Smash - Offspring (The) > Reviews > Smash...an absolutley Smashing album!

Author's product rating:   

Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Value for Money

Advantages:	a great album for its time
Disadvantages:	not enough tracks !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Smash, one of The Offspring’s or Offspring as they were known back in '94, earlier releases on the infamous Epitaph record label.

The American punk rock giants manage to deliver 14 great tracks with the utmost quality and unique style you would expect from The Offspring.

The album has its flaws such as the lack of a good opening track; instead we are given a somewhat "cheesy" voice over about relaxing and listening to music.

After this, to put it fairly bluntly, somewhat lack luster opening track titled "Time to relax" the CD bursts into the fast paced drum intro of the second track "Nitro (Youth Energy)" a catchy song about whilst being young living for the moment with lyrics such as "So live like there's no tomorrow \ ain't gonna waste this life"

We then come to hear Dexter Holland's vocal prowess in the slow starting more punk orientated track "Bad Habit".

"Gotta Get Away" one of the more slower songs on the release but the combination of Dexter's vocals, the slow paced music and the well written lyrics makes this one track that really stands out for me. We then move onto the faster paced "Genocide" another track worthy of Dexter's vocal capabilities.

"Something To Believe In" is another song certainly more punk orientated with the usual "punk style" drum beat sometimes changing in the background. "Come Out and Play (keep 'm separated) is a track that shows us Noodles' (on guitar) and Greg K's (on bass) musical skills, with the catchy tune added to the well chosen lyrics makes this a good song, even though it is somewhat of a "filler" track to add length to the 47 minute album.

Track 8 "Self Esteem" is certainly the second best track on the album behind the final track "Smash", it has catchy lyrics and Dexter's vocal presence on the track yet again makes it stand out just that little bit more. "It'll be a Long Time" is a song worthy of it place on this release with its well written lyrics and catchy tune.

"Killboy Powerhead" written by the Didjits and now performed with The Offspring’s unique style makes a welcome break from the previous tracks, however I do see it as somewhat of another "filler" track.

The faster pace "What happened to you" could almost be turned in to an upbeat ska-punk song with its fast paced guitar and singing. "So Alone" is a slightly "crunchier" slower paced more punk like song with the somewhat not very catchy chant of "So Alone" in the chorus.

"Not The One" is a faster paced song with some more well written lyrics building up well to the final track "Smash", this final track is faster paced, has catchy lyrics again made to sound better with Dexter's unique vocal sound, it is a song that deals with the issues of not being seen as "trendy" and is a very good ending to an excellent release.

Overall the 47 minute 14 track release gets a big thumbs up. It has a few "filler" tracks to lengthen the release out somewhat, but mixed cleverly within the other tracks fit in well.

Anyone with an interest in punk-rock should consider buying this release for their collection, I am sure you will find you will come back to it time and time again!

Thanks for reading

Steeev