Unappreciated and Unheard (Ignition - Offspring)

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Product:	Ignition - Offspring
Date:	12/06/01 (186 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great band, A chance to hear them before they became mainstream

Disadvantages: Too short, Some dodgy songs

Often the most overlooked album, "Ignition" was the Offspring's second album, released in 1992. The first two labums were produced while the Offspring were still a relatively underground band, and as such the sound quality is poorer than on their later albums, but as for content the album is, for me, on par with the self-titled album and their two most recent ones, "Americana" and "Conspiracy of One." I don't think the Offspring actually have a "worst" album.

The album ends up coming in a little short (at about thirty seven minutes), but is worth buying if you feel the need for some older punk rock music. I don't know if it's worth buying for full price (unless you're a dedicated fan), but I've often seen it in sales for around £7.99 if you want to treat yourself sometime.

The first song, "Session", begins after singer Bryan "Dexter" Holland shouts some obscenities into a microphone, and is the story of a man whose relationship revolves solely around sex. In context it reminds me of "Smash"'s hit single "Self Esteem", and the song is still played live today (it was the only track they played off this album when I saw them live in January). The song is very good and energetic, and is a good way to start the album (it was also co-written). ("Oh here I go, I go again- these rendezvous never seem to end. Know where I'll be, make this confession- back in her room for another goddamn session!")

Track two ("We Are One") is about a group of people who stick together through thick and thin. It's a slow song to balance out most of the speedy, loud rock of the album, and is good to listen to. ("We are one and it won't be news when we hang ourselves in one collective noose.")

Track three is pure old school punk, "Kick Him When He's Down", and is the story of someone who is down on
his luck and wants to live life how he wants it, away from the public. ("When the rain comes I sit home and pray. Make it all numb- I wish it all away. All I really need is just somewhere to hide away.") It's not a very good song in my opinion, but offers a change.

"Take It Like a Man" is about someone who cannot do anything by himself, and lacks any sense of self-dependance. It's got a cool riff and sounds great. ("Shut up and take it like a man. You need us to get a life. For your own good we'll take you by the hand, 'cause you need a little more.")

Track five is one of the best on the album, "Get it Right." It's the story of someone who can never get "it" right, whatever that refers to, and cannot accomplish "it." It sounds cool and stats off great, with another good riff. ("I'll look out the window then look in the mirror- the same old me again. Still can't get it right...")

The Offspring have been knownn to sound like Nirvana on occasion, but "Dirty Magic" just takes the biscuit. A very grunge-a-like song, it talks about a man whose partner is unpredictable. One minute she'll be asking him over, and the next mocking him. The chorus also sounds very similar to the later song "Have You Ever" off "Americana." ("Her little soul is stolen, see her put on her brand new face.")

The second half of the album starts with "Hypodermic", a song about drug abuse and how people can find their peace with needles. It's quite good, but there's nothing original about the tune. ("When you're feeling low, hypodermic's where yuo go.")

"Burn It Up" is basically the album's title track, and reverts to the old rock style of play a line, sing a line for the most part. It seems to be the album's token comedy song, and is about a pyromaniac who can'
;t get enough of burning stuff. It's quite good, but not one of the album's finest. ("I'll drive on by your yard, throw a molotov cocktail at your car, and another one in the local bar.")

The song with the greatest meaning on the album is track nine, "No Hero", in which Dexter sings about feeling useless about not being able to stop his friend "Johnny" from taking his own life. It was thought that he was singing about his wife's death, but she actually died in a car crash along with his daughter (which is what later single "Gone Away" is about). This song is very good, and a favourite for guitar players.

Track ten, "L.A.P.D.", begins slowly and gradually builds up with a bass and drum beat before bursting into what is my favourite song on the album. The controversial melody talks about the fascism inherent in the L.A.P.D., with the line "beat all the niggers." The song is one of the few the band play live on their "Huck It!" home video, and it is definitely worthy of such an honour, as it is a cool song.

"Nothing From Something" is another really good song, and is about finding pleasure and pastime in self-mutilation. It's got a great guitar tune, and great lyrics. ("Shattered glass will cure my ills and make me feel alright.")

The final track, "Forever and a day", always reminds me of the soundtrack to eighties TV shows with its initial riff, and is one of the album's low points. It is about wanting one's own views, and not conforming to the system, but isn't very good. Overall, definitely not worth the disses the album has received- writing this opinion has only made me appreciate it more.

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