Tim Armstrong
A Poet's Life Vinyl LP

Tim Armstrong fronted Rancid, and he was also a part of the influential ska-punk band Operation Ivy. A Poet's Life is Armstrong's solo debut, originally released in 2007, and he links with The Aggrolites, a reggae band from Los Angeles, to deliver a set of mid-tempo rocksteady jams that successfully capture the vibe of '70s Jamaican music. Check out "Wake Up," the funky, echo-aided opener, or "Into Action," a surf-influenced uptempo number that conjures up images of summer. Other highlights include "Hold On," "Among the Dead," and "Inner City Violence."

• gatefold cover
• music label: Hellcat Records 2007 / 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo 06/18