To most people, The Offspring are best known as the purveyors of the punk/metal/pop rock sound contained in Smash, their most commercially successful album. However, there is a decidedly traditional punk side to their music, a side that can be seen most clearly in this, their self-titled debut.
Produced by punk stalwart Thom Wilson, this record captures The Offspring at their best - raw and raunchy, with a well-defined political awareness. The guitars screech more than thunder, the drums rattle instead of pound, and Dexter Holland's vocals threaten rather than growl. That said, it is not hard to see why mainstream success passed by the band early on. This album undoubtedly lacks the commercial sheen of later releases, but that does not necessarily make it bad. In fact, if you are a devout punk rocker and dislike some of the music in Smash, then this may be the right album for you.
Standout tracks include: Jennifer Lost the War, Crossroads, Beheaded, Tehran, and Kill the President --chris googs
Offspring's metal-inflected punk became a popular sensation in 1994, selling over four million albums on an independent record label. While the group's credentials and approach …