The Offspring - Americana (Columbia)

The Offspring’s saving grace is that its music (at least in the studio) is varied and colorful enough to counterbalance the one-note sneer that dominates its worldview. Over the past 10 years or so the Orange County outfit has perfected its blend of quirky pop, gnarly punk, and unabashed metalismo, providing a welcome break from the aerobic monotony of the contemporary hardcore set.

With its fifth album, the Offspring incorporates a rock and roll history lesson of sorts into the usual malcontent mixture via some choice stylistic references. Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) opens with the mock Teutonic intro from Def Leppard’s "Rock of Ages," then flares into a raucous affair that somehow cheers and jeers the Beastie Boys in one fell swoop. Likewise, the Middle Eastern flourishes and epic sprawl of "Pay the Man" are as much a smart-ass exaggeration as a celebration of the Doors. The album’s standout track is an acerbic resurrection of the oft-parodied Morris Albert schmaltzfest, "Feelings." With a little lyrical renovation and massive doses of rawk, it’s almost as riotous as Sid Vicious’ unforgettable rendering of "My Way."

On last year’s Ixnay on the Hombre, the Offspring seemed to be slumming -- or at least slumming more flagrantly than usual -- in snot-nosed sarcasm. This time out the quartet has sharpened its sardonic edge, yet it still can’t quite bridge the gap from heavy sarcasm to serious satire. For all the heartfelt venom it spews, these sentiments don’t betray a shred of real insight, even when the group skewers the things that probably hit closest to home (relationships, "The American Dream," voice mail). Sure they mean it, maaaaan, but what they mean (outside of the usual suburban ennui) remains a mystery.

By Sandy Masuo, from Allstar - November, 1998