Since the band broke into the pop music market with its smash single "Self Esteem," The Offspring has struggled to overcome the "sell-out" label that has overshadowed its career. The band's latest release, Conspiracy of One, will do nothing to aid that struggle.
Erykah Badu
Mama's Gun
Universal Music
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With Americana, The Offspring's previous release, the band found a happy medium, combining the experimental with the commercial in an album with a clear purpose. But on their new album, Conspiracy of One, the band tries almost too hard to copy the super-successful formula.
The entire album sounds eerily familiar. "Damnit, I Changed Again" sounds distinctively like Americana's "The Kids Aren't Alright." Songs like "Come Out Swinging" and "Denial, Revisited," go as far as to steal notes or riffs from Americana. Other tracks like "Million Miles Away" and "All Along" try to stick to the band's classic style of one or two-note combos. The result is a few cheesy and unimaginative songs that burden the listener to no end.
Conspiracy does have its bright spots. The first single, "Original Prankster," is quirky and catchy, very reminiscent of 1998's smash single, "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)." The song also gets some help and added effects from Redman and a sample of Rob Schneider's classic "Waterboy" line, "You can do it!"
"Living In Chaos" and "Special Delivery" provide the only glimmer of originality on Conspiracy, exploring beyond the album's seemingly clear-cut musical boundaries with slightly more advanced guitar work and alternating styles.
For Conspiracy, The Offspring turned to famed rock producer Brendan O'Brien (Rage Against the Machine, Korn, Stone Temple Pilots). But even O'Brien's expertise can't seem to rescue this album from its own monotony.
Longtime fans of The Offspring looking for a return of the "punk days" will be sorely disappointed. Fans of Americana and looking for more of the same won't be. Conspiracy lacks creativity but should pack plenty of selling power.
