Since recording their debut album in 1989, the Offspring have only grown in popularity. Their 1998 album Americana was the group's most successful to date, with its ever-popular hit single, "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)." The Offspring continue to deliver music in this particular vein on their latest effort, Conspiracy Of One, which arrived in stores Nov. 12.
The alterna-punk group's signature sound - an amalgamation of whiny, high-pitched, hard guitars, and an odd assembly of other instruments not normally heard in a rock band - is the keystone behind their success. The latter element can be heard in such popular songs as Americana's "Why Don't You Get a Job," in which the Offspring use bells, steel drums, tubas, and trumpets to accompany their standard guitar and drum regime.
Conspiracy Of One continues the Offspring tradition. Lead vocalist/guitarist Dexter Holland gives to the album the familiar, lyrical sound that the fans of the group love. The guitars and drums make up the spine of the music, and once again, other instrumental innovations are used to supplement the work of the Orange County quartet.
Conspiracy Of One differs from past Offspring albums by having a stronger pop feel, with many of the songs more upbeat and "happy." This slight change gives Offspring fans something new to expect from the band, and in fact helps the album.
Each Offspring album contains at least one song that becomes a cult favorite. In 1994, it was "Come Out and Play," and in 1998, "Pretty Fly" and "She's Got Issues." Conspiracy Of One boasts many tracks that have the same catchy quality the group has used on past albums - songs with the potential to become cult classics, mainstream hits, or both.
By far one of the most entertaining and upbeat songs on Conspiracy Of One is "Original Prankster," the disc's first single. Holland's lyrics are interrupted every so often by a hilarious "You can do it," compliments of Rob Schneider, who made the phrase famous during his work in the films The Waterboy and Little Nicky.
"Want You Bad" and "One Fine Day" are representative of the greater "pop" feel of the album. These two songs seem influenced by other bands in the Offspring's musical genre, including Green Day and SR-71. For those Offspring fans that disdain any change in the group's music, Conspiracy Of One sports songs that should satisfy even the most steadfast old-school Offspring fan. "Million Miles Away" has the same sound and rhythm as the popular "The Kids Aren't Alright," and the title track, "Conspiracy Of One," is a hard-hitting song that draws from older, edgier Offspring material.
Overall, the album is solid. As on past albums, the Offspring have included new takes on their old material to please their longtime fans. On Conspiracy of One, the group has also allowed the influence and sound of punk contemporaries to shine through in some of their songs. Hopefully, this will attract even more fans to the band, and give the present fans something new to cheer about.
For fans and listeners who use their computers as their boom boxes, Conspiracy Of One has many interactive features as well. Included on the CD are web links to Offspring fan sites, a few tracks without lyrics for karaoke singing, and music videos for four songs found on Americana, their previous effort. This gives listeners a perfect opportunity to hear both new and old Offspring material at the same time.
Overall, Conspiracy Of One delivers just what an Offspring fan would expect: hard-hitting pop-punk with an attitude. The album is in stores now and the band will appear at the Centrum in Worcester on Wednesday, Dec. 13. It will be a show not to miss.
