The Offspring Album: “Conspiracy of One”

Wow is all that needs to be said. The Offspring are back with their latest album, released yesterday November 14th, on Columbia Records. Some critics consider the Offspring as "just another punk rock band", playing fast music with no rhythm. Titled Conspiracy Of One, this album brought back many of the groups rhythms from earlier years. Listening to Conspiracy Of One brought back memories of older Offspring such as the songs "Kick Him When He's Down" from Ignition and "I Choose" from Ixnay On The Hombre. Both of these songs have a catchy rhythm weaved into the band's punk flow, which they have done once again in many songs on the new album. The first song released off the album was "Original Prankster". It is a little different from the band's punk style by forming a swing-type beat instead. The congas and cowbells give the song a southern flavor. Lead singer Dexter Holland and the rest of The Offspring had originally decided to put the new album up on their website in mp3 form so everyone could download the songs before the CD came out. This plan was changed, and the band eventually just kept "Original Prankster" on the site and encouraged everyone to download it. In showing their gratitude for their fans, The Offspring decided to give away one million dollars of their own money to one lucky fan who had downloaded the single. After picking 4 finalists last week, the band was a guest on MTV's Total Request Live yesterday to give away the money. Keep an eye out for the music video, which has already debuted on MTV. Many albums have one or two featured songs with fillers in between. Conspiracy Of One is not one of these albums. When listening to the album, it's almost surprising that each song is as good or better than the one before it, making this arguably the best Offspring album yet. There are quite a few upbeat signature Offspring songs such as "Want You Bad" and "Dammit, I Changed Again". Along with these two and "Original Prankster", the opening song, "Come Out Swinging", and "Million Miles Away" round out the first five tracks. It's one upbeat song after the other which gives a great start to the album. Hardcore Offspring fans, these are songs you have to hear. With Holland's trademark chord-changing chants to accompany the fast paced rhythms, it's hard not to get into the song. Then there are other songs such as "Living In Chaos" and "Denial Revisited" that slow it down a little, but capture you with great rhythm and lyrics, similar to "Gone Away" from Ixnay On The Hombre. If there had to be a weak song on the record, "Vultures" would be it. It doesn't grasp the listener as much as the other tracks do, although it is still a good song that can grow on you. On all albums, there is one song that seems to stand out from the rest. Sometimes it is the first single, but often it is not. With Conspiracy Of One having so many great songs, one might think it would be hard to choose the "best" song. However, the one that did emerge as arguably the best song on the album was "One Fine Day". With its fast guitar riffs, super-catchy rhythm and amazing chorus, it depicts The Offspring to a "T". In a way, it resembles "The Kids Aren't Alright" from Americana, yet is a better overall song. A key feature about this album is that it never gets boring. You'll find yourself wanting to listen to it again and again. But first, you'll have to go out and get it.

First of all I want to say that I bought this CD less than a week ago and I've listend to it every day since at least twice a day - and still I haven't had enough. When you compare this CD to Americana I'm pretty sure that Conspiracy Of One is better although I was expecting another track like Pay The Man (which is my favourite song from Americana). Conspiracy Of One is much more serious and sufisticated. the songs (1-10):

Intro - not a song

Come Out Swinging - 10 (great lyrics and music)

Original Prankster - 7 (not enough diversity with the music)

Want You Bad - 7.5 (qute)

Million Miles Away - 9 (Good song)

Dammit, I Changed Again - 9.5 (A good offspring-style song)

Living In Chaos - 10 (Great music)

Special Delivery - 9 (takes time to understand)

One Fine Day - 7 (I especially like the part before the last chorus)

All Along - (not sure yet but it's pretty good)

Daniel, Revisited - 9.5 (takes time to understand)

Vultures - 9 (sounds like Nirvana only better)

Conspiracy Of One - 10 (I was a little disappointed at first but it's a great song with deep meanings which I haven't fully understood yet)

Huck It(Bonus Track) - 9

Concpiracy Of One brings offspring back on track after Americana. I don't know if it's the best Offspring album but it's good and different and that's what important. Most of the lyrics r as usual great and meaningful.

What a dissapointment. I'm a big Offspring fan but I'm not into this new sound at all. I could tolerate Americana, but this is no good. The band got way too poppy. The only good songs on it are Want You Bad and Million Miles Away because they have a little bit of their old-school feel. If you like stuff like Sum 41, Blink 182 and Wheetus then you'll probably like this. But if you're into real punk music like the band's early days, don't buy this.

When i heard the first single release from this album (Original prankster), i thought that it would be more of the same as it sounded like Pretty Fly For A White Guy. Upon listening to the album when it was released i couldnt have been more wrong. The Offspring havent gone for radio-friendly tracks they have gone back to their roots and produced an album of bangin tracks that any Offspring fan would be proud of. Lets hope they get more credibility this time around.

I am one of those that believes Americana was a tragic turn towards the pop side of music. Conspiracy of One (Co1) manages to dig themselves out of their recently dug hole only in part. It has a number of songs that are remeniscant of the older albums and a few newer sounding songs. It still has its share of pop-like tracks which i generally consider to be sub-par. Here is my breakdown of the songs.

Intro 1/10. Short. Only serves to start the CD. It isnt interesting like the intros on Smash and Ixnay.

Come out Swinging 10/10. I really like this song. It is fast paced and energetic which goes with the slightly combative lyrics quite well.

Original Prankster 2/10. Ugh. This has "Im a wannabe rapper" written all over it. Some may like it but I would rather listen to vanilla ice.

Want you Bad 8/10. A fairly funny song, at least for the first few times its heard. Its novelty has worn off for me but the music of it is good enough to earn the song an 8.

Million Miles Away 9/10. Good song with a moderately fast beat/melody.

Damnit I changed Again 8/10. Even after reading the lyrics, I havnt a clue what this song is about. Im sure its about changing but whether that means clothes, personalities or what, i dont know. Lyrics aside, the music is a well constructed and fairly fast song.

Living in Chaos 8/10. Atypical in terms of the melody. It is definitely a radical change from the usual fast paced tracks but it is not really directed at a pop audience. The music is quite nice to listen to with some nifty bass and guitar lines.

Special Delivery 5/10. I dont care for this one that much. The music and lyrics paint a picture of an eerie scene but i find it rather uninteresting after hearing it a few times.

One Fine Day 6/10. A song about drinking, watching sports, and rioting. Ok song but far from being a classic.

All Along 7/10. Fast paced song. Lyrics are a bit interesting but the melodies are quite repetative. Fortunately, its only 1:38 long so the repatitions arent to much.

Denial Revisited 8/10. Slow song aparrently about a guy who doesnt want to admit that its over between him and his significant other. Its a nice break from the faster songs but it doesnt match up with older slow songs such as "Gotta Get Away".

Vultures 7/10. Another slow one. Im not sure what the words of this song mean. The style of this song is nice with a build up to the chorus and then a drop off back to the original mellow.

Conspiracy of One 8/10. A nice fast song with apocalyptic drawings featured in the cd case insert. I like the song but the words of the song need to be expanded on instead of repeated as they are.

Huck it 8/10. I dont know if i got some special CD since i bought Co1 in Germany but I have an extra track "Huck It". Its a good fast paced song, but it certainly isnt in my top 10 list of all time songs.

Overal, the CD is a step up from Americana. It has more good songs and less cheesy disposable songs. Could be better but i think it was worth the money i spent on it.