Review Summary: Cruising California In A Wheelchair
Album Expectation Rating
Conspiracy Of One (2000) Americana Part 2 :/
Splinter (2003) Fast Rocking Music :)
Rise And Fall (2008) Splinter Part 2 :(
Days Go By (2012) Weak Mainstream Music ?
The Offspring Are On This Record:
Dexter Holland, Vocals
Noodles, Lead Guitar
Greg K, Bass Guitar
Pete Parada, Drums
It's not hard to beat a poor album after four years and it's just lazy for said album not to be a classic. The Offspring fail to make 'Days Go By' Memorable - borrowing ideas from Rise Against and The Foo Fighters. The identity crisis still rages on as fans wish for a punk album but are destroyed by something quite mainstream.
Fortunately for the Offspring, They mix the two.
SECTION 1 - THE FUTURE IS BLEAK - RATING: 3/5
The first section of the album follows the mainstream route and kicks off with five songs that fail to spark the album to light. 'The Future Is Now' and 'Secrets From The Underground' are hard hitting tracks but fall flat on thier face lyrically whilst the upcoming trio 'Days go By' 'Turning into You' 'Hurting As One' Have a certain spirit, gently lifting the album back on it's feet. We are welcomed by the 'Go!' of Dexter Holland on the disappointing title track but the other two songs sound more like the original Offspring. Rebellious nature ensues as the band rant against turning into someone else... Ironic, Is it not?
SECTION 2 - THIS IS ALL A JOKE - RATING: 2/5
The second section crashes and burns with the hollow ballad 'All I have Left Is You' one thing is for sure, Kristy wouldn't be happy. Punk bands succeed when they comb the issues covered by thier genre (Hatred, Rebellion and Politics) But the Offspring seem determined to break that cycle. The ballad is weak, boring and covers five minutes of important listening time. 'Cruising California' is an old band singing about bumping and grinding! Come on guys, act your age. but seriously, I was looking forward to the next Joke song. 'Pretty Fly' and 'Original Prankster' were a breath of fresh air on earlier albums. But 'Cruising California' is almost painful in comparison, and actually not all that funny. This Section is indeed all a Joke.
SECTION 3 - A DASH OF DIRTY MAGIC - RATING 4/5
The final section is the strongest, punkiest offering The band have put out since 2003's Splinter. Featuring the experimental 'O.C Guns' and the classic 'Dirty Magic' Both songs sound well polished and performed, Both are catchy and both feature pretty damn good lyrics. The Last Three songs pump dancing fumes and adrenaline into the album - which was very much needed at the beginning as the Offspring cover ground and play to thier cards.
The Offspring have released something of a second splinter (one of which I expected four years ago) The mainstream/poppier side of the album almost ruins thier ambition and driving force going into the Record. The Punk/Rockier side keeps 'Days Go By' Afloat however and lets some fun ideas seep into the closing tracks.
Days Go By, But that may no longer be a bad thing.
