Album Review: Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace
A long time ago, though not too far back, teenagers used to bash heads against one another, chanting mercifully, “Come out and play!” It was the summer of 1994 and along with Green Day’s breakout album Dookie, Smash convinced every teenager they were newfound punk rockers. It didn’t take much convincing, especially since most of the fan base carried over after a certain someone was found in a certain green house. The misnomer that was grunge rock was fading and with the rise of “gangsta rap” from the likes of Nas and Wu-Tang Clan, rock fans embraced this more mainstream punk rock approach.
There’s an interesting parallel between the two pioneers, Green Day and The Offspring. Both of their follow ups, Insomniac and Ixnay on the Hombre respectively, embrace that dark side to the band, scaling back from the click n’ pop that made their breakthroughs so enjoyable (and successful). When that didn’t play out as well as they’d hoped, the two bands decided to speak directly to their audience, writing in perspectives that didn’t quite match their age, with the high school angst in Americana and the teenage drama in Nimrod. Okay, so what’s the point?
Green Day moved on. Warning and American Idiot broke past any barriers that stopped them before, working off of a more mature sound that didn’t quite find success until the latter. The keyword here is mature, something that The Offspring strayed further away from, with continuous attempts to capitalize on the success of “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)” that resulted in later (horrid) singles, “Original Prankster” and “Hit That.” Even if 2003’s Splinter held some grit and punch, it was largely ignored commercially; instead, pushing the band into recluse.
Two words: Good call.
Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace, the band’s eighth album, is the culmination of two years writing and recording, a first for an Offspring release. With so much time locked away recording, sparring shows here and there and a Greatest Hits album to boot, one would think the band had enough time to write some bold material. The result? A pretty bad case of “this and that.”
“Hammerhead”, the current single, is a good harbinger to base this album off of, considering it changes structure and pace a few times in just under five minutes. Holland hasn’t sounded quite this sincere since the very best Americana had to offer (”The Kids Aren’t Alright”, “Have You Ever”), shouting off some frightening lyrics (”And you can all hide behind your desks now/ And you can cry, ‘teacher come help me! “) with some engine like distortion that rockets ahead. There’s some banter in the song, mainly towards the end that hints the band’s latter years, too. Altogether, it works lyrically, but lacks the swinging enthusiasm, namely due to uninspired riffs that are too polished from the start.
This is an album that shows its age. A song like “Half Truism” rings back on the 2004-2005 days, when emo rockers The Used, My Chemical Romance or Brand New banged out sing-a-long choruses (”If we don’t make it alive/Then it’s a hell of a good day to die”) that hit the heart more than the balls, which was something The Offspring previously trademarked. There’s even some backpedaling, as seen in the nostalgic “Trust in You”, which brings to mind Smash’s “Nitro” or “Something to Believe In” and an assortment of riffage from that era, despite the flashy guitar scales at the end. It’s good and all, but by the end of the day, wouldn’t you rather be listening to Smash?
The dance-y “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” seemingly competes with the Panic! crowd, only it’s saved by some of that edge which usually overshadows any Offspring song (Close call!). It’s a catchy tune, thanks to its lyrics (”Dance fucker dance, he never had a chance/ It was really only you”), and something any fan should appreciate. “Takes Me Nowhere” borrows from this fluff, too. It’s not as successful, but certainly not as affronting as what comes soon after..
The slower songs here stick out like sore thumbs, especially the rumored second single, “Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?”, which might be the worst song the band’s put together, complete with cheeky melodies, a horrible acoustic drawl, and a forced chorus (”Can you stay strong?/ Can you go on?/ Kristy, are you doing okay?”). Despite the story behind it, the song sounds stripped from a cliché romantic comedy, simply because that’s what it sounds like, a cliché. Again, this is unfortunate given the lyrical material there. On the other hand, “A Lot Like Me”, aside from the piano laden introduction, is a more driving, powerful hit that doesn’t necessarily belong in the Offspring catalog, but doesn’t hurt. Toss in “Fix You” to the mix, an introspective love song that showcases Holland’s vocals, and the gentle side of the former balls-to-the-wall band is available for everyone to laugh at.
Towards the end, “Nothingtown” starts sounding too Green Day, which is unfortunate for this review, given my bloated history lesson beforehand. Then there’s “Stuff Is Messed Up”, a throw away track, attempting to be contemptuous yet coming off stale, and “Let’s Hear It For Rock Bottom” that conditions itself with a series of upstroke guitar chords that lead to a chorus that once belonged to Blink-182. The closing track, “Rise And Fall”, is “American Idiot” but with cheaper lyrics, though if those aren’t your thing, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the two.
On the whole, there’s enough here to keep the fans busy and patient, that is until Holland decides he wants to grow up musically, too. It’s a shame. They’re a step up from 2003’s Splinter, but unfortunately there’s so much weight here that it’s sinking what should have been a great comeback album. Nine times the charm?
Rating: 
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Why does the offspring have to mature?according to this review, green day matured and american idiot is a good album. Yeah thats why now their name is the foxboro hot tubs and they are going back in time doing a much older pop rock form(which i enjoy), but the american idiot album sucked sooooo very much. The only song i enjoy off that album is jesus of suburbia. I have not heard the whole new offspring album, but if it’s anything like the two songs i sampled here, i am pretty excited and I am not sure I would like a more mature offspring. Maturity in music can go either way. I am not sure i would enjoy a mature offspring, thats just not what the offspring is about.
I couldn’t agree more. Green Day fans and rock fans alike despised American Idiot. It is a pop record that changed Green Day from punk rock entrepeneurs to sell out pop-rock superstars. I think we should give the offspring credit for working this many years on a new record…and they aren’t trying to be mature. Hell, some of the band is going grey and theyre trying to embrace their fun punky roots by staying in the game. I think this album deserves way more credit than you gave it, because lets be honest—no body was expecting new Smash….most are happy and excited for more Offspring music peroid.
to back up what im sayin, read what people are saying on the imeem stream of the album:
http://www.imeem.com/theoffspring
theyre loving it man.
no offense, but every review I have read in the last few months on this site has either been C/D or A’s. Sometimes albums can be in the middle!
To each his own, I guess. However, I must say, The Offspring started out as very mature, very aggressive, and degraded itself into a pop faction, which in itself became self parodic. Most fans actually recognize this, too. The verdict on American Idiot, contrary to what you propose, is actually very positive and some consider it to be one of the best albums of the decade. But again, opinions.
Bergy, I don’t rate albums based on two or three sentence comments, either. Do people love it? Sure. Then again, if I were to base all opinion on public opinion, then what would be the point? And you must not be digging hard enough on this site, because the past few albums I’ve reviewed have been B’s.
In fact, it was a running joke for awhile.
Completely disagree with your “professional review”.
First of all, the production on this album really stands out, so I don’t know where that “C” is coming from (let alone a D for “Sound”), cause this is arguably their best produced record (listen to it on headphones).
Second, a C+ for vocals ?! Are you kidding ? The backup vocals haven’t sounded this good in years, and Dexter is actually singing in different tones on here, as well as the same tones used on the albums you actually liked, so I’m a bit confused by that.
Also, you complain about the “slower” songs, but you probably like “Dirty Magic” and “Amazed” to name just 2 previous slower Offspring tracks. And there is a difference between maturity and simply being older as musicians. Do you want them to be Lagwagon and put out the exact same album repeatedly ?
I’m not going to defend their past singles, but every one of their albums has had 4-5 wicked songs on them that are overlooked by the average listener because of a questionable (probably label insisted) first single.
And if you can’t get over the fact that dexter wrote a song about a girl being abused, then I feel sorry for you. Ignition and Smash already exist, it’s time to move on and enjoy this record for what it is - their most consistent release in over 10 years.
I have to completely disagree with you on this. This album is amazing. You can tell they spent a lot of time on this album, and they went way beyond just powerchords on this one. The songs are catchy, thought-out, and well written. You obviously need to get over the fact that they’ve evolved and they are talented enough to branch out a little from just straight-up punk songs. Sure, that’s what they’re known for and they’re excellent at writing punk, but they’re pretty damn good at experimenting too.
And that song “Kristy, Are You Doing Ok?” that you were bitching about being horrible and sappy; I think you should know that it was written about a girl he knew in high school that was raped/sexually abused. I bet you feel like an ass now.
Erock, I disagree on the fact that this is not a consistent album, by any means. The first five tracks, I’d agree with that statement, but the rest shift awkwardly into different styles that all don’t work together for me.
And Bob, no I don’t feel like an ass. The song still sounds exactly the way I described it, which is why I can’t stand the song, and I still stand by what I said. Given the lyrics, it doesn’t hold true instrumentally, and instead comes off as a cheap, overdone pop song, reminding me of the cheese and cliche mentality behind that fictional band, No Vacancy from School of Rock.
Look, I’m a huge fan of The Offspring. They’ve probably been one of my all time favorites for quite some time, and I agree Erock that many of their later albums have good songs on them, but overall? They’ve disappointed me with every release since Ixnay, and to a lesser extent Americana.
When I heard “Hammerhead”, I was psyched, and the end result didn’t match up to me. Do I want the same album? No. But, much like Blink-182, the act gets old at a certain age… and most bands are able to keep the same fan base by moving on, rather than trying to scale back… maturity. This hasn’t been the case and like I said in every comment, they started mature and devolved into a joke… why continue that way?
Lyrically, this is a lot more serious, that much we can all agree with, but on the whole, it’s very weak, especially given the time put behind it.
And I don’t get your cynicism behind “professional review.” Your attitude is a bit much.
I was just miffed that the wikipedia entry for this album only has this link under “Professional Reviews”, and I felt that your review was misrepresentative of said album.
That having been said, I am glad there is a forum here for those of us who really dug the album to air our grievances with your review, with the understanding that it is obviously your opinion.
As someone who grew tired of trying to defend the Offspring because of the (seemingly) standard 2-3 “Joke” songs per album from “Ixnay” on, I am very impressed with the amount of effort they’ve put into this album, especially since it doesn’t have any joke songs to pull it down (I don’t count “Shit is Fucked Up”).
Personally, I’d rather have 3 “Ballads” than 3 “Jokes”, and, as Bob was saying, we KNOW they can make a straight up punk album, they HAVE, they’ve now moved beyond that to simply writing good SONGS, and I respect that.
This dude can back up his review with all the technical terms and relate offspring to whatever crap he feels. Ok, so you didn’t like the album Mike. Thats your opinion, but you are being attacked here cause you went out of your way to say that this album was garbage in a really bullshit and roundabout manner.D in sound my ass. I have an opinion too. I’m gonna give you a D in your review for this album. You can say it wasn’t your cup o tea, but you may want to think twice about when you say a song may be the worst song they have ever done. This may be the worst review I have ever read. Sorry you suck mike.
phill, who are you trying to convince? Yourself or me?
And you’re getting a bit overemotional, don’t you think? It’s a review. Why should I think twice? I don’t just pull out random statements for no reason. I did think twice, actually to appease you, I thought three times over.
And the D+ is in instrumentation, which I don’t find impressive at all. Sorry.
Personally, what I don’t understand is why you would think any one on this site, particularly Mike, has an agenda.
Consequence of Sound is 100% independent and we allow comments so you can voice your thoughts on our reviews. But to mock, name call, or harass a reviewer is over the line, even for our standards. Personally, Mike is one of the greatest writers and musical minds I’ve ever encountered and I am honored to call him our Editor-in-Chief.
With that being said, if you think you can do better, than apply to write for us. We are always looking for new writers so if you think you can add/contribute a better point of view, show us what you got. Step up to the plate. Maybe then you’ll realize we have no agenda, nor a bone to pick with any band.
http://consequenceofsound.net/about/want-to-write/
I can proudly say that the Offspring have been my absolute favorite band since Americana. And yes, I love Smash and Ixnay as well, but I can also tell you that this album far surpasses them all. Listening to this album, I can only wonder how you can say they haven’t matured. There’s no Hit That. There’s no Pretty Fly. There’s just good punk/rock/pop music.
Half-Truism, You’re Gonna Go Far Kid, and Takes Me Nowhere stand out as outstanding upbeat songs, while Kristy Are You Doing Okay is much better than I was expecting. Worst song you’ve ever heard? That doesn’t even make sense.
I will agree that Rise and Fall sounds very similar to American Idiot, although I personally think that is a good thing. It has a catchy rhythm and beat and is a great way to finish off the album.
If there was a joke song on this CD, it would probably be Stuff is Messed Up. Although it is much better than any other joke song.
If I had to rate this CD, I would give it a 9 or 9.5 out of 10. A very good album and well worth the wait.
Worst song you’ve ever heard? That doesn’t even make sense.>>
You’re right.. probably because I didn’t write that. I said it’s the worst song they’ve put together. The lyrics don’t match the tone at all and vice versa.
Maybe on more spins, I’d enjoy it. However, people reading this should note, I’m not bashing this album, I gave them an average grade. I did consider this a step back, in what I assumed would be a step forward… too bad in assumptions.
Instrumentation seems the same to me as past releases, but I’ll agree that Half-Truism, You’re Gonna Go Far Kid, and Takes Me Nowhere are the stronger of the songs here.
Does everybody is in fucking denial or what? am a huge fan of offspring but this is the worst offspring’s album ever recorded my godness at this time i rhater think that this is just a joke and on june 17 dexter, greg noodles an pete are gonna laugh out of our asses and say you just got punk’d this is the thrue new offspring album. for god sake this gotta be a joke. isn’s it?
This is almost better than Maxim’s review of “Warpaint.” What an ass.
i think it’s a good album..far better than splinter and conspiracy of one….half truism, trust in you,your gonna go far kid,hammerhead, takes me nowhere, stuff is messes up are the best out there….fix you is kinda like their wake me up when september ends….the start of let hear it for rock bottom is like a slower welcome to paradise..and rise and fall is kinda like a american idiot…kristy is the weakest songs on the record..agree with you michael..but i’ll give it a b+
Dear phill…you know, you’re going out on a a limb here, not just with two “l”s in your name, no capitalization of the “P” in your name and not even capitalizing your beginning statements and all, but yes, as senior staff writer here on CoS, you sir step out of line.
“Thats your opinion, but you are being attacked here cause you went out of your way to say that this album was garbage in a really bullshit and roundabout manner.D in sound my ass. I have an opinion too. I’m gonna give you a D in your review for this album.”
You’re entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. I give you an F for fluff and failure. You as a music fan fail to see what we do here on this site. Alex reiterated everything we do with excellent precision and much like Teddy Roosevelt’s criticism of the United States government, it’s a right that music be criticized to put bands in a much larger perspective.
As they say in Pittsburgh, “If yinz don’t take the heats, gets outta da kitchen!”
I am so glad with this album. I just got it.
This is a well-written review, i enjoyed reding it, but I didn’t agree with the opinion.
After Splinter, I was worried that the guys couldn’t make a good album again. I was wrong. GET THIS ALBUM. If you want slightly easier than Smash, less poppish than Conspiracy of One, less sucky than Splinter and a perfect balance like Americana, this is for you. I personally liked Offspring’s ability to write an awesome radio-friendly song (Want You Bad) and the ability to write headbanging masterpieces (Americana and Staring At The Sun) and now they have returned to this former awesomness.
9.7 / 10. (Honestly, its that good, one of those albums where every song is good, a la Motion City Soundtrack’s “Even If It Kills Me” and Less Than Jake’s “In With The Out Crowd”.)
I LOVE THESE GUYS.
Later
Oh ja, please reply to my comment, if you agree or not.
Love from South Africa
Later
This is a really lame review. How can you give a C to the production?? Are you, dare I say it, deaf?
If you didn’t like the record, fine! BUT YOU’RE JUST TRASHING A BAND FOR NO REASON AT ALL. And this is clearly the best record they’ve put out. And I’d rather listen to this one than Smash - which is a neat record if you don’t like too much meat!
Trust In You sounds identical to some old shit, and I love it… You’re Gonna Go Far Kid is catchy and fun…Dance fucker dance… but ya, that last track is an identical rip off of American Idiot, with diff lyrics…I dont expect much from the Offspring now a days, they have some great albums in the past… When I see them I hope to hear those tracks… but this cd is solid and has some good tracks.
Hey, I think people should lay off the reviewer a bit, i mean, i don’t agree with his opinion or anything i love the album, but it was still written really well and at the end of the day its his opinion.
I actually love this album, i creamed my pants when i heard it. Well done to The Offspring!
I agree with both points of view here. Compared to Splinter, I think it’s better…however, compared to Smash, it doesn’t measure up. No Offspring album has. I don’t even bother comparing new Offspring to their older material (Smash, Ignition), because it’s never going to even come close. I chose to look at this album with the mentality of “if this was the first album that the band put out, could it earn them a decent following?” And I think if you look at it that way, you see that there are a lot of solid songs on this album.
I cant believe what Im hearing here. People are saying Kristy is a bad song? are you kidding? Im a long time offspring fan since ignition and i think it ranks up there as one of their top 5 songs theyve ever done. The lyrics are amazing, beautifuly put together and everything. And stuff is messed up really isnt a joke song. Might seem like it, but it talks about how the media sucks these days. I wouldnt count it as a joke song. If you do, you can count bad habit as a joke song too, because theyre practicly the same thing. First 9 songs are strong, very stong. Havnt heard a line up like that, that i can listen all the way through, since smash. Fix you would be the only weaker song, but i think rock bottom is another pretty strong song while rise and fall isnt bad either, its probably the second worth on the album.
Overall:Sound: A
Lyrics: A+
Production: A
Vocals: A
Overall: A
its definitly their best stuff since americana, but in my opinion, theyre best since ignition.
Mark, Ryan, and joe… great comments. Differing opinions, like I’ve said with every review I’ve done, is what makes this all so interesting. It’s good that The Offspring fanbase is behind the album. They probably need the push.
To me, I still consider it flawed. The beginning half had me going for awhile, but the latter half really falls flat. And as far as the complaints toward my grading in production? Well, the whole album sounds too glossy and polished, something that even Splinter didn’t have. A more raw sound might have actually “saved” some of the songs that didn’t click for me.
And regarding “Kristy”, I was put off by the sound. It’s a really serious song, but it comes off as so cheesy. That’s actually where I’d say the album starts dwindling.
Again, a C- isn’t a bad grade. It’s average. I consider this an average album. That’s three stars out of five… something I’m pretty sure most reviewers will be giving this.
Thanks for commenting after a breath or two. It’s pleasant. Haha.
i dunno. i would say its cheesy. But i do see what you mean in the chorus. But to me, the verses are beautiful. esp. the part after his ohhhs
i.e. ohhh coulds of time
I for one like the album a lot. It is a maturing process and that doesnt come overnight..especially from a band who became KNOWN for their silly songs over the last 8+ years. I for one applaud them for trying to break away from that. I cant stand most of those songs…especially “Pretty Fly” (God aweful!). Also, I agree with the others that pointed out that many punk rockers and Green Day fans loath AI. That album sucked and so do the majority of these new school punk rock acts…they should all be REQUIRED to listen to Pennywise, Strung Out, Offspring, Lagwagon, Rancid, Joykiller, NUFAN, Quicksand, and early 80’s punk before stepping in front of a crowd and claiming to carry on the legacy all these bands STILL carry. Oh..and “Kristy” is a good song for what it is..I half thought I was listening to Coldplays new album
no..give em a break..they are allowed! All you going to see them this summer are going to want that one song break between dancing to catch your breath! lol
oh…and
Overall:Sound: A
Lyrics: A+
Production: A
Vocals: A+
Overall: A
This review is an atrocity. ‘Rise and Fall’ has some of the best material these guys have written in nearly a decade.
I really wish you had the credentials to critique music, but your comparisons are weak and your judgements are completely baseless.
But don’t take my word for it, read the barrage of angry comments on your weakass review.
Hi Matt,
Well, now that we know what obsessed Offspring fans think, let’s turn the tables some:
http://www.punknews.org/article/29204
I’m not alone in my review, pal.
Bye Matt.
Just to recant and take back some of what I said:
You are a skilled writer and it was a well-written review. I guess our opinions on this album were so different that I found myself infuriated. I think it was the My Chemical Romance and Panic! at the Disco comparisons that truly sent me over the edge. At least you acknowledged that Offspring cemented some of these styles in the first place, but why compare YGGFK to Panic!? Just because he said the word ‘dance’? That sound in particular felt like a success to me, and I consider the album in whole to be a triumph.
You’re Gonna Go Far Kid
A lot Like Me
Trust In You
Takes Me Nowhere
These songs are going to last a long time in my playlist. I wasn’t expecting an album quite this good, so it pleases me to be able to say that The Offspring have proven that they haven’t lost their touch.
I will agree on one thing though…’Kristy’ walks a fine line between serious and cheesy. Catchy as it is, I still can’t decide if I like it or not.
Matt,
I compared the song to Panic! because that’s what it sounds like instrumentally. The drum beat and the poppy click it goes off of is very similar to that Panic!/Fall Out Boy sound. And “Half Truism” is one of the best tracks here, but that chorus sounds very My Chemical Romance (think “Helena).
Always accept comments, man. No problems.
Trust me, I get heated too… usually in my boxers, in the morning, when I’m reading my favorite bands getting .01s on Pitchfork.
It’s all relative.
i think as a band you can grow up and all that shit but you also gotta keep the conection that drag the fans i didn’t wait almost 5 years to hear this kind of music from offspring, the pieces don’t matches is like hearing james blunt on the radio while you are watching a video on tv of manowar with no volume. allmost surreal, just don’t get it, soy slowly so death not the same energy. not noodles stylem not great Greg K bass kick ass solos. am still gonna be a huge offspring fan, oh my god i just don’t get it, not a word, so sad.
I am glad that this was mainly sorted out. Everyone has their own opinions, but I think we should all be happy the Offspring are still making music. I still feel like the album deserved a better grade, but we will have to just wait and see what the masses think. Hoepfully they sound good at Virgin fest!
Mike and Alex we all appreciate this site alot, I know I do. I check it daily and has become my go-to site for music news. And Mike your writing style is great, albeit a bit pretentious high style, but you def know your music history.
I found it curious how Coldplay, “the best band in the world,” got such a great review. However, I have not heard the entire album but I am hopeful it lives up to the hype.
For the record, I do not know a single person that knows anything about music who liked American Idiot.
Thanks bergy. It’s funny you mention Virgin Fest.. I argued consistently for days on the merit of The Offspring there with concertgoers who considered them “has beens.” So, that should make you happy.
I’m happy they’re making music, too. If you read the review, you’ll see I appreciate a lot of the music here. I’m lost on where people consider me bashing, especially if I’m giving supporting evidence.
It’s funny you mention the Coldplay review. It’s actually seen quite the similar response to this.
Anyhow, good to be on base with you. As far as American Idiot goes, check out the reviews and look at the touring data and the band’s success, obviously people were out there for it. And with good reason.. the album is consistent and great.
But that’s another argument, altogether.
See ya soon!
I haven’t heard that Kristy song yet, but it has me worried already. Flashbacks to proms with that Creed song “Arms Wide Open.” Millions of high school girls singing and dancing the night away to a song about getting knocked up, or at least that’s what we were later told it was about.
Now, we’re going to have a nation full of Kristys, Kristies, and Kristens all saying, “Dexter is singing about me! This is my song.” It’s the Carly Simon Complex, I suppose, and once again, the content doesn’t match up. Dexter, please make a public service announcement! I know three Kristys, and I just won’t be able to take it.
mm
American Idiot MAY have been a commercial success within a certain MTV demorgraphic but it was widely panned by the punk rock “group” that Green Day has associated themselves with. I knew there was a problem when my 8 year old niece (whom was obsessed with Britney and N’Sync) came home with a Green Day shirt. The reason AI was a success was the subject matter it provided..it was a high powered attack on the establishment and I f#$% you to the suburban living “red states”. When you talk about success of touring and critical reviews thats all crap. I never bought an album cause some knob at Rolling Stone or Spin gave it 5 stars. It was simply an album that came out at the right time…just like Springsteens “The Rising” and U2’s “All You Cant Leave Behind”
The consensus on the punknews.org forums that you linked to wasn’t exactly scathing. Actually, most of them seemed to like the album more than you did, ironically enough.
Anyway, I think I’ll save some venom for the impending “2.7″ pitchfork review (if we’re lucky). Like you said, that’s usually when I get the most worked up anyway. “Oh, this band’s on a major label ? 1.7″, “Whoa, mindless white noise and screeching ?! 9.6 !!”. Weak.
This album is great! Better than SPlinter, Co1 and Americana!
Maybe this album if played by Green day could rated a , 5 stars, or 10.
You know, the review really IS good! It’s well written and every statement in there is explained or proven. And having heard the album I can fully understand what the reviewer has written and why.
Yet, the conclusion I draw is contrary: I LOVE THE ALBUM!!
It’s because of the expectations that I put into that band: Would I want music which is demanding or difficult, The Offspring were just the last band I’d listen to. I mean I’ve been a huge fan for years and will be for as long as they’re around. But still: You listen to their songs over and over again because they stay in your mind, because they’re just cool and not because it’s the elaborate music ever written!
So I agree for instance that “Kristy” is very poppy and cheesy but why not? It still is a lovely song and a nice tune. And it’s a great deal better than most of today’s pop songs!!
And what’s wrong with sing along choruses? Nothing (in MY opinion)
And it’s true: the sound is polished and probably a little much so, but it sounds good to me and that’s what counts! (and it’s not as exaggerated as with groups like My Chemical Romance or Simple Plan by the way)
Having read the review I know for sure that I’m gonna buy the album and that I’m gonna like it!
You know, that’s why I read reviews: good ones (like that one) always tell you all you need to know! You just have to read beyond the opinion of the reviewer and not condemn him for it…
Anyway, have fun with the record!!
haha this review made me laugh, professional my arse hahahaha
Guys, honestly..I found only 2 good songs on this album which are Hammerhead and Half-Truism. Rest are throwaways. Rise and Fall song sounds like a cheaper version of American Idiot. Fix You like Wake me up.. Nothingtown is I Want You bad.. Trust in You sounds like Smash. A Lot Like Me is Linkin Parks What I’ve done. Who wants to listen to cheaper versions of these songs? This album is a waste of money! They should’ve thrown 2 singles and thats it. I love the Offspring since their first self titled, but this is a big disappointment. So I pretty much agree with the reviewer. Dont judge the album because its The Offspring (every thing they do has to be great ?) and rate the whole album for being amazing after it having 3 good songs on it. We should get a better album out of em.
maxush, i read that exact review on a different website….
idk y you would go around copy and pasting the same review but what ever you want to do is ok i guess
And i read some more reviews, and they keep saying that the album is too different and branches off too much. And the new linkin park album doesnt? In my opinion it does more. But we can still give it good reviews, dont worry.
Maxush, thanks for the reply. I didn’t even think of it, but you’re right, “A Lot Like Me” does bear striking resemblance to “What I’ve Done”, even the chorus.
idk y you would go around copy and pasting the same review but what ever you want to do is ok i guess>>>
joe, most of the time if I see something on the web that I’ve commented on previously somewhere else, I’ll do the same thing. It’s logical. Who wants to type up the same comments again?
And he’s not arguing against giving them good reviews, just like I’m not, but he is talking about blind fanaticism, which I think happens to be the case with 50% of these comments here.
Maxush, you forgot about “You’re Gonna Go Far Kid” which is by far my fav track off the album. Haven’t felt like that about an Offspring song since Gotta Get Away.
And mike, I think it’s less about the blind fanatacism then it is about the relief that they didn’t put out “Conspiracy of One” part 2. I think we can all agree that would have been far worse
Erock, I’ll agree. However, to be honest, I actually enjoyed the hell out of Conspiracy of One when I was in high school, mainly songs like “Special Delivery” or “Come Out Swinging”, though I still to this day hate “Original Prankster”, just like I hated “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)”. They just really discredited the band, in my opinion.
“You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” still sounds like Fall Out Boy and Panic! to me, but like I said in the review, it is saved by that Offspring edge, and it’s been stuck in my head all day, too. “Gone Away” like heights? Hell no. That’s my favorite song from this band to this day and one of the reasons why I still even care about this band. The ending when Holland breaks down and screams still gets me, even after a decade.
Anyway, what kills this album still is that second half. It’s like they stopped caring. And I also wish I had never watched that God forsaken music video for “Hammerhead” because now I can’t stop thinking about that video’s PS1-styled graphics and the missed-the-mark imagery. But, that’s just my fault. Hah.
Like Splinter (which actually has some solid songs and better production style than this, in my book), I’ll salvage some songs from this release, but for the most part, this is still such a disappointment to me.
Really, they should just put out the best of this album and splinter as an album, that one would be wicked
You’re gonna go far kid does not sound like Fall Out Girl or Panic!. If anything, they stole their style from the poppy side of the offspring!!!
have you guys ever read The Emperor’s New Clothes? that tale where the emperor is naked and everybody see him fully clothed only cuz they all are in denial? well i think this is the case, people love guns n’ roses they drop bad albumes, people loves metallica, they droped bad albums, examples of great bands bad records is endless so way you just can admit that offspring drop a bad record? how the hell can you guys say that this one is way better than splinter? only da hui has more energy than 5 songs of the new album, and that’s what offspring really are a fuckind band that make god fast full energy songs. so we gotta just pretend that everything is normal? no way, that record doesn’t sound like offspring, doesn’t feel like offsprig, doesn’t smell like offspring, but Unfortunely it’s offspring and that is just the big disappointment. i know that’s the Common felling… so let’s wait another 5 years and see what happens.
Touche, Erock. Touche.
I can see where people may think certain songs resemble certain bands but to be honest its still the offspring and these songs are great ( although i honestly dont like ‘kirsty’ ) especialy the first 5 or 6 pack a real punch. In my opinion i think this album is one of there bests and i realy enjoyed it. I think the review is a bit harsh but thats just the reviewers opinion it does annoy me when large groups of people gte annoyed when on eperson doesnt like the album i mean aslong as you like who cares. 8.5/10 for the album 10/10 for the first 5 because there realy good especially ‘half truism’
I totally agree with you Michael about the end of the album. I usually skip the last couple songs because the title track reminds me too much of “American Idiot” and the intro to “Let’s Hear it For Rock Bottom” is almost a direct rip on Good Charlotte - “The Festival Song”. I was reading some other reviews about it and they’re all about the same as yours so I can’t really knock you for having the same opinion as pretty much every other reviewer. But I will point out that while you praised Green Day for “American Idiot”, “Rage and Grace” is a far more subtle rip off of “American Idiot” than “Bran Stew” was of Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4″. I think at some point in a bands career, at least one of their songs ends up sounding like another bands song just because of what’s popular at the moment. But I guess the real test of how good this album is will come on June 17th when it hits stores.
is there any chance of you reviewing the previous albums?
One point, in Nothingtown if The Offspring are ripping off anyone it’s themselves ie. “Want you Bad,” maybe you should quit looking for the Green Day comparisons because The Offspring had the sheer gall to make a name for themselves at the same time
I know it’s pointless to argue about this on the internet of all places, but i can’t help but feel in a lot of reviewers hearts this album was doomed to get a positive review merely because of Splinter and the complete lack of hype around it
This album is split down the middle, for me.
On the one hand I’m hearing familiar riffs from Noodles that are always a pleasure to listen to, and the track ‘Shit Is Fucked Up’ honestly made me laugh my ass off (in a good way) towards the end with a fast-paced ass-reaming of corporate America (think of Americana on hyper-drive).
On the other, the overall tone is both generic and confusing. They try to rock you with the first half, and then it drifts into a bad pop/punk stereotype.
As a whole, it’s digestible and not bad compared to Splinter, but I can’t deny the obvious - after hearing Hammerhead, and with all of the hype and time it took to get this release, it’s a bit of a let-down.
And for the record, I give Holland credit for Kristy, Are You Doin’ Okay? for it’s meaning and good intent…but we all know what good intentions do.
Kudos on the attempt, but I think it could have been better.
The person who wrote this review is a total idiot
the album goes back towards the band’s more popular days with sounds closer to that of smash and ixnay
Basing an album review on a comparison with Greenday.
Fire this bastard.
p.s. greenday blows
Well, coming from a guy named “Snake”, I better listen.
Are you Kurt Russell or do you know him?
;p
yeah, my real name is snake, that makes fucking sense
This album is not punk enough!! Never Mind The Bollocks sounded better than this barely audible piece of pop, hence the bad sound quality.
I agree with you all the way Michael, the Offspring should not have tried to take a step forward and be anyway creative, it defies everything punk!!!!! Sacrilege I say sacrilege!!!!
Trupunx for ever!!!
agree with the review. the new album reminds me of weezer’s new album. amazing first single, a couple good songs, and then the rest are nothing short of disappointing. fix you is definitely the worst song on there. his super strained voice is annoying and it rips off chasing cars by snow patrol. honestly, the hype choked, and the album as a whole is a huge let down. if you want to listen to bands that havn’t choked after making a bunch of albums, try radiohead, sigur ros, red hot chili peppers, beck, or the white stripes. they never seem to disappoint.
Yeah, I think the consensus is starting to sway that way, at least now it is.
now I think about it, it’s actually is a very good album, it has its flaws but still it’s the best thing they’ve done since Ixnay or maybe Americana. it takes quite a few times to listen to, but i think it defied my original thoughts on it. it shows all different mood states and so forth, while critiquing society, which is what i except for a good offspring record.
sorry I’ve changed my mind, I recommend you to listen to it again Michael, I can’t stop listening to it now. I know how you feel, it’s how I thought of the album until I re-listened to it a few times.
Nice! Glad you feel that way, David. However, I actually like it less now. Splinter’s actually feeling better now. This album is just a misfire, in my book. The second half is so bland still.
alright ..
the resemblance of some of the songs to others is only normal .. i dont think dexter just sat there contimplating what would make a good rip off .. and i could point out other resemblences in all the other songs if u want, offspring’s songs and non-offsprings songs. it all depends on what you are listening to round the time u write the song ..
now i like this album,it’s no smash, but this actually makes it all the better .. coz u know smash was and still is great and one of my favotrite of all time .. but i still wanna hear some new shit ..
i love the first half its absolutely amzing and actually measures up to their old stuff, and “stuff is messed up” is pretty good and doesn’t sound like a joke song, though i personally enjoy these joke songs especially the offspring’s joke songs ..
now kristy is decent and the whole album would have been five stars if “Rise and Fall, Nothingtown and Fix you” weren’t there, coz it would be just perfect and got it all if it had “Let’s hear it for rock bottom” as the last song ..
oh and i think the production is pretty good too ..
Review was well done, Michael. I disagree that Half-Truism sounds emo. I find it has a lot more of that “edge” that you accredited to You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid.
(with the exception of the last few songs)
Dexter has said the album is part experimental, part standard Offspring, and it is just that. The ballads don’t work for me either, but it is different and that’s what they were going for. I still can’t figure out what the hell is up with Fix You…awful. Holland’ vocal style doesn’t suit that kind of song at all! Overall I enjoy the sound of the album though
Even though I do not agree with a lot of it , I must give you credit for writing a good review. It demonstrates your opinion very well so good job man
I’ve got to disagree with you Michael about the Offspring/Greenday comparison section. I’d say both became more mainstream after their punk years 1994-97, Greenday were always seen by many fellow punk bands around them as “poster boys” of punk rock. because they became very commercial and some might say -emo. they did mature to a degree in american idiot, but they were VERY poppy and very MAINSTREAM at that time. Now you’re probably think why I am going on about Greenday, when The Offspring produced very poppy/mainstream singles themselves. Well it’s because they were just that - singles. They didn’t excessively put themselves out there in the world of pop like Greenday did; some may disagree, though they weren’t on the cover of every teen magazine. Sure they produced poppy summer singles, but their punk edge was still there to the rest of the tracks on those albums. The Offspring have always been a more underground band, even when they’re in the mainstream. Maturity is something that Offspring have kept off until now, Greenday attempted to succeed with some maturity. They did, but it was swathed in pop. Hopefully this wont be…..
this asshole rated the album 50%
personally I would rate it 90% but
an unbiased fair rating is 70-80%
50% is just insanely biased and lack of judgement
Grow up.
@ wtf:
First off, our writers are not assholes, and any judgment passed onto anything we review is 100% unbiased.
Secondly, the fact you would rate it 90% is based on your personal opinion. That does not stand against the general consensus of what is deemed a “public opinion.” Read this site’s comments alone and you’ll see that many of the comments not only support Mike’s review, but praise him for saying things that most people tend to miss. You may want to read more after this.
Thirdly, an unbiased review rating is not necessarily 70%-80%. Go read both my Protest The Hero and Black Mountain album reviews. I never heard anything from these bands until early this year. Protest The Hero made a great album; Black Mountain made an average album. How’s that for bias?
Lastly, you say that 50% of this review is based on insanity and/or lack of judgment. You sir fail to see the reasonings behind Roffman’s review and frankly, I agree with Mike. The Offspring have consistently been on the wrong end of the gene pool the past few years. How can a band come out with an explosion album such as “Smash” ranging with topics from school violence, self-esteem, bad anger habits and the works, to a gutteral, declining state of maturity with songs such as “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)” or “Original Prankster”? Excuse me, but after reading this review and honestly admitting not to listening to a single note of this album, I can rest assured that given Mike’s words, thoughts and feelings, this album fails to revive them from the past. Get a true view of the world and quit being so blinded. Seriously!
Jun 10th, 2008 at 11:36 am
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