Reviews (page 8 of 14)
Great album, lots of memories…first car, first job, summer of 1994. Played this a TON
Fine
"Smash" is the third studio album by American rock band the Offspring. Punk rock, skate punk, pop punk and melodic hardcore are the Wiki-listed genres. Yep. Along with Green Day's "Dookie," this album paved the way for the pop punk scene of th1990's. The bandmembers included Dexter Holland (vocals, guitar), Noodles (guitar, backing vocals), Greg K. (bass) and Ron Welty (drums, backing vocals). The album received generally positive reviews and, commercially, did very well, hitting #4 in the US and #21 in the UK and was the first gold and platinum selling album for their label Epitaph. The album opens with an older guy talking about relaxing and to listen to music in "Time to Relax (Intro)." This rolls right into "Nitro (Youth Energy)." Fast drums, guitar, bass. Lead singer Dexter Holland yelling about living for today cause there's no tomorrow. Even the backing vocals are yelling. Very punk. The band goes more rock-pop in "Gotta Get Away." A melodic guitar and even a more heavy metal riff later on. Dexter wrote the lyrics based on his suffering extreme pressure due to the deadline of the album. This was his last song written for the album. The first single released was "Come Out and Play." A drum beat then the melodic guitar riff and then the Arabian guitar riff for which they were sued but won. Dexter's friend, Jason "Blackball" McLean, with the famous voice saying "Got to keep 'em separated" which was based on Dexter's experience In a chemistry lab and Erlenmeyer flasks. I remember those. A song about gang and school violence. Another big hit was "Self Esteem." Snotty "La La La La's." A catchy guitar, bass and beat and a song more in pop-rock category than punk. His girlfriend cheats on and uses him but he can't resist her. The Offspring, the Stone Temple Pilots and the Dave Matthews Band were 90's band that really annoyed me. For some reason today I'm not as annoyed as much with the Offspring and STP. Sure, Snotty and annoying vocals and sarcastic and ridiculous lyrics. But, I guess, that's part of the fun. Elements of punk, pop, rock, metal and even ska. Themes of anti-government, anger, teen angst and greed. It's no surprise that their singles were hits given their catchy melodies. I'm not saying I'm going to jump on the Offspring bandwagon but this album was OK and my annoyance factor was not triggered.
This is really hard to evaluate. On face value they have some strong songs but the 5 star system is hard to evaluate as flip flop between 3 and 4 stars as the score is not granular enough. My reasoning for the strong score would be they are primarily a punk band. I grew up on The Offspring and lapped up their more mainstream fair which is more moderate punk and dimminished their essence despite me liking some of it arguably better. This album is more pure and natural for the band. There is no gloss and they bounce along like tigger on speed. To me this is no different to the Pixies, or Ash or dare I say Neil Young (different genre but same principle). The lead singer in the offspring cant sing to save his life as far as I can tell to my untrained ear and seemingly thrashy at times but it works in the context of their bands music and style. I can see why it has a polarising effect like the other bands I mentioned all for different reasons but they come out on the better end of the scale for me in spite of it almost. One persons micky mouse (Neil Young) is anothers Nightingale. To confirm for the record I like Pixies, Ash and The Offspring. Neil young less so he is a whinning little ear worm.
I've had a real soft spot for the offspring since manually adding 'Splinter' to the radio on GTA 3. They are a bit of a one trick pony but they do it so well with such an infectious energy that I always find myself smiling along. No different with this album which sounded exactly as I was expecting it to but I enjoyed it from start to finish. 'Self Esteem' was a highlight and I thought it was more slightly more nuanced than the rest of the album and I liked the scar sound of 'What Happened to You?'. I accept that they aren't defining any genres or breaking new musical ground, but it's a fun and energetic poppy punk-rock album and for some reason I can't help but enjoy it.
In the spring of 1994 the choice was between Dookie and Smash and well, Billie Joe reminded me too much of shitheads I knew and actually picked a fight with them outside a venue in Frankfurt, but more importantly, they didn’t play fast. The Offspring played faster, not NOFX or SNFU fast, but fast enough for me. That said, I don’t really think I ever clicked with this? I distinctly remember walking around Frankfurt with this on my discman thinking “do I even really like this?” Not in a Fugazi sense, where I’m being challenged by unorthodox sounds, more...does this suck? But, I still liked it enough to go see them do a free show at the university, bumping into Dexter housing a Big Mac a few blocks over. It was kinda good clean fun I guess and I never listened to it again until now. I completely forgot about that ska track lol, which I definitely defended back in 1994. It’s kind of a marvel Gurewitz could even supply distributors...11 million worldwide!!! If my dad ever gave me shit about pouring energy into music, I could always bring up these fools.
A little generic punky, but overall not bad.
Transported back to the 90s. Have to admit I didn’t realize how important of a band The Offspring were not that their most famous song was actually about race riots. 4/5
The best part of Grade 6 was yelling, "you stupid dumbshit goddamn motherfucker."
It was charming. Not great musically or anything but when is punk music ever? Very rough with interesting ideas while keeping it simple. I liked it. The transition are also very charming and bring the album together. 3/5
Dit is een volwassen man die gepassioneerd als een tiener zingt en voor tieners/pubers schrijft. Welke volwassen man is nog steeds geobsedeerd met edgy woorden/high school. De mix/productie is daarnaast vrij slecht waardoor alle instrumenten modderig en onhelder klinken. Ik wilde dit oprecht niet nog eens luisteren, kon ook geen goed nummer vinden hier
Lekker rock enzo
Grew up listening to The Offspring so this album is an all timer for me. Just some absolute classics on this thing.
What can we say about the Offspring?? This is their incredible smash hit (see what I did) album from the 90s and it's still exactly as I remember it: kind of bad, kind of insane, but dripping with heart, honesty, and realness. They were real punks in a time of corporatism. The lead singer's voice is nasally and upsetting. Their songs are about how much they suck. They are shamefully noisy. God I love it.
Energy is good, but the songs get a little repetitive. A couple 90’s classic pop punk hits on here. 3.5/5 Migjt listen again
I like the energy/beat, it sounds not unlike bands I would listen to sometimes normally (punk rockish). Would I seek it out again though? I'm not sure I would. I just wouldn't be surprised or disappointed if they turned up on one of my genre playlists sometime.
High octane, full throttle music. The drummer is working overtime lmao I swear. Not my sorta music I’m into but it would deserve a better score if I was into it haha.
I don't understand this, it is just some loud music that feels soulless. Like sure, the band knows how to play, and it still felt so empty with the same consistent sound throughout. The ending of the last track after five minutes of nothing was pretty neat, but that doesn't redeem the album in the slightest.
An all-around solid 90s rock album. Nothing particularly special about it, but that is kind of why it's special (if that makes sense). It is what it is, and doesn't try to do anything else besides get in your face and rock out. It has some bangers and some OK songs, but is never boring. Overall: 3.4/5
This band is in the running for worst ever. Other than “Self-Esteem,” this album does nothing for me. I’ll stop there before I attack your music taste if you’re one who likes this band with a severe lack of talent who must resort to gimmicks to get people to listen.
mid rock slop
Bardzo, bardzo fajne. 5/5
I'm a fan of slightly later Offspring, but this album is still a solid listen with mostly good songs and few greats. 4*
Wow wow wow what an album
Ok rock/punk band from the 90’s. Not my kind of music, but pretty fly for a white guy, is a catchy song.
Ive always found Come out and play to be an annoying song. The rest of it was fine, some was mildly enjoyable. I would rather not listen to it again.
9.5/10
Never in my life have I listened to the Offspring before! I was blown away by the energy this album brought. I loved how they led you into the world of "Smash" with the title track and followed it with the energy you may or may not have been expecting. Treating an album like an experience is what I like to see, and how it should be. I couldn't help but move while listening to this album, bobbing my head back and forth and all. The first two songs capture (what I assume) is the band's strongsuit, delivering a lively performance. I loved the surf-y vibe in Come Out and Play. I enjoyed the drums + guitar on this album the most :)
I May Be Dumb, But I'm Not A Dweeb. I'm Just A Sucker With No Self-Esteem 1001 Albums Generator 17 (04/25/2025) The Offspring are a pop punk band from California that saw their critical and commercial peak in the 90’s. Along with Green Day, The Offspring brought punk rock to the mainstream by combining its blistering speed with strong pop sensibilities. Smash is their third studio album, released in 1994, and represents the start of their most commercially successful period. It is also the band’s most critically acclaimed record and features two of their most popular songs: Come Out And Play and Self Esteem. I had never listened to this album before, and I didn’t know any songs off of it outside these two. Both are classic for a reason. The former features its start/stop drum intro, the iconic “you gotta keep em separated” hook and its surf guitar parts in the pre-verses. This is a great song, but the latter is even stronger in my opinion. Self Esteem, for my money, is an encapsulation of everything that made The Offspring great: a great rhythm section, good guitar riffs, and Dexter Holland’s slightly ironic, self-aware lyrics that don’t take themselves too seriously. There are other great moments on this album too. The forgotten third single Gotta Get Away is a bit slower but features a great, catchy guitar part that switches from lower register to higher register chords. Perhaps my favorite song on the whole album is the extremely fun Genocide. The energy on this thing hits you like a ton of bricks and it is so fast. The speed and drums are almost thrashy. Other highlights include the ska punk of What Happened To You? and perhaps the most hardcore punk song of the whole album: the one minute So Alone. One thing I am not a fan of on this thing is Dexter Holland’s vocals. He often sounds like he’s wailing in quite an annoying way. This is most expemplified on songs like Bad Habit and Something To Believe In. The latter is actually pretty catchy and has some good riffs but his backing vocals in the chorus just kill me. Even Self Esteem is guilty of this if I’m being honest, but that one gets a pass. This album also features one of my least favorite tropes of the 90’s: the godforsaken hidden track. This one is even worse than other notable examples from this decade since it is just reprises of songs on the album after like 5 minutes of silence. This, more than anything else here, dates this album in a negative way. Overall, The Offspring’s Smash is a high octane album with as many great songs as bad ones. I’m glad I finally gave the “Keep Em Separated” band a chance and found some new favorites. Overall, I’m feeling a 3/5. Favs: Genocide Come Out And Play Self Esteem Least Fav: Bad Habit
This one has an emotional attachment for me, as I bought it when it first came out and felt rather the rebel with my punk album in hand. Turns out this is West Coast wannabe punk that sounds a lot like my past self had a significant Dunning-Kruger gap in my punk knowledge (and probably still do, bit less so with my ongoing 1001 self-knowledge thru music course.
I discovered this right as I was starting to play bass and learned each song by ear by repeatedly listing to it over and over again. When I got an acoustic guitar I went back and learned them all over again. I remember playing self esteem with my band in front of our school. Looking back, it was definitely pseudo punk for the masses but it was hard baked into my dna before I realized.
Not quite as iconic of a 90s album as Americana, but still a mostly solid album
I’ve always like The Offspring, but this was my first time listening to Smash from start to finish. Pretty damn great! The vocals are what elevates them IMO.
This came out right in the middle of my punk era and this was an absolute banger. I saw them tour this album and they were amazing!
More yelling, but more importantly, Offspring feels like a band created by a marketing department trying to capitalize on the popularity of grunge rather than being a band born out of it. Interesting hooks at times, but ultimately unconvincing.
Still works
Actually fairly listenable
p734. 1994. 3 stars. The bastard love children of Nirvana and Green Day. Shouty punk power pop, lots of energy but lacking standout tunes.
Teenager
Feels just like I'm a passenger in a cab in Crazy Taxi. I dig it
Cool
Punchy, energetic and very enjoyable! Better than the more popular follow up, Americana.
Love it! Early u2 and mysticism of the doors
Dexter Holland has a great voice for punk rock
Classic 90's Rock, which has some iconic tracks and influence. Not my favorite band of that era, but still iconic
Not a fan of the sound. You'd think I'd like this rock but it just was loud and not my style at all
Love this album too
this was my first favorite album growing up
Was not time to relax, did not listen via compact disk on my stereo, did not soothe my savage beast. Punk bangers from start to finish, a very fun listen. The kind of music that would probably change my life were I to see it live.
wazny album tbh tbh dobry shit
Verbinde ich immer mit Skateboardfahren lul auch wenn ich damals immer Americana gehört habe
Not bad, just didn't really connect, probably not a 7.30am album
Bangers. Loved this album
More US punk is it.. les go i guess Spoken intro into SHOUTING is a big sell so far Oh i am liking this. Maybe the entire purpose of this website/project is to make me listen to American guitar lads. Guitar guys. Might need to make a cd of this so I can drive 80mph through a school zone. Okay this rocks .if anything it goes on a bit .. I'm still waiting for the bonus track to jumpscare me.. but otherwise I'm absolutely sold nice one.
Gotta Get Away Come Out and Play Self-Esteem
I know some people wake up with this in the morning. I drove with this during the morning rush hour and I have to say that I often hear better music. So not recommended.
Comparison to early Green Day is warranted, but for some reason Smash is a bit tamer and boring then Dookie. Self-esteem is a great song, still working as a hit nowadays, but the rest of the album is just slightly underwhelming. I like The Offspring, but in a sporadic, hit related environment, not as a one hour marathon of 90s punk rock.
It was only nostalgia that kept me from abandoning this album.
When you say back to high school. Lead singer is a badass!
Feels like I visited an old high school friend and they still work at Ikea
it’s not my type of music, ig
Punk rock is similar to some of the harder rock songs I like, from band-maid per se. Vocals are eh.
Classic mid-90s punk modern rock
Another one of those pointless American albums by a pointless American band! You may of invented rock’n”roll but this is trash! Not a single redeeming song, trash!
Første halvdel lyder som generisk Offspring uden der sker ret meget. Så når man over halvvejs og så rammer alle deres hits. Det opvejer en smule, men den første del af albummet gør den fulde oplevelse lidt mere kedelig.
6. The intro to the album is kinda funny. I am very nostalgic for this genre of music, this is the kinda music that plays in video games I grew up with, They literally take up half the songs in Crazy Taxi. It's the kind of music that is loud and annoying on purpose, maybe for attention, and I love it. Overall this is a great punk rock album and would be glad to listen to again. Favorite Song: Come Out and Play Least Favorite Song: Killboy Powerhead Overall Score: 7/10
Cool
I remember this album and reminds of my teenager time.
Nope. I think I liked this when I was maybe 17 or 18. I've seen them live a few times since then, but the last time I saw them, at a festival, it was one of the worst sets I have seen in my life. Like they phoned it in. Just running off muscle memory. I decided that day to never listen to them again, I was so disappointed. I went home and deleted all of their music. Two stars, because they're not Morrissey bad. Just old and lame.
I remember when this came out - senior year in college. Some good tunes. Songs all sound very similar, so not much character to me. I am not sure I would have included this on the 1001 albums you must listen to before you die.
6/10 Nostalgia gave this a high three. most of it sounds like the continuation of the same song. come out and play is great. 4-3-2025
High energy album.
Not my cup of tea at all. Gave it 2 listens. Second time around the 1st track seemed better but unfortunately not the rest. All a bit samey and no fan of lead singers voice. Last track had an interesting pause for around 4 mins and then a middle eastern type guitar solo and raised this to 2 stars.
A bit biased here ar I grew up with this record, but talk about executing exactly what you set out to do, all while writing catchy hard rocking tunes
Yes, worth it here. Yes. Sarcastic elbows will complain about the shouting and give it a lower mark. Yes it’s not terribly deep. But it’s fun. And given its surprising success, is a decent artifact of punk in the mid nineties. 3.5
My best mate Tim and I used to go see a lot of thrash shows when I was a teenager because they were the all ages shows that were available. And they are a lot of fun; loud,fast, energetic and with moshing (which is awesome when you're 17, less so now that I am in my 50s. My knees aren't up to it). Our favourite band were The Hard Ons, who did a fast melodic punk, leavened with humour. This is by way of saying that, when The Offspring appeared, I was familiar with the form. By this time, I was working in an alternative record store in Newtown, and had seen the effect that Nirvana had on the music industry. Bands that would never have had a look in on radio or MTV or even getting stocked in a mainstream record store were suddenly the flavour of the week. I believe that The Offspring had no real expectations of massive success -- they were on an independent punk label with limited distribution and a very modest recording budget. They had pretty standard pop punk sound (well recorded by Thom Wilson, with heavy and crunchy guitars and clean drums), but one super catchy single, chock full of hooks, in 'Come Out and Play'. It was released at just the right moment for radio and MTV to give it heavy rotation, and it went gangbusters. In Australia, it broke on Triple J, the national public yoof network, but quickly crossed to commercial rock radio. By the time the band made it to Australia in early 95, they were co-headlining The Big Day Out, our biggest annual travelling festival. The album went to number one on the mainstream Australian charts, the first time an album from a independent distributor (Shock Records) had ever done so. And that really marked the beginning of the end for the truly alternative music scene in Australia. Major label money stated flowing into the alternative labels and fucking ruined everything. Labels that had been healthy and successful for years in the tentative world were suddenly getting into partnerships with majors, and they were all closed by the end of the decade -- Waterfront, Redeye, Phantom, Au Go Go and even Shock,all over-leveraged,strip mined and exploited and left to rot. The back catalogs are often uncared for, making good releases from great bands essentially unavailable and forgotten. This was sad but hardly the fault of The Offspring. I don't begrudge them their success, and hope they all bought really nice houses with the proceeds. Personally, I find this album a bit uninspiring; I had heard plenty of bands just as good, possibly with generally better tunes, because, let's face it, Dexter Holland can only sing one melody, and at a single volume. The constant shouting works when you're playing in a small club through a crappy vocal PA and you need to be heard over the guitar amps. But the full throated shouting for a whole album (often double tracked for extra heft) just wears me down, especially when all the guitars are constantly loud and fast all the damn time as well. It would be fun in a small punk club, but doesn't make for great listening as a record. It's all a bit same-same. Except for 'Come Out and Play' -- that is a really awesome single with actual hooks. I rate that. I would buy it on a 7" single if I saw it. 2.5 stars rounding up for having at least one solid gold hit on it.
I think there's a good reason that punk album generally stay to around 30 minutes, it's simply too intense. There is a lot of great stuff here but for a genre that's so dense and energentic, by the second half I just wanted it to be over.
Cowabunga dood. Fun 90s pop punk, ska twists on some of the tunes.
Klassiker
In my hubris, I always dismissed The Offspring because it's essentially dumb pop punk for young teens. This particular sequence of songs hasn't touched my eardrums for over 2 decades and I had a smirk on my face because I anticipated to dislike it considering that I have developed my tastes over such a long period of time. To my surprise, this thing still slaps and does feel like a classic album. I was surprised how well the songs stuck and how easily I could memorize all the rather juvenile lyrics. It's all well produced and you just get a good dose of guitar power chords, dirty bass and hard hitting drums. We get a lot of wohooo and woooyeahhs which gets a bit old. Don't get me wrong, it's not some super secret sleeper album that is underrated. It is just a good time and feels safer and less angular than other real punk projects. I had my fun.
As the 1990s came thundering in with the rise of grunge and punk alternative rock, I never connected with The Offspring. Aside from their more well-known radio-friendly songs like "Come Out and Play," "Self Esteem," and "Gotta Get Away," the remainder of the album not very memorable or engaging. On re-listen, I pretty much feel the same. "Smash" is a reasonably well-produced album, featuring tracks that blend pop sensibilities with loud guitars and a punk-inspired attitude. However, it does not offer anything particularly innovative. For a more better representation of that period, consider "Dookie" by Green Day.
I listened to this album a lot last year because I had the opportunity to see Offspring play through the whole thing at a festival. But after spending so much time with it, I decided I'd rather see a different band. I popped in for the big songs but then stepped back out. Because to me, this album is so basic. The music is pretty generic punk, the lyrics are... fine. I can appreciate what it did for punk in the 90s along with Green Day, but there are much better bands doing better versions of this at the time. Nitro, Bad Habit, Gotta Get Away, and Self Esteem are all great songs, but everything else just kind of blends in together. It's still wild to me that Dexter has a PhD in molecular biology and churns out the mediocre and sometimes clingy lyrics he does. Also, white dreads. 2.5/5
A serviceable pop punk album. I enjoyed all the songs but nothing got me hootin’ and hollerin’ with excitement.
The Offspring are one of those groups I’ve tried to leave in my teens. But damned if some of these songs don’t get my toes tappin’.
I think this album is okay, just not something I would listen to often. 3 stars or C+.
An absolute punk masterpiece. Heavy, mad and fast. Great producing songs are great and although most have the same pace they link perfectly. The songs tjat chance pace help out the flow of the album. skating community salutes the offsprings for keeping it real and making it even more real.
rock fm af pero historia del ponk supongo
Eh. Frat boy punk.
I do think they are growing on me. They certainly have a deeper meaning on a lot of their songs than originally thought.
Not a punk guy but they packed a punch in some of their songs
Okay, love parts of this album. "Come Out and Play" is one of their best songs, takes me back to middle school. "Self Esteem" is another straight banger. Love the fast and furious, really punk feeling songs in the middle. I think the lyrics of most punk bands are really undervalued, which is especially true of The Offspring. This is not the best punk album of the time (I think Dookie is better) nor is it The Offspring's best album (Let the Bad Times Roll is). But it is a very solid album. Don't love the long silence leading into a secret song at the end, but it is very 90's. Only reason this isn't a 5 is cause I know they have better albums, and while I agree this should be on the list, I don't think it is 5 star worthy.
normally punk is not my scene & usually only a song or 2 at a time, but I enjoyed this listen. good variation & not just the super fast banging drums & heavy guitar. like that lyrics have some depth & even some humor.
Having looked at the various chart entries of this album on Wiki I saw that it had just limped in at No 75 in the UK charts. So no wonder I’ve never heard of them and wondered if it was yet another one of those US ‘filler’ bands who seem to populate this list in order to make the numbers up to 1001. This was actually unfair as it wasn’t such a bad album. A bit Green Days wannabes maybe but still an admirable attempt. One question though - was this ever released on vinyl and if so were the words on track one changed? 2.5/3 29/3/25
Keep em Separated and Self Esteem skyrocketed these guys to the 1994 alt charts, but it was on the coattails of Green Day’s Dookie.
Some bangers, average overall
10/10 archetype for punk albums
Couple of songs I enjoyed Quite repetitive Not one I’d go back too
Decent
Loud without being very good or interesting at all
LA LA LALALAA LA LA LALALA
punkrock
Yeh self esteem is the tune and the rest is no doubt offspring, maybe a low 4. Sound but no Americana and I probably won't be back.
Not really my thing
Honestly don't know if this that great or it just takes me back to a time when I thought this album was great
I can listen to this start to finish any day.
Старый добрый офф
Loved the sweeping power chords of this post punk group. It's a first listen for me but I think i will revisit it at some other time..to get the most from it!
I grew up with the offspring and always loved them (particularly Americana) but I’d never listened to this end to end. I really enjoyed this one. I know some people don’t consider them “high brow” but they have their place in music and have done so successfully. Self esteem is an absolute bop and their little musical intros and outros and interludes are funny. I would for sure listen to this on my own
Ist zwar gar nicht meins aber war nie cringe oder langweilig, dafür gibt pluspunkte
Unpleasant noise. Simply don’t like.
Annoying.
Love the offspring. High energy, fun album. Only one song has a slow intro that kind of ruins the flow. I will admit that I'm hindsight, one song can be hard to distinguish from another in a few instances
Bangers present, I give it 4/5.
I am not sure if this is a relic of the 1990s or a testament to the power of ‘90s punk. The first songs I learned when I joined a high school garage band was “Come Out and Play” and “Self Esteem” so naturally they will always have a special place in my memory. We registered to this over dinner and as Bad Habit rolled the entire family looked to me with shock. I forgot about the spoken word sections before Genocide and throughout. Gotta Get Way is a great song too. This album is definitely harder hitting than Smashmouth or Green Day’s catalog. It was a good flashback overall.
Random thoughts: * The Offspring always have lived in my subconscious. They have been here since I heard "Keep 'Em Separated". I never really thought much beyond the hits that I was aware of. * It never occurred to me to explore more or pick up a whole album to listen. * This album is good and has their biggest hits. I don't need to hear it again but I wouldn't mind this one being played for me once more.
Solid. I’d have to be in the mood for it but very well done
J’ai toujours aimé The Offspring comme un plaisir coupable. Leur côté baveux et juvénile me fait rire, leurs pièces restent en tête
Sucks. About 45 minutes too long.
Nothing special, wouldn't turn it off, wouldn't really come back to it
4/10
This didn’t do a great deal for me. I could see the influences and what they were going for but they don’t quite get there. His voice is lacking and the songwriting just isn’t good enough for me
It's another one of my nostalgic 5's, but this one is pretty special to me, and it still KICKS ASS. I was about 14 or 15 when I first heard this album. I remember it incredibly vividly. I know the exact spot I was standing in at school when a friend handed me his headphones one lunchtime and I listened to 'Gotta Get Away' for the first time. The Offspring for me weren't just a gateway band into alternative music, it was a whole moment in our lives. I became part of the 'alternative' crowd and embraced that as part of my identity. I wasn't a trendy asshole and I liked good music! I was obsessed with the Offspring from there. They were the first band I saw live (side note: The 'Million Miles Away' video is from that very gig!), and I listened to them all the time. I'm SO happy that they've actually aged well, and that the albums still have heaps of energy and punch to them. I even saw them live again last year for the first time since 2000, and they were excellent! Putting my music critic hat on.. some of this can sound quite samey, or have the same kind of energy throughout. The drum beats and drive is so similar across the album. But I love how relentless it is, and how it barely stops for air. There are some great tunes on here, full of energy and bite and get up and go, and I love it.
Every song sounds the exact same.
1.5
No Mom, I WON’T clean up my room. The band that launched a million angst ridden drywall punchers into the Age of Enlightenment (the late 90’s). They’re here with their debut that I haven’t really heard all the way through. There’s the hits, sure, but will those hit me the same as they once did, or will this generate the cringe that I kind of expect it to? Grab your walker, aging millennial guy named Kyle and/or Josh, and gather round the ol’ text box. Time to review Smash. Ok. Thanks. It is time to relax. Well let’s just pretend that didn’t happen. It was fine. Kind of funny, but you better start with a bang. Meh. The riff is alright here. Sort of thrash extra lite. The whole Rise Against melody that this has is really off putting to me. I’m aware that my use of anachronistic comparisons may also be off putting, but this is my party, and I’ll cry if I want to, pal. This was mid. Man these vocals are killing me. Why do an A Cappella segment with them? At least it jumps up from there. This song has far more energy than the previous. Ironic because the last song featured the word “energy” in the title. I mean this lyrical theme though. My skin is crawling with cringe. I may run you off the road if you’re playing this song. Oh my sweet lord. Immediately transported back to being stuck in traffic on the 102 flipping track and forth between Q104 and the other one whose name escapes me. Catchy song to be fair. A little less cringe. Better. Still not great. This lyrical theme feels slightly higher brow, but we are still deeply in cro-magnon territory. The unnecessary competition between humans in an age of permanent excess is baffling and exhausting, but just saying “dog eat dog” a thousand times doesn’t quite get the point across. I just want some straightforward punk. The riffs are again ok. Fairly boilerplate, mainstream rock. I want less melody and more edge. I am being delivered this overly-melodic track on repeat right now. Stadium “punk.” Hand me my cheaper version of a popular energy drink, there is some drywall to punch. Hey man, when I see red, look out. You know what though? At least this song has some attitude. And if I imagine it as a takedown of macho culture, it gets even better. This is a fun song. Heavier and more subversive. A victory. Uh oh. The king hit on this thing. Look. I talked about cringe, and I fully anticipated “Self Esteem” to remind me what a loser I was as a teenager, but you know what? This song is still pretty fun. The long winded melodic chanting is tiresome, but the lyrics and general slacker punk energy really work for me. Look at me liking all the chart toppers. Hey. This one is pretty cool. The little poppy break halfway is actually really good. A catchy track. This is my favourite cartoon. I will only expose my children to Killlboy Powerhead. It’s NOT too violent or racist like they say. The hood is just part of his costume. I don’t even know where that bit was going. This song sounds like a vaguely western themed and highly overblown arena punk song. Oh good! Ska influence. I will try to imagine good bands during these difficult times. Oh no. My brain is not powerful enough. All I can think about is Sublime and wearing pyjamas to Wal-Mart. So much of this stuff has aged horribly and I am incredibly bored. I could sleep if it didn’t feel like I was in the waiting room to watch a Billy Joe Armstrong NFT commercial. The aging of rockstars really is sad. Maybe Kurt Cobain was onto something This is Dropkick Murphy’s for the other coast. The riff has its moments, but the vocal melody is killing me. I’m tired. Is this song really going to be 10 minutes? That may lower this whole thing by a star. Oh wait it’s going to be silence!!! Score. Well I can use this time to ponder my existence and question my enjoyment of rock music overall. A lounge version of “come out and play” brings this 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix loaded with Wendy’s cups and an anti-abortion bumper sticker to its final stop. This went a lot worse than I could’ve even imagined. I hate this particular sound and I think that only grows with time. Who knows. This may come back like multi-coloured ski jackets or baggy jeans, but for now, this hits the ears like a warm trash heap hits a nose. It reminds me of the smelliest and hottest moments of 2005. Which is telling for two reasons. One. This album is like the inverse feeling of nostalgia, and two, I wasn’t there when this WAS fresh. I was learning these songs from aging anger management drop outs who are now right wing. So while that may be partially unfair, I can’t come at it from a different place. This sounds to me like a collection of songs to be belted out by drunk white guys in a half full Staples Centre. There were some songs I enjoyed, but I’m ducking out early, so I can beat the lifted F350s out of the parking lot. 2 HIGHLIGHTS: Come Out and Play, Self Esteem, It’ll Be a Long Time
This album was pretty fun. Nitro started us off with a total banger. Come Out And Play was amazing. Self Esteem was also great. Rest of the album was pretty good. Totally solid. Best song: Come Out And Play
This one didn’t give me the Time to Relax that I needed. This was Not the One for me.
well played and very well recorded straightahead 90s punk rock, let down by whiny vocals
This is great driving rock with a little bit of fun mixed in. You'd think you might get tired of the singer but not so.
Kind of sounds like if Weird Al made a song making fun of punk music. It's okay, I guess. I've always thought they were a novelty joke band.
damn i haven't heard this since i was in high school. nearly forgot i owned the CD Time to Relax - no rating Nitro (Youth Energy) - 3/5 Bad Habit - 3/5 Gotta Get Away - 4/5 Genocide - 3/5 Something to Believe In - 2/5 (i like this until the chorus came in and ruined it) Come Out and Play - 4/5 (a classic, maybe a little overplayed) Self Esteem - 4/5 (same as above) It'll Be a Long Time - 4/5 Killboy Powerhead - 3/5 What Happened to You? - 4/5 So Alone - 3/5 (short track) Not the One - 3/5 Smash - 3/5 Average score: 3.3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ honestly surprised this made its way onto the list of albums to hear before you die. do i agree that this is a *must* hear? absolutely not. this really sounds like "baby's 1st punk album" after re-listening. i enjoyed it a lot as a teen (particularly the first half or so) but even my nostalgia doesn't overshadow the fact that many of the tracks sound same-y. regardless, i've definitely heard worse.
3.5
The kind of album that makes me lament the fact I can't see them live in their heyday.
Couple good songs and a bit more to blend it together, funny intro and outro though.
I’ve always felt Offspring were a “paint by numbers” punk band - packaged as being edgy while their videos played endlessly on MTV. Between that and the vocals, I found them mostly annoying then and still do (although to a somewhat lesser degree now).
Better than solid, the lyrics, hooks, and rhythms blend into a top notch album.
I enjoyed the hell out of this album when it came out, back when I was 20. I haven't listened to it in its entirety for quite a while, so I was a bit apprehensive that it wouldn't hold up. But I still enjoy it. The just-refined-enough punk energy, the alternating serious and humorous lyrics combine to make a fun, entertaining album.
Relentlessly heavy while still being upbeat and catchy. So much energy from a band making the music they want to make. Love a hidden track as well
This is admittedly all nostalgia for me. If I had never heard this album before I don’t think I’d like it as much. But I have so many memories, good and bad, from high school attached to it that I can still revisit this one from time to time and enjoy it. I’ll give it a 4 for the awkward teenager trapped in some dark corner of my mind.
This album has a special place in my heart. I had a lot of emotional events happening when this came out, and this was on my life's soundtrack. Very nostalgic. I actually like their album before this one, Ignition, better. This one s a bit more refined. Their first album is nice and raw, too. I can't really listen to anything after this one, as I think they just turned to shit. Genocide, Something to Believe In, and Not the One are favorites. Solid 4 from me.
I didn't own this, yet somehow I must have heard the album before because there were a few things here (other than the many radio hits) that sounded familiar. Maybe I borrowed the CD from a friend once? In any case I have a clear memory of liking these aforementioned radio hits when I was in middle school. 3.5
For me not being much of a punk fan, I feel like this is a punk album for people who are not that into punk, if that makes any sense. I guess really it's pop punk with catchy melodies and hooks that can appeal to a wider audience. Maybe a real punk connoisseur might not like Offspring, but to me this album is just more digestable than the hardcore punk because of it's melodic appeal. I always liked this album more than Green Day who I thought at the time was their counterpart. There's so many singable parts on this album and the singer has a very recognizable voice. I am going to guess that they were influenced by the Ramones.
I am not and have never been a teenage boy, it is the sort of thing my now 12-year-old will inflict on me shortly, joy! having said that is ok to do the very boring bookkeeping to
A favorite of mine from my high school days. From start to finish I was jamming out to this one singing along.
I fell asleep
This album conjures some of my cringiest memories, being released during my tween years. But I have to say it holds up pretty well. The band and production is pretty tight and the lyrical delivery is crisp and more understandable than others in its glass. They are pop punk, but they have an edge at times - and at others they find melody and fun in their ska overlap. Not a bad album for what it is.
Solid punk record, music was good, vocals were not. Songwriting was solid, enjoyed "Gotta Get Away" and "Self Esteem" Overall, not an album I will return to but this was a fine listening experience, even if I won't seek out this band in the future.
One of the very first albums i even listened too
In spite of being one of the most successful melodic hardcore/punk albums, it still sounds fierce, which is more than can be said about all the bands that were influenced by it. Poppy, fast and enjoyable!
5 stars
A solid punk album
I see the appeal, but this just isn't my thing. The best way I can describe this record is that it's "fun." However, it's more "fun" in that it revives memories of a certain aesthetic that it does more to reinforce than define.
A lot of nostalgia points here, but i'm not ashamed to admit it.
There were a lot of hits on here. Some of them I never realized were over 4min long, which seems crazy to me for a pop-punk hit. The production holds up, but pop-punk has still got to be “your thing” I think for this album to hit right
Only heard some singles before. Genuinely just not my thing but Dexter Holland is my birthday buddy so I cannot say a bad thing about him 2/5
solid good.
Punk 2.0 was never my thing. Too clean and shiny. But this had its moments.
Great album. No misses.
Before Elon Musk was “moving fast and breaking shit”, The Offspring did exactly that in the 90s - and this album is the perfect encapsulation of that. Except unlike Musk, the Offspring don’t completely fucking suck
Never was a big fan of the Offspring in general, album is OK.
A classic Smash! But not worthy of higher praise
I have never enjoyed The Offspring. This album didn’t change my opinion.
decent melodic punk
90s. Cool kids listened to this. Fuck them tho.
I’ve never been a huge fan of Dexter, which is a shame because his vocals are probably Offsprings’ most distinctive feature. There’s always been something disingenuous about his “punkness” that rubbed me the wrong way. Plus he has sort of a punchable face, which might be more of a personal problem than anything else. That being said… Smash is probably the definitive mid-90s pop punk album. This and Dookie are the albums that created the safe space for bands like Blink-182 and Sum-41 to really take off. I’m not a huge fan of the biggest hits off of Smash. Bad Habit has got to be my favorite of them all, since in my opinion the Offspring is best when they are full-octane, rather than focused on writing hits. This is undoubtedly their best work and what was to come would be some of the worst, cringiest work of the late 90s. 3.8/5
The top review (at time of writing) calls this the Taco Bell of punk. That's a pretty good comparison, but I'd give it a 3 for that reason. Like Taco Bell, it tastes pretty good/gets you pumped up while eating/listening to it, but when shitting/thinking about the music afterwards, you realise it wasn't that great.
Skate punk classic
This is where I’d appreciate half stars again - it really starts to rip from “Come Out and Play” on
Honesty, could be worse. 3.5
This gets a whole extra star for Come Out And Play
reminds me of high school and summer time
Great stuff
5/10 I got this soon after Dookie by Green Day, so the comparisons are inevitable. I preferred this one. GD seemed like tourists into punk, Offspring seemed like insiders who were exploring into genres outside of punk. Quite fun. But the massive problem - and one I knocked a star off for - is that this album needs an edit. Too many songs, at least 10 minutes too long. It became tiring. Best: Come out and Play
Great album. Steady sound, fun vibe, and a few classics that I love.
Already a fan of The Offspring, so instantly enjoyed this. Never listened to the whole of this album, so was great to find some hidden gems
you gotta keep ‘em separated..🤘
tiene energía pero
Pretty fun album. Loved the 5 minutes of silence at the end
Here we go! One of the monster albums of my youth. Skater punk, lets go. I was a teenage white boy when this came out into punk rock and new wave, I could not be any more target audience. Self Esteem was everywhere with that awesome bass riff. Songs about being angry and frustrations of all kinds. Furious drumming. Catchy riffs exploding everywhere. Throw in a song decrying gun violence that was also everywhere in the clubs. Plus some really great punk ska (which I was also heavily into). Songs so fast that they come out fully formed and last just 1:17. Round it off with the title track which is just brilliant. Yep. Sign me up. They didn't do a great deal good after this, basically just Ixnay and The Kids Aren't Alright. But this record and Ignition stand up to their best attempts to piss all over their legacy since. In my heart of hearts I know there's a lot to criticise, and it's dumb, and I don't disagree with some of the negative comments, however this simply got it's hooks into me before I conceived of those notions, and well, job done basically.
- The most 'yeah's per capita of any band. - Have always enjoyed the raw sound of the Offspring over their 90s punk contemporaries (like Green Day); the underlying hint of violence that comes from Holland's vocals gives me the same thrill as the Sex Pistols. - A lot of super solid tracks here ("Nitro," "Bad Habit," "Gotta Get Away," "Self Esteem"). But while they do a good job if mixing up rhythms and tempos, sometimes even mid-song, their songs do eventually start to blend together. - "Come Out and Play" is catchy as fuck. But having that be their breakout when they are a very white band essentially calling out observed black gang violence...not the best.
I’m definitely biased because I love Dexter Holland. You’d think his voice would become grating after a while, but it doesn’t for me. Angsty lyrics with a touch of wit. Love it.
God, dit voelt echt als een verwaterde, slechtere versie van punk. Ik geloof meteen dat dit op de Tony Hawk soundtrack stond, maar die vond ik door nostalgie wel heel vet en dit niet. Het voelt eerder als een gast die Tony Hawk speelde en dacht 'Dit kan ik ook!' en het dan vooral net niet goed heeft nagedaan. God, wat haat ik Punk toch, ook dit soort verwaterde, meer poppy punk. Het is allemaal keiharde gitaar en dan een beetje schreeuwen. Maarja, mensen zullen vast hetzelfde zeggen van hiphop of elektronische muziek. 10 minuten durende laatste nummer? Zoek het uit, ik ga Tony Hawk spelen. FAVO: What happened to you
The little skits were actually quite fun
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this given the genre is not generally to my taste. Wouldn't put it on repeat but really a nice surprise
its ok. some nice tunes
Classic.
Pretty solid
One of my foundational bands and this is them at the height of their sound. Funny, angry, but still listenable
I hadn't thought about this album in a long time. I was honestly shocked when I saw that it was the album of the day. There's soemthing about this album that really transports me back to this time frame. Waiting to hear Keep em seperated on the radio, or seeing them perform Self Esteem at the X-games. it's also amazing that this album really holds up. I listened to it, 2 times yesterday and didn't feel like it was dated or anything.
Dookie Lite
Not one for me
Highlights: Nitro, Genocide, Come Out and Play. In a nutshell: show me the mosh pit... This is entry level skate punk. Not a bad thing. It's fast, fun, loud and encourage you to cut loose. Disappointed that we will not get Pennywise, Blink-182 and NOFX :( Overall: 6/10
Classic 90's.
Great punk album. No skip songs and no rest throughout.
The voice.....
Feel no need to listen a second time, but enjoyed it while it lasted
More of a 3.5 but high school university me loved it.
Listened to this while playing On Mars solo. I thought I won, but several hours later I realized I lost. This album brings me back to playing Crazy Taxi on the Dreamcast. Definitely a time capsule moment. I'd give this a 3.5 if I could, but I'm rounding down.
I had to stop as soon as I self esteem came on. Couldn’t take anymore
Fun!
The perfect amount of screaming
If you're going to listen to pop punk, make it The Offspring.
Not my kind of music 😜
Banger
not terrible
Fine. This album is very good at what it does, but what it does is not for me. The big songs on here were played to death back in the day. I like punk but something about this album’s twist on it doesn’t grab me.
Not as bad as I remembered it, but you know, not great, and honestly inessential to my ears. As a wiser man than I once said, “They should replace this with Presidents of the United States of America
I didn’t hate this. It was pretty meh. I loved the 90s-ness of it. References to compact discs, hidden tracks, trying to sound like Nirvana, etc. A solid three, but nothing special for me. I’d categorize this as “a nice try.”
Classic
The most tony hawk pro skater album to ever tony hawk pro skater
This is some basic bro, construction site, NHL video game soundtrack music.
oh my GOD 😭
Pre-listening thoughts: I KNEW we were gonna get this album today. Don’t ask me how. I’m not psyched about it though. I feel like we’ve been getting a lot of loud music recently - a lot of 90s grunge, metal, alt, etc. so I was hoping for something of a different pace. Manifesting an album by a woman for tomorrow. Also special shoutout to the kid from Jedi Junior High whose dad was in the Offspring. That was crazy figuring that out upon rewatch. Sadly his fav song (Stuff Gets Messed Up) isn’t on this album, but Greg K (his dad) isn’t in the band anymore either. Post/during listening thoughts: I completely zoned out during this sorry. You may be thinking “how the hell did you zone out during an album that’s so loud?” To that I say, I’m just incredibly talented. The speaking interludes made me wildly uncomfortable though. This isn’t the worst of 90s punk I’ve heard but I’m not loving it. This marks the fourth two star rating in a row I’ve given, and the 6th two star album in 8 days. Please let me get a good one for album 200 tomorrow 🙏 4/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope Fav tracks: Self Esteem Least fav tracks: Smash. Why is there like 8 mins of silence.
Annoying voice
I think it's more a 3.5 although some great tracks on this
Self esteem… classic. Not my typical but it’s pretty good
Familiar, fun, fast, classic. Thoroughly enjoy. Its not something I'd put on intentionally, but I had fun listening to the album.
There are some good songs here! Punk always reminds me of the past as does this album. I grew up and moved on, but good to know it is still around.
Like this one more than anticipated! The vocals are unique and definitely a highlight. Stand out was "come out and play" for me.
You stupid dumb shit god damn motherfucker!
This album came out a few years before I got into “secular” music when I was in middle school in the late 90’s (raised super conservatively). Songs from The Offspring’s 1998 album Americana were all over hit radio, and they were some of my early favorites. I didn’t discover Smash until many years later. What a great album from start to finish. It’s pretty much perfectly executed, and there’s really no filler in its 46 minutes except for the silence before the bonus track. The welcoming radio host reminds me of Songs for the Deaf by QOTSA a decade later. I thought I was going to give this 4 stars, but it’s perfect for what it tries to be.
Not for me an insisting upon itself
Solid effort into the pop punk fray
Still super solid after many years. Eventually the songs start to sound samey towards the end, but the best songs here still are great
At the age of 12 I was in the back of mom's car with my best buddy listening to this album on cassette with a portable boom box. Bad Habit starts playing with nervous excitement and anticipation. The breakdown starts and we turn it up knowing what the result will be. Mom grounded me for a week and took my tape away. Luckily it was only a copy of the original I hid in my bedroom.
Smash is a headbanger; fast paced and loud. Sounded like every song was a Weird Al cover, which isn’t a bad thing. Come Out And Play leads the way and is far better than all the other songs on the album. (3.3*s)
Smash was the gateway to radio punk and there's nothing to dislike. I'm not surprised to see it on the list although I do wish the list featured some less mainstream bands. There's better punk albums from this same time but it seems to favor commercial success. Anyway, I've listened to this album so many times and it still holds up (though I can't believe it's 30+ years old). One thing the passage of time can't steal, playing minute 2:40 of "Bad Habit" into people's answering machines at max volume, that never got old. I forgot how good the 90's were, such simpler times. This was a really enjoyable listen, very strong, no skips, a smash down memory lane. 3.45.
When you think iconic albums of the 90s, this one pops up for sure. The Offspring were essential in bringing more palatable punk music to the masses. Some great tracks on this album and really not a bad one. The cover art is great too and very recognizable. I hope we get a good 90s run from the list going. Been looking to own this album on vinyl for a while now...3.63.
The Offspring kick ass. Smash rocks pretty much from start to finish. 'Nuff said. Give me more solid 90's rock and I'm going to love it every time. The Offspring had an pretty incredible run in the 90's that is often overlooked and deserves another look. I look forward to (hopefully) at least one more entry from them. 3.69 stars
Good energy a bit rough and loud
I had a lot of fun. This is how pop punk should sound! Low 4 for this one. I hear a lot of Nirvana in it and it’s pretty basic stuff but still 47 minutes of nonstop fun
generic rock
Fav song: Self Esteem Classic punk album from one of the GOATs of American punk music. Shame how hard they fell off later in their career but it doesn’t stop this album from being legendary.
Best album ever
Very fun. Few classics.
I love me some 80s-90’s west coast garage/punk/rock. Great live in the early 90’s
not the best Offspring but it was my gateway album.
A classic of mid-90s punk. A lot of people looking at this album, and probably Dookie by Green Day, may blame them for the subsequent watering down and pop-ification of punk. In other words, would there be any Blink 182 if it wasn't for these albums? I'm not sure what the answer to that is, but the answer doesn't change the fact that this album is rock solid, with banger after banger. It holds up from my teenage years--I've actually listened to it quite often in recent months after probably a big break. I'm not as familiar with their albums after this one, but none of the Offspring stuff I've heard gets near this album as a complete package. Raw energy, great melodies, social commentary.
Funny intro but nope
Juvenileish punk rock not terrible
This was the album that really introduced the Offspring to the world. Perfect post punk from 1994. Still a good listen when I'm in the mood for uptempo, angsty rock.
i have some nostalgia for self esteem but this sucks ass! and my spotify glitched when i tried to listen, fittingly
Some albums from the 90s feel like they couldn't be made today and this is likely one of them. There are some questionable scenarios here that would likely be problematic today, but those songs still do enjoy good bit of radio time today too. For as much as I listened to this album back in the day, I don't remember a lot of these songs, but I also think I probably had it stuck on repeat for "Come out and Play" the whole time, partly because it was my favorite, partly so my mom didn't hear some of the other songs. For me now there are 3 solid tracks I'll be adding to my playlist and maybe a 4th. Is this the best album in the world? No. Did it age well? Not really. But the band has a unique place in the timeline here and are still around today. Props to them for having something so immature last so long. Don't get me wrong I'm also immature and why I've got several songs on my playlist today. Favorite track "Come out and Play" 3.5/4
4.38
not my cup of tea
Is this album really well put together and fun? Absolutely. Am I tinted by nostalgia? Absolutely. Is the fact I played this on stage a fair bit stroking an ego I didn't know I even had? Probably. 5* it made me learn something about myself.
Got this album at my 14th birthday party. Think my friend Tom got it for me. Still shreds. "Self Esteem" is my favorite. Also, funny story. An old boss of mine, when writers would talk about combining posts — and losing the opportunity for the traffic that would come from two different headlines — would always say: "You gotta keep 'em separated."
The album that made me quit this project for 14 months. Utter pish.
CD
I mean what can you say. Like all thirteen year olds, I had an offspring phase, a time when continuous yelling was one of life's main joys. Nostalgia kept me listening, but this is one of those albums whose deep tracks really make you appreciate the hits that much more. The main saving grace is how much Holland must have loved Nevermind, so just go listen to that instead. Christ just made it to what happened to you. Thought my review was over but God what in the world happened to this song. The silence is smash is welcome.
I love this album. It was one of the first ones I bought as a young kid learning to find my own music. I set it aside after a while, but for some reason it has come back into my life lately. I love the hard punk edge. I love Dexter Holland's piercing voice. The messages remind me of some of life's events when I was in college, but some of the other songs seem pretty relevant in today's world too...
This is a great punk album that crossed into mainstream and remained punk. It's also a band that I have never checked out beyond this album, so shame on me. I'll do that now.
Another pleasant surprise. I knew the singles, but had always avoided the album, assuming it would be rather jejune. Which it is, but it’s also energetic and fun, not too serious or taxing, and an overall good time.
I actually quite liked the music and the messiness/punk-sound of it, and if I do my best to listen through the sound of Dexter Holland's voice I can kind of enjoy the album. Unfortunately, my personal antipathy for his way of singing is enough for me to never want to sit through an Offspring album again.
downloaded 3,4,5,7&11
Yeah!!! Whoa-oaa-oa!!
es bueno, el mejor es Conspiracy of One though
Meeehhh
After several plays really got into this. Hard, brash and some great tunes.
Fun 90s punk
Revisit this
I know this group, but somehow I have never listened to their music. I liked the album and decided to listen to some more songs from this group and what was my surprise when I had already heard many of their songs. I recommend it to everyone - a great band and a great album.
I've heard this record so many times. Bored now. Was of its time in 1994. Today, 30 years later, not as much.
Didn't hate it, but won't listen again.
I don't think anything else quite sounds like the Offspring. They're societal critique is so well delivered with the wall of sound and distortion they delivery. They rock hard and insult harder.
it's aight not great not bad either i did not really like the way he sings or his voice so the album felt kinda long even though it's only around 45 mins i might listen to again sometime but for now it is just aight. :)
Not sure I think this album is a 2 straight up, but in the context of 1001 albums you must hear before you die, it feels appropriate to identify it as the lower end. I respect the significance of what this album + Dookie (which is the better project by a country mile, IMO) did for punk pop in the mid 90's but nothing is all that impressive on this LP. Middle school me enjoyed this type of album heavily- and to its credit, the raw, youthful, spit in your face energy is probably far and away its best quality. BUT, rather than being nostalgic, I think I just find myself glad to have outgrown the Green Day/Offspring phase.
Solid record, very much a 90s punk record. Maybe a little repetitive but worth a listen
Ugh.
I like the mainstream punk of The Offspring. It's fast and dirty. But you can still recognize melodies and rhythm. It's just fun. This album is no exception. The track Self Esteem finds its place in my list of favorites. After listening to the album, I played The Offspring for quite a while. That was great. 5/5
3 maybe 4
I have a hard time getting through an entire song sung by the singer of this band. If you played in a rock band in the '90s, it was hard to get away from them in 1994/5 thanks to "Self Esteem", "Keep Em Separated" and "Gotta Get Away". This version of punk became mainstream and similarly-minded bands were everywhere. Listening to this now, I could enjoy "Genocide", which is a weird thing to say considering what it's about, but just the fact that it has more of a gang vocal approach saves it for me. Something about the tone of the dude's voice just makes me want to claw my ears off. The band is tight as hell and some of the songs are good high octane hard rock. I prefer Bad Religion when I want to be sonically bludgeoned by a band like this, but I can't deny the popularity these guys had.
Ljudet av mitt pojkrum. Till skillnad från en del andra skivor som gick varma i de tidiga tonåren (typ RATM) så falnade glöden inför musiken med åren. Även om Self Esteem är en evig sing-a-long. En riktig klassiker i genren.
I enjoy a lot of these songs individually but a whole album is a bit much for me
'Smash' by The Offspring remains a landmark in punk history, capturing the raw energy and rebellious spirit of the '90s. Released in 1994, it hit me like a freight train when I first heard it—its brash, high-octane sound was everywhere, from locker rooms to skate parks. The album's mix of razor-sharp riffs, infectious hooks, and unrelenting pace made it stand out, with tracks like "Self Esteem," "Come Out and Play," and "Bad Habit" becoming anthems of teenage frustration. The Offspring's tight musicianship, from Dexter Holland's snarling vocals to Greg K.'s relentless basslines, blended with Thom Wilson's production to create a sound that was both tight and raw, paving the way for the punk-pop era that would follow. While the album’s formula works wonders, it occasionally falls into repetition, especially toward the end. The band’s signature move of switching tempos mid-song can be a bit predictable. Still, this is a minor critique—the album’s energy never dips, and even the weaker tracks carry the same intensity. 'Smash' wasn't just a punk album; it was a cultural phenomenon that broke through mainstream consciousness, influencing bands like Blink-182 and Sum 41. Thirty years on, its status as the highest-selling independent album of all time speaks volumes about its lasting impact, proving that punk was never just for the underground.
Brings back memories of my youth. Although kinda commercialized punk, still nice to hear.
How To Be Irritated for 47 Minutes Straight.
I like how the intro is like relax then goes into 90s hell yeah monster energy. Skate skate skate! Bad habit is actually so real lmao. I like the skate punk bangers more than the more poppy cuts. I hate hidden tracks but these ones are actually cool cause there basically just instrumentals of songs heard earlier on the album. It’s like a little treat or extra not a whole new song you have to slog through 5 minutes of silence to get through
if the beastie boys made punk rock instead
avg album
idk
I can't take this... Their hearts are in the right place at least. Did you know Dexter Holland has a PhD in molecular biology?
Music is alright, not something I would get out of my way to hear, maybe a greatest hits type of thing.
you gotta hand it to em
As someone who loves punk rock, Smash by The Offspring is an absolute gem. This album perfectly captures the raw energy and rebellious spirit of the genre while also showcasing the band's knack for catchy melodies and biting lyrics The first thing that strikes me about Smash is its relentless pace and attitude. Tracks like "Self Esteem" and "Come Out and Play" are iconic, with their unforgettable hooks and relatable themes. Dexter Holland’s vocals balance between melodic and angsty, which works brilliantly for the album's overall vibe. Noodles' guitar work is another standout, with riffs that are as gritty as they are memorable. Lyrically, the album tackles themes like disillusionment, social alienation, and personal struggle, all of which still feel relevant today. The energy in songs like "Gotta Get Away" and the title track, "Smash," feels authentic, and the mix of aggression and melody ensures the album stays dynamic from start to finish. Another highlight is the production. Despite being independently released, it sounds polished without losing that raw punk edge. The album flows well, and it’s easy to get lost in its high-energy beats and emotionally charged moments. if i had to If I had to nit-pick, some tracks, like "Something to Believe In," feel a bit overshadowed by the album’s heavy hitters. They’re not bad, but they don’t quite have the same punch as the standouts. Additionally, while Smash stays true to its punk roots, it occasionally borders on repetitiveness, especially if you listen to it all in one go If I had to nit-pick, some tracks, like "Something to Believe In," feel a bit overshadowed by the album’s heavy hitters. They’re not bad, but they don’t quite have the same punch as the standouts. Additionally, while Smash stays true to its punk roots, it occasionally borders on repetitiveness, especially if you listen to it all in one go. it delivers relentless riffs and relatable themes. While a few tracks feel overshadowed and slightly repetitive, its impact on punk is undeniable. A must-listen for fans, it’s a fiery reminder of why punk rock remains so electrifying.
Went into this expecting to be a big-time hater. Offspring (and pop punk by extension) have always been at odds with my personal tastes, and I've continually been turned off by Dexter Hamilton's voice. I am pleasantly surprised to say that not only is this album enjoyably consistent and relatable, but I actually have come around to tolerating Dexter's screeches. They're pretty great honestly but I never thought they were "bad" just not fer me, ya know? Like Geddy Lee haters. Also Forrest review Moving Pictures again. 4.5/5
I remember being a child going to the swap meet with my grandparents to sell they made. I don't remember where it was but it was somewhere south and hot. I was super bored and hated being there and walked around all day looking at stuff. For wahtever reason fell in love with a bonsai tree. There was a place there that sold bonsai trees and they made me feel a sense of wonder and whimsy that I can't explain. I asked the owner about them and caring about them and told me they can live for a long time if you cared for them. I I somehow managed to get one for 5 dollars and convincing my parents to get me it. I have a vivid memory of hearing Handlebars by Flobots in my grandpa's pickup truck while caressing the top of the tree. I can't remember what it looked like but the porcelain base of it. A blue paint on ceramic that was trying hard to look porcelain. I feel i also heard a song off this album on the way back but im not sure. It might have been a system of the down song. It doesn't really matter but I remember that listening to this and it was a wonderful memory.
I remember I was gap-yearing it out in the basement of one of my best friend (at the time)'s rental houses, and we had held the yearly tradition of our summer cook-out called the 'steak and bake', where we all cooked for each other and partied like none other. My friends' dad, relatively fresh post-divorce, picked up a stack of CDs I'd brought with me, and my boombox, as I was triaging through my first time making steamed shrimp dumplings. He picked up the recently purchased 'Smash', flipped the case over, nodded, and looked at me and said, 'you got some good shit', and then proceeded to next pick up 'Because The Internet' and stare at me strangely as I bastardized a hoisin sauce. Have some angst. 8/10
6/10 “It just makes sense” is the best way I can put it. This album manages to be appeal to every youth in the mid to late 90s. Dexter’s goofy ass vocals over really energetic Skate Punk soundtracks the adolescent who’s too high on discontinued energy drinks eating shit on concrete trying to jump a set of stairs, and the shithead nihilistic teenage slacker who punches holes in his wall as he resonates with the very angsty, witty, songwriting. It’s fun, and annoying a lot of the times but mostly fun, and I wouldn’t really be upset at the thought of having this album in their Mount Rushmore of Pop Punk or whatever. Maybe I’ll enjoy it more once I learn how to do an Ollie
Had some fun grunge and Ska like elements. Not a 5 as there was some songs I didn't care for, like the 10 minute one that goes silent for a while
Ahh... Nothing like kicking back to a little pop punk. Putting my feet up, sipping a diet Canada Dry that I wish wasn't a diet... These are the good times, people. For real, though, I do really love pop punk a lot. Which, OK, there was a part of me that hesitated on saying "love," 'coz I don't normally listen to much outside of Green Day, blink-182 and Sunrise Skater Kids — but I wanna emphasize how much I do truly love pop punk. It's a genre I could swear by, truly. Even the worst stuff, that was trying way too hard to relate to "the youths" — see stuff like Simple Plan or Good Charlotte — heck, it's still pop punk. As if I haven't spun Simple Plan's "Grow Up" more than once. So, what about The Offspring specifically, then? Despite being one of the Big 4 of pop punk in my mind (don't ask me who the other two are), I actually haven't listened to them much. Of course there's songs from them I play regularly, mostly singles: "Come Out And Play" (no duh), "Pretty Fly" ('cuz Weird Al parodied it), "Why Don't You Get A Job" ('cuz it's an "Ob-La-Di, "Ob-La Da" parody), "The Kids Aren't Alright" (that one's just awesome)... But I haven't played any of their albums like I have DOOKIE or ENEMEA OF THE STATE or... Goodness, even Sum 41's ALL KILLER NO FILLER. For the longest time I wasn't able to place my finger on why exactly, but I think after re-listening to SMASH I finally understand. Let's get this out of the way before anything else: SMASH is good. Amazing, even, actually. Top-tier pop punk, 5/5, no notes. It goes as hard as any of the other three albums I mentioned above. But if there's any reason why I don't reach for this first, honestly... It's the snot and attitude. Neither of those elements are entirely absent, but you just compare Dexter Holland's voice to Billie Joe's, or Tom's or Mark's, or Deryck's — you get it, right? The Offspring strike me as being way similar to, like, NOFX or Bad Religion. Those are bands I love, too, but I'm not sure if I'd call either of them "pop punk." Y'know, it's melodic hardcore, skate punk... Good stuff all; I'm just not as into as I am regular ol' pop punk. I think the short version of what I'm tryna explain here is "The Offspring are often more serious than I prefer." Just being 100 about my tastes. All said, though, of course, like I said above, I'm still giving this a 5/5. It rocks too hard and I had too much of a good time not to, even if it's not usually my thing. After all, punk, poppy or melodically hardcore, soothes even the most savage of beasts. (Hidden tracks don't, though. I can appreciate them in a pre-streaming age, but these days, unless they're split up like "Her Majesty"? Just a hassle, goodness.)
The 90s gave us plenty of excellent punk albums, and this one is certainly no exception. Solid 5 Stars.
I’m at a 5. Before listening, the only tracks by The Offspring I really knew were “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)”, and their contributions to the Crazy Taxi soundtrack. I'm glad they've got more than that in their bag. In a weird way, I suppose I’m listening to the birth of the soundtrack of the late 90s at play here – not necessarily as impactful or as timeless as Nirvana, but just as important. Nirvana might’ve captured a post-Reagan anger across the entire U.S., but this feels like it’s capturing a more youthful side of that population – college kids, high schoolers & the like. It’s the sort of music that endured well into the mid-2000s, to match a sort of juvenile swagger of the time, tinged with just a hint of regret. I should know, because I sort of grew up on it. It’s reflected in the music too – a little messier, a little more unpolished, a bit over-the-top at times, certainly a bit cheesier & really in your face. I don’t think I’d have it any other way. The ancestors of punk rock are all present here (The Clash, Dead Kennedys, Sex Pistols, etc), but with a grunge-infused 90s flair that’s somehow both trapped within its time and nostalgic all the same. The guitar riffs are loud and booming, the percussion a little crazy and manic, and the energy is simply undeniable from track to track. Sure, a few of them suffer from the whole “first minute is the whole track” syndrome that will end up plaguing the “pop punk” era as a whole, but for the most part, I think a lot of these tracks miraculously avoid sounding too similar. I dunno, perhaps I’m just a bit overstimulated and impressed by how much I enjoyed this (or how much of a throwback it is for me), but for my tastes, I think I have to give this a 5. It’s definitely not perfect, but it’s a pretty damn good 40+ minutes, and while it’s absolutely going to bounce off of other people, I’m more than willing to lean into this style and embrace it, however flawed it is. It’s my type of 90s cheesy punk rock, and I really, really liked it. No shame in a 5 – certainly no less than a 3.
classic
Never been a fan. Too much goofiness and not enough substance
Mmm no.
Aside from self esteem and come out and play I really liked it'll be a long time. A solid album if a bit repetitive but that's just their style so no points deducted.
I'm already not a huge fan of pop punk-adjacent stuff, it's simply not my thing and generally it can be pretty uninteresting. If I can give Smash something is the fact that it's not trying to be like most pop punk I heard by being real simple and having the worst vocals ever, it was more along the lines of regular punk rock stuff and it's pretty alright at that, if you like some kind of punk rock with some 90s production I don't see how this wouldn't tickle your fancy by being the exact kind of upbeat punk that many think of, but is it for me? Absolutely not, but I had a better time with it than I expected so I'm pleased about that
Smells like Green Day, gotta keep 'em separated otherwise they are indistinguishable.
Love the intro, but the songs all sound alike to me.