Americana - Offspring

"Americana" came in 1998 as the fifth album from the Punk Rock band The Offspring (whose debut had come nine years earlier). As the one which would succeed it ("Conspiracy Of One") and their third ("Smash") it stood as one of the Dexter Holland-led band's most popular records, and was the Pop breakthrough for the act as they dropped "Pretty Fly", amongst a few other successful singles. 1. "Welcome" (Intro) 2. "Have You Ever?" After a short introduction, you find that here they dive straight into things here, and I have to say that it didn't really come out with results anywhere ...  Read the complete review

The Offspring really hit the big time in the UK with this album ‘Americana’. Certainly I had not heard of them till then, and the single ‘Pretty Fly’ was the first I ever heard of the America punk rockers. This album was released a few years back by the foursome, and really set them up as one of the CD I could not stop playing. Basically the Offspring are a punk band, toned down. Their music is alive, consisting of strong lead guitars and bass and drums giving a solid backing. The album consist of 12 music tracks, with one small into. All are fast moving and full of energy, that will make you get up. Maybe they are not the best of ...  Read the complete review

I have to disagree with the other opinions about this album. I've liked Offspring for a few years and have enjoyed their previous stuff. While this album is very obviously what some people would call a sell out (like the last album from the Manics), it's still Offspring at their roots - just made more for the charts than earlier stuff. I don't really blame them - having spent over 15 years out of the limelight, I'd have got fed up with people not hearing my stuff too. This album has deffo got the attention of the world and is bringing more people to their earlier stuff too. It's excellent rock music, it's not trying to ...  Read the complete review

Americana is one of the best collections of songs ?Offspring? have done. It appeals to a wide audience, which is important to get record sales. There are a few songs on the album that I don?t like, for instance ?Why don?t you get a job? is the worst of the songs, but in your case it would probably be a different song, it depends on your taste in music. Some fans have complained about the album being to much pop but do you hear the fabulous Britney Spears (I?m being sarcastic) saying ?Lay awake I don?t give a sh#t? I don?t think so. My favourite song on the album is ?the kids aren?t alright? because of the fabulous guitar rifts at the beginning, it is one of those songs ...  Read the complete review

Americana is the 5th of The Offspring's many superb albums and it follows in the theme of the previous four, albeit with a little less ranting and a little bit more fun. There's the usual rock mixed with polka beats, a little bit of bass and a lot of definite sing along material. They may well stick with the old speedy rock style for songs such as 'The Kids aren't alright' and the reworked 'Feelings', but they take a more cheesy singsong turn with 'Why don't you get a job' attempting to appeal to the masses. In this case it worked a treat and people bought it in their droves, pushing it up the charts. It was fancied to have the ...  Read the complete review