by Richard Leigh

Created on: March 31, 2008

Having formed back in 1984, The Offspring have been very much at the fore of the commercial punk rock scene for many a year now. In 1994 the band released an album that would turn out to be their most successful ever, that album is 'Smash' and after 14 years still remains to be the best selling album ever released by a band on an independent label. The album has sold in excess of 14 million records worldwide since its release, a fantastic achievement for the great band that is The Offspring.

The album begins with a short introduction track entitled 'Time To Relax', before long however you are quickly fired into the heart of it all with the highly energetic 'Nitro (Youth Energy)'. From here on in it is all powerful punk rock as The Offspring smash their way through this incredible release. A number of tracks here stand out as exceptional, never is there a dull moment throughout this album and always The Offspring impress with their truly exquisite music.

There are so many tracks here that are excellent, the ultra catchy 'Come Out and Play' for instance, the fiery sound of 'Bad Habit', and the excellent 'Self Esteem' also. I'd fail to name a bad track from this release, 'Self Esteem' is perhaps my favorite of them all though. The track progression is excellent in this one and everything about it just makes me smile. The vocals are brilliant, the pace is perfect, and the guitars make fantastic sounds throughout.

The Offspring are an absolutely glorious band, when they released their 'Greatest Hits' album back in 2005 they reminded us all of just how excellent they truly are. Some fine tracks have been recorded by The Offspring over the years and some of their best work is definitely exhibited on this 1994 release 'Smash'. After 14 years this album still sounds fresh and exciting, it's the perfect album of punk rock; raw and energetic, The Offspring run riot on this release and you can really that the band is having fun with the music. Such energy is contained within this album, always you feel that the band is enjoying it all and here and The Offspring have thus recorded and released an album that entertains on all levels and at every point it is enjoyable to listen to.

'Smash' was only the third album from the band, an eighth is due for release in 2008 however and all of their seven albums to date I feel contain a good few tracks that are well worth listening to. In my opinion 'Smash' is the best album that The Offspring have ever released, fourteen tracks are contained here all of utmost excellence.

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