The Offspring - SUPERCHARGED (Album Review)
The Offspring - SUPERCHARGED
Released: October 11, 2024
Line Up
Dexter Holland // Vocals, Guitar
Noodles // Lead Guitar
Todd Morse // Bass
Brandon Pertzborn // Drums
Jonah Nimoy // Percussion
Online
Can you believe it’s been forty years since super Cali-punks The Offspring formed? Hell, it’s thirty years since they charged into hitmaker status with their third album Smash. Lead singles ‘Come Out and Play (Keep ‘em Separated)’ and ‘Self-Esteem’ helped them stand out from the post-grunge rock bands, giving punk rock a power surge alongside Green Day and Rancid. Those two songs established them as thoughtful but energetic songwriters, capable of introspection and touching on social issues, with a touch of novelty. It’s a formula they managed to replicate since, from chart-topping highs like ‘Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)’ through fan favourites like ‘You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid’.
SUPERCHARGED feels like a celebration of all that makes The Offspring unique. It’s led by the riffs, whether they are flat-out high energy punk (‘Light It Up’, ‘Truth in Fiction’,‘Hanging by a Thread’) or melodic pop-rock (‘The Fall Guy’). These kinds of tunes have been their bedrock since their early days and ensure that even if things get silly or gimmicky, there’s some solid punk rock action for their core fan base.
As noted, part of their broader appeal is they aren’t afraid to get a bit gimmicky. Lead single ‘Make It All Right’ fits the bill, though lyrically Holland is paying tribute to the people who have helped them endure for decades. There’s a female vocal sample, percussion loops and “ba badada” chants. It also means you’ll be singing along pretty quickly. Opening track ‘Looking Out For #1’ brings back the deep backing vocal (you know the one) and has a touch of rage. There’s a cool melodic bridge and a great Noodles guitar solo too. It’s arguably the full Offspring experience in three minutes.
If those tracks continue the tradition of ‘Original Prankster’ (and others), then we get our pop-punk ballad via ‘OK But This Is The Last Time’. Much like ‘Gone Away’ and ‘Self Esteem’, it fits into that earnest emo part of Dexter Holland’s approach. Vocally he can still carry a massive tune and this one is a cool reminder that the dude has always been able to sing.
If there’s a negative to SUPERCHARGED, it’s that the album does largely replay the kind of thing they’ve been doing for forty years. Except for the stunning ‘Come to Brazil’. Noodles unleashes his guitar god with a Motörhead-style heavy riff and some lightening licks. Holland leads the thundering chorus that pays tribute to South American fans and producer Bob Rock has the band sounding immense and ready to headline Rock in Rio. And then the song has a coda in which the band plays through the infamous “ole ole” soccer chant. Gimmicky? Sure. But it's so cool. It’s followed by the (almost) bluesy ‘Get Some’, channelling 70s Queen, which is another point of difference that makes the album worthwhile.
It’s not easy for punk bands to head past middle age but The Offspring’s serious side means they can still speak to fans in their age bracket. ‘You Can’t Get There From Here’ plays the hard rock card a little bit straighter. It covers imposter syndrome and similar feelings of anxiety and failure. It’s dad rock, but after forty years that’s where a lot of their fan base are these days.
I’m not exactly sure the world needs new music by The Offspring, but I do know bands like this still matter. SUPERCHARGED demonstrates they still have shots to fire and their veteran status is well deserved and worth celebrating. Fire it up with some friends on deck chairs and let the bad times roll.
The Offspring - SUPERCHARGED tracklisting
1. Looking Out For #1
2. Light It Up
3. The Fall Guy
4. Make It Alright
5. OK, but This Is the Last Time
6. Truth in Fiction
7. Come to Brazil
8. Get Some
9. Hanging By a Thread
10. You Can’t Get There From Here
Rating: 7/10
SUPERCHARGED is out October 11 via Wabi Sabi Worldwide. Preorder here.
Review by KJ Draven (Twitter X and Instagram).
