Offspring Americana CD

This is an Enhanced audio CD, which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Offspring: Dexter Holland (vocals, guitar); Noodles (guitar, background vocals); Greg K (bass); Ron Welty (drums).
Additional personnel: John Mayer, Higgins "X-13", Heidi Villagran, Nika Futterman Frost (vocals); Calvert "Larry Bud Melman" DeForest (spoken vocals); Derrick Davis (flute); Gabe McNair, Phil Jordan (horns); Jack Grisham, Davey Havok, Jim Lindberg (background vocals).
Mariachi Campestre: Carlos Gomez (guitar); Raul Garibay (guitaron); Miguel Gonzales (violin); Pedro Pina (trumpet); Alvaro Macias (bihuela).
Recorded at Eldorado Recording Studio, Burbank, California.
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Personnel: Dexter Holland, Noodles (vocals, guitar); John Mayer (vocals); Carlos Goméz (guitar); Derrick Davis (flute); Phil Jordan , Gabrial McNair (horns); Ron Welty (drums); Higgins, Nika Futterman Frost, Heidi Villagran (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Dave Jerden.
Recording information: Eldorado Recording Studio, Burbank, CA.
With integrity intact and a hearty combination of poppy punk and wit throughout, the Offspring's fifth album is a raucous ride through America as seen through the eyes of a weary, but still optimistic, young kid. Riffs on political correctness, '70s radio fodder, and suburban disquiet are spread thick on Americana. If the band's targets seem a bit simple and predictable, its music rarely is. The SoCal roots aren't played to a fault, the blend of salsa and alterna-rock sounds natural, and the Offspring pretty much laugh at their culture, as well as themselves, the entire time. Best track is "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)," which manages to bridge Def Leppard and Latin hip-hop (and the musical timeline they represent) and, in the process, disrobes Middle America's average white teen's quick fascination with and instant disposability of a once-regional heritage. With Americana, the Offspring are merely contributing their part. ~ Michael Gallucci
AMERICANA continues the contradiction fostered by the Offspring with IXNAY ON THE HOMBRE; that of an anarchistic punk band signing up with and using the resources of a mighty recording industry monolith. Diatribes aside, these southern California punks have continued concocting breakneck-paced songs that combine intelligent lyrics with rapid-fire rhythms and shredding guitar.
Going beyond their punk credentials means the Offspring mix in a few curves that keep the listener guessing. "Why Don't You Get A Job" uses horns and a steel drum to underline misgivings about awarding alimony for either sex. "Pay the Man" uses Middle Eastern chord changes to achieve an Arabic feel that eventually gives way to a punkier arrangement. Even on"Feelings," the schmaltzy lounge lizard anthem, Dexter Holland's style of spitting out the words gives the slight number new life. The cleverly wrought "Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)" looks at white kids emulating an inner-city life style through the prism of daytime talk shows. Despite this experimentation, the Offspring cling to their punk roots with a steadfast determination that defines songs dealing with the pitfalls of growing up in the '90s ("The Kids Aren't Alright") and the emotional baggage brought into relationships ("She's Got Issues").Rolling Stone (12/10/98, pp.121-123) - 3 (out of 5) - "...pogo-pony polka beats; bass lines that fly on a carpet of eighth notes; zooming, solo-free guitar riffs; and lots of 'whoah-ohhh!' sing-along parts..."
Entertainment Weekly (11/20/98, p.132) - "Any post-punk ESPN2 band can bash the crap out of its instruments, but the Offspring do it up right, with crafty yell-odies and winky lyrics. On their fifth, they sound as volatile as ever..." - Rating: B+
CMJ (11/23/98, p.3) - "...the songs on AMERICANA are classic Offspring, not just because they're marked by thick guitar chords and the familiar tone of Dexter Holland's voice, but also because they're packed with the cheeky humor that made the band's breakthrough, SMASH, such a hit..."