Conspiracy of fun. (Conspiracy Of One - Offspring)

Member Name: paulhanton

Product:	Conspiracy Of One - Offspring
Date:	21/08/08 (186 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great tracks, energy, no 'fillers'.

Disadvantages: Can't think of any.

The Offspring - Conspiracy of One

American punk/metal/indie (maybe a bit 'grungy') outfit, The Offspring are somewhat prolific having had 8 albums in nine years.

This album was released in 2000 and has gone well over platinum. This album (I don't have any others) reminds me a bit of the Fun Loving Criminals, and that is not a bad thing.

I want to mention the CD booklet which in terms of art is very influenced by Marvel/DC type illustrations and is probably one of the most visually stunning CD booklets I have seen, top marks. All the lyrics are included.

~~~The tracks~~~


1. Intro
I do not like 'intro's' normally, but this is short and sweet, I'll let it go.

2. Come Out Swinging
Brilliant opening track, really sets the scene, furiuos drumming and guitar intro then the vocals come in, the singer (Dexter Holland) has quite reconisable vocals and seem to just 'fit' with the music. Love this opening which really is energetic punk Americana. 9/10.

3. Original Prankster (with Redman)
Probably the track that 'launched' the band in the UK, backing vocals by redman (rapper). Great, fun, and here is where the similarity with FLC becomes apparent. Gotta love this, full of energy again and quite fun. 9/10.

4. Want You Bad
More like British post punk to me, has a drum riff quite like the Undertones, vocals very much like Busted or Green day, nice song, again full of energy, it makes you wanna get up and pogo, lol. 8/10.

5. Million Miles Away
Bit darker, bit more like an Emo/rock style, I really like this, it is a bit of a headbanger, some great guitar work that is almost metal in style. 9/10.

6. Dammit, I Changed Again
Bit of a dark opeining, good, then we break into what could be a metal song again, nu metal, but for me that is about it, it does not do too much different, good but not great, 7/10.

7. Living in Chaos
Great guitar riff opening, and brilliant drum accompaniment, musically this is a great track, it changes pace, it has different arrangemnents in the same track. I have to say I could imagine Linkin Park doing this, but I do think that this lot are more accomplished. 9/10.

8. Special Delivery
Nice drum and bass intro (no not dance music drum and bass), then a quite interesting vocal that is a good half an ocatve higher than usual. Then comes the rock chorus, then slows again. Great stuff again. 9/10.

9. One Fine Day
The start sounds so like Green day it is weird, luckiliy it gathers pace and we get a really frenetic piece of fun punk like Chumbawumba on speed dial, lol. The music is uptempo and fun yet lyrically it is about riots and destruction, clever so and so's. Best track of the album 10/10.

10. All Along
I guess anything would be an anticlimax afyer the last track, though it aint half bad, very punky, with a slight ska influence for me, good stuff. 9/10.

11. Denial, Revisited
Another corker, and the slowest track on the album...has real individuality written all over it...quite angsty but in a sort of trimphant way, not a ballad, quite, not sure how to describe it...an intelligent version of Staind, lol. 9/10.

12. Vultures
Dark and moody start, plucking guitars, controlled drumming...can't quite decide on this one, it is good no doubt but it does not sound as individual as their other tracks, bit like a cross between Nirvana and Blink 182 (if you can imagine that). 7/10.

13. Conspiracy of One
More nu metal than punk okay, but as a titile track not the best. 7/10.

14. Huck it, Bonus track.
Brilliantly controlled bit of guitar and drums to start that really pull you in, then it builds, and builds, and buiolds until it is ready for the vocals, this aint punk, it is metal,I don't care what anyonme says, and I like it...there I've said it, I'm outed. 9/10.

~~~~Finally~~~~
This is one of those albums that when I bought it (at a boot sale) I was impressed but not greatly, and now as I am converting my CD's to iTunes I think, damn this is good. In fact I have decided whilst reviewing this that I am going to buy more of The Offspring, I do like them.

A definite must for folks, fun, energetic, and very, very good.

Summary: The Offspring.