Americana

Rating

Album: Americana
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Welcome	More Info...
2)	Have You Ever	More Info...	0:04
3)	Staring at the Sun	More Info...	0:02
4)	Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)	More Info...	0:03
5)	The Kids Aren't Alright	More Info...	0:03
6)	Feelings	More Info...	0:03
7)	She's Got Issues	More Info...	0:03
8)	Walla Walla	More Info...	0:03
9)	The End of the Line	More Info...	0:03
10)	No Brakes	More Info...	0:02
11)	Why Don't You Get a Job?	More Info...	0:03
12)	Americana	More Info...	0:03
13)	Pay the Man/Pretty Fly (Reprise)	More Info...	0:10

Performer Notes

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.
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").

Professional Reviews

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..."