artist: the offspring
album: conspiracy of one
label: columbia
rating: 6.5/10

The Offspring sat in their mansions plotting and planning a good marketing scheme for their newest release. First they wanted to offer their entire album ahead of release on their website for download. Their label, Columbia, nixed that idea quickly. Then they offered a million-dollar prize to one lucky fan who downloads their latest single, "Original Prankster".

Maybe it was the major label deal that was the seeming beginning of the end. Their marketing is rooted in punk, yet they can't do whatever they fancy. Their songs are rooted in punk, but they can't do whatever they fancy. It's politics and the never-ending quest for a hit single that will always be hanging over their heads now that they signed a major label deal. Come Out And Play was their pinnacle. Sure, after that album they had a few radio hits, but nothing as amazing as from their first two Epitaph releases. Americana was sappy and so radio friendly. With a nice rip off of the Beatles "Ob La Di" and that white boy song, you just can't see the old in the new.

"Dammit, I Changed Again" and "Come Out Swinging" aren't as cheerful and work back toward the group's punkish roots, but they also like the syrupy flavored tracks like "One Fine Day". It's hard to see in what direction the Offspring are going. Dexter Holland seems to have lost a bit of soul. I liked it when it sounded as if his voice was going to break at any second. Now it seems Pro Tools are working that voice to pitch perfection. That isn't what punk's about. That's what pop radio wants to hear.

By Rae Gun, from Hip Online - November 28th, 2000