Born to create punk anthems

The Offspring have knack for expressing teen angst

CONSPIRACY OF ONE
Offspring
(Sony)

I'm sure these Orange County, Calif., pop-punk vets would be thrilled to know the following:

My threshold for pain reached a new level after the monster success of their truly irritating single, Pretty Fly (For A White Guy), from 1998's Americana, which sold 10 million copies worldwide.

I think, more than anything, it's the actual sound of lead singer Dexter Holland's thin, high voice that really gets to me on that song.

Thankfully, nothing is nearly as offensive tomy ears on their latest effort, produced by Brendan O'Brien (Rage Against The Machine, Korn, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam).

The first single, Original Prankster, even made me laugh out loud with its lyrics: "Crime, Crime, Rockin' Like Janet Reno, Time, Time, Eighteen and Life In Chino."

The band -- rounded out by guitarist Noodles, bassist Greg K and drummer Ron Welty -- kicks the energy up a notch on Want You Bad, Million Miles Away, Dammit I Changed Again, One Fine Day and the title track.

But its two slower-tempoed rockers -- Denial Revisited and Vultures -- that display real growth in terms of the band's guitar sound.

Otherwise, Conspiracy Of One shows off The Offspring's talent for expressing teen angst through simple, three-chord punk anthems.

More good news? This fast and furious collection runs under 40 minutes.

Track Listing

1. Intro
2. Come Out Swinging
3. Original Prankster
4. Want You Bad
5. Million Miles Away
6. Dammit, I Changed Again
7. Living In Chaos
8. Special Delivery
9. One Fine Day
10. All Along
11. Denial, Revisited
12. Vultures
13. Conspiracy Of One

By Jane Stevenson, from "Toronto Sun" - December 24th, 2000