AMG Review of Offspring [Japan Bonus DVD]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine
All Music Guide

On their eighth album, Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace, the Offspring rant about George W. Bush's America and all the crass consumerism accompanying it, and also snipe at dance beats on "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid" -- complete with a "dance f***er dance" chorus -- which is par for the course for the Offspring, who always seems to get a neo-novelty tune out of some rhythm or fad they don't like. Nothing changes their attitude or their attack, as they still favor frenzied downstroked guitars and shout-along choruses. Still, the Offspring can't quite hide the passing of time, as they start to drift into power ballads and angsty anthems like "Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?," which feels tailor-made for a CW TV show. Such softening of their stance illustrates that it's impossible to avoid maturity. [This edition released in Japan includes a bonus track.]