Faster now, you know I got no brakes (Americana - Offspring)

Member Name: Daveangel

Product:	Americana - Offspring
Date:	06/07/00 (5 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Still some high quality tunes

Disadvantages: Can be a bit too poppy

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 same happy air about it as 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da' by the Beatles and in many ways you can see the similarity.
Then you listen to 'Pretty Fly(For a white guy)' and you start wondering where you've heard that before. Then you listen to your copy of 'Smash' and it all becomes clear. 'Come out and Play' has all the same characteristics as 'Pretty Fly' with subtle differences being introduced.
Many of the other songs are still involved with quick paced rock ranting, which is what The Offspring fans love so much, such as in 'Staring at the sun' and the marvellous 'No Brakes'.
I think it's a great album, but not as good as previous efforts.

Summary: