Photo courtesy of Music Junkie Press

Almost 30 years since The Offspring dominated the grunge scene with their album “Smash,” the band has released yet another album. Their tenth studio album, “Let The Bad Times Roll,” was released on Friday, April 16. This was a long-awaited release, as it has been nine years since their last album that was released in 2012. Plus, this is their first release with their new label, Concord Records.

The two singles that were released in 2021, “Let The Bad Times Roll” and “We Never Have Sex Anymore,” are reminiscent of the band’s 1998 album “Americana.” These singles joined their 2015 single “Coming For You” on their latest album.

The first track, “This Is Not Utopia,” is a very political song to start off the record. Its lyrics assert that the roots of America are flawed and the wait for change has taken far too long. Given the recent unrest in the U.S., this song puts those feelings of oppression in a punk song.

The third track, “Behind Your Walls,” tackles depression. The narrator wants to know what he can do to reach out to someone before it’s too late. Something is obviously wrong and all he needs is a sign. Anyone who has been in a similar situation will be able to relate to the haunting lyrics.

The fourth track, “Army of One,” is about prevailing when you feel the world falling apart around you. The world can suck but all you need to do is your best to make through – even when times are tough.

The most random track is its eighth track, a 60-second instrumental called “In The Hall of The Mountain King.” It leads into the ninth track, “The Opioid Diaries” which is about addiction – a topic the band has written about numerous times.

Another political song on the record is the tenth track, “Hassan Chop.” In an interview with Apple Music, lead singer Dexter Holland said, “I wanted to write a song about what was going on in the Middle East, and ISIS in particular, just how brutal it’s gotten over there.” The title of the song actually comes from an old Bugs Bunny cartoon, “Ali Baba Bunny.” Holland said, “No one knows what it is except for 50-year-old guys, but it was a great cartoon.”

lmost 30 years since The Offspring dominated the grunge scene with their album “Smash,” the band has released yet another album. Their tenth studio album, “Let The Bad Times Roll,” was released on Friday, April 16. This was a long-awaited release, as it has been nine years since their last album that was released in 2012. Plus, this is their first release with their new label, Concord Records.

The two singles that were released in 2021, “Let The Bad Times Roll” and “We Never Have Sex Anymore,” are reminiscent of the band’s 1998 album “Americana.” These singles joined their 2015 single “Coming For You” on their latest album.

The first track, “This Is Not Utopia,” is a very political song to start off the record. Its lyrics assert that the roots of America are flawed and the wait for change has taken far too long. Given the recent unrest in the U.S., this song puts those feelings of oppression in a punk song.

The third track, “Behind Your Walls,” tackles depression. The narrator wants to know what he can do to reach out to someone before it’s too late. Something is obviously wrong and all he needs is a sign. Anyone who has been in a similar situation will be able to relate to the haunting lyrics.

The fourth track, “Army of One,” is about prevailing when you feel the world falling apart around you. The world can suck but all you need to do is your best to make through – even when times are tough.

The most random track is its eighth track, a 60-second instrumental called “In The Hall of The Mountain King.” It leads into the ninth track, “The Opioid Diaries” which is about addiction – a topic the band has written about numerous times.

Another political song on the record is the tenth track, “Hassan Chop.” In an interview with Apple Music, lead singer Dexter Holland said, “I wanted to write a song about what was going on in the Middle East, and ISIS in particular, just how brutal it’s gotten over there.” The title of the song actually comes from an old Bugs Bunny cartoon, “Ali Baba Bunny.” Holland said, “No one knows what it is except for 50-year-old guys, but it was a great cartoon.”

The album’s 11th track, “Gone Away,” should sound familiar to fans because it was originally on the band’s 1997 album, “Ixnay on the Hombre.” For this record, they stripped it down to a piano ballad. The ballad is very reminiscent of Gary Jules’ 2001 cover of “Mad World.” This is going to be one of the gems from the record because while it may be an oldie, it’s still a goodie.

The final track, “Lullaby,” is basically a reprise of “Let The Bad Times Roll.” It reiterates to fans that sometimes you really need to say “fuck it and let the bad times roll.” Life isn’t always going to be easy. Sometimes, it’s just going to get really messy and that’s completely okay.

This record can be listened to in under 45 minutes, so listeners are bound to find at least one song that sparks their interest. The Offspring is back and ready to show people they are here to stay. It currently charts in the Top 10 on the iTunes Rock albums. Listeners can stream the album on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon. CDs and Vinyl can also be bought, if you want to go old-school. The album’s 11th track, “Gone Away,” should sound familiar to fans because it was originally on the band’s 1997 album, “Ixnay on the Hombre.” For this record, they stripped it down to a piano ballad. The ballad is very reminiscent of Gary Jules’ 2001 cover of “Mad World.” This is going to be one of the gems from the record because while it may be an oldie, it’s still a goodie.

The final track, “Lullaby,” is basically a reprise of “Let The Bad Times Roll.” It reiterates to fans that sometimes you really need to say “fuck it and let the bad times roll.” Life isn’t always going to be easy. Sometimes, it’s just going to get really messy and that’s completely okay.

This record can be listened to in under 45 minutes, so listeners are bound to find at least one song that sparks their interest. The Offspring is back and ready to show people they are here to stay. It currently charts in the Top 10 on the iTunes Rock albums. Listeners can stream the album on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon. CDs and Vinyl can also be bought, if you want to go old-school.