Artist: The Offspring
Recording: Ixnay On The Hombre
Label:Columbia
Players: Dexter Holland: vocals, guitar/ Greg K: bass/ Noodles: guitar, vocals/ Ron Welty: drums/ Jello Biafra: vocals/ John Mayer: vocals/ Jason "Blackball" McLean: vocals/ Paulinho Dacosta: percussion/ Davey Havok: vocals/ Larry "Bud" Melman: vocals
Producer: Dave Jerden

I walked into this album figuring it would suck. It’s their major label debut (which always implies "sell-out"). Well damn it, I was wrong. Ixnay on the Hombre is actually a really good rockin’ album. I really tried to hate this album, but it’s too darn catchy.

Ixnay on the Hombre isn’t some kind of progressive tour de force, but it is fun as hell! You just know they’re having a good time with it, putting a lounged-out intermission tune, a ska tune, and an end quip by David Letterman crony, Larry "Bud" Melman in the mix. The Offspring’s aggro-rock sound is best exemplified on "The Meaning of Life", "Mota" (the best track on the album), and "All I Want". They’re all just pure aggressive rock tunes. The Offspring also do a fine job on "Me & My Old Lady" (which has a slight Jane’s Addiction feel to it). It’s Middle Eastern sound is super infectious. However the real kicker is the intro. It’s a parental advisory rant done by veteran offender of the innocent, Jello Biafra. It’s totally classic! In closing, don’t be put off by this album because it’s somehow uncool to like a major label debut. Ixnay on the Hombre is actually a just really solid and entertaining album.

By Jack Harrum, from Spinal Column