The Offspring Album: “Ixnay on the Hombre”

When I'm listening to this perfect album I sure am. A while ago, I thought Smash was the best Offspring CD. Boy was I wrong! This album is a heck of alot better than Smash. It shows raw power and talent, meaningful lyrics in a world where good lyrics are hard to find, and the Offspring have a style all their own. Not too poppy as with, say Blink 182, or not too hardcore, for example Pennywise. This album contains may of their hits, such as "All I Want" and "Gone Away", both of which are AMAZING songs. But to tell you the truth, every song is good. The stand-outs on this album are "The Meaning Of Life", a raw, blazingly fast punk song, "Gone Away", one of the most powerful songs since Pearl Jam's "Black", "Way Down The Line", a great song that asks the question, will we end up like our parents?, and "Cool To Hate", a funny song about somebody who hates EVERYTHING from jocks to Doc Martens. The only sub-par cut on this record is "Don't Pick It Up", a ska-ish song minus the brass section. It just doesn't fit in with the whole feeling of the album. If you are a newer Offspring fan, and have picked up Conspiracy Of One, you will find that this album VERY closely resembles it. The only thing is, nothing matches this album. Perfection. Pure perfection. Do yourself a favor; grab a few dollars and go pick up this totally under-rated gem. Y ou will not be dissapointed

Face it, Offspring isn't exactly Bad Religion, Black Flag, or Dead Kennedys. But with this album beginning with a PSA by Jello Biafra (DK), you know that they must have something special going on. This is my favorite Offspring CD, and I really think it is a cut above their other albums. They take the songs here a bit more seriously, lyrically; balanced with a wonderful musical intensity that surpasses "Smash", and wasn't quite matched in "Americana".

The highlight of the CD for me was "Gone Away", a song about loss. This song is one of the most personal and powerful songs ever written. I saw them perform it live at the Benefit for Dennis Dennal (of Social Distortion), and saw several people in the crowd whipping the tears from their eyes. The CD is worth it for this song alone... in fact, that song is why I bought the CD. To my pleasure, not only was the rest of the CD not a disappointment, but it surpassed all expectation.

I am really bothered by the weakness of music lately, and it's nice to have Offspring around. Though I am a lover of the harder/political punk, it's nice to see a band that doesn't need to have an issue 100% of the time. The Offspring are having fun. Yet, in that fun the "punk rock social consciousness" message still gets through in a subtle way...once you dig deeper, past the radio hits. This applies to all of their CDs. Though Offspring is a lighter punk band, they aren't weak (a weak band is Blink182...which I can't believe are even allowed to pretend that they're punk...more like Backstreet Boys meet Weezer, but I digress...).

If you like this CD, may I please recommend that for your next step into the punk world, try "Stranger than Fiction" and "Generator" by Bad Religion. If you like those, then "Get Some, Go Again" and "Life Time" by the Rollins Band. Once you have these CD's you'll know where to go from there. ("Fruits and Veggies" by Dead Kennedys and "Damaged" by Black Flag)

Each Offspring album is a bit different in its own small way. Although, this is the one probably most like their breakthrough masterpiece Smash. If you enjoyed Smash a lot, like I did, then this should be the next in line for you to try out. Not saying that their newer stuff is somehow not as good, they just have a slightly different sound that the earlier two. This follow up just shows how The Offspring are keeping their punk rock style sound strong with each release. It's also a really good follow up album. My favorite tracks are probably "Gone Away", "I Choose", "Amazed", and "Me & My Old Lady". Here's everything else rated...

2. The Meaning Of Life - 9.5/10

3. Mota - 9/10

4. Me & My Old Lady - 10/10

5. Cool To Hate - 10/10

6. Leave It Behind - 8.5/10

7. Gone Away - 10/10

8. I Choose - 10/10

10. All I Want - 9/10

11. Way Down The Line - 7.5/10

12. Don't Pick It Up - 9/10

13. Amazed - 10/10

14. Change The World - 10/10

Overall: 93% A-

It's just another solid release from The Offspring. If you enjoyed Smash you will probably enjoy this as well. It's just another good release by a pretty awesome punk rock band.

The Offspring took a bit of heat for signing to a major label in 96 after the breakthrough success of their genius album "Smash".But the truth is, they didnt lose any edge at that point (the loss of edge came after this album with that dissapointing "Americana" album).This album may not be as good as Smash or Ignition, but the songs have more meaning behind them.There is true pain expressed in the lyrics of "Gone Away".The other great songs on this album have lyrics about being yourself and being an individual."All I Want","Leave It Behind","The Meaning of Life", and "Amazed" are great songs with great lyrics.Those songs are some of Offspring's best ever.The songs talk about teenage problems and the words on this album and the other two great Offspring albums "Smash" and "Ignition" can really help you deal with your problems.I highly recommend that you get this album and the other two that i mentioned, all of them are extremely good albums.But however dont be fooled, the albums "The Offspring" and "Americana" are nothing compared to these other three albums.Those two albums lack meaningful lyrics and good punk rock music.So just buy "Smash", "Ignition", and "Ixnay on the Hombre" because they are the best of the best.

which is saying a lot, because they are all amazing..

1. Disclaimer: intro