sullivan, Tom Cook (trombone); DJ Odi Of the Circle (turntables); Ritchie Stites, Skye Sweetnam, Daphna Dove (background vocals).

Kerrang (Magazine) (p.49) - "[T]his is life-affirming ska-punk....An American-wide postcard from the road..."