Ixnay on the Hombre - Offspring (The) (CD 1997)

"The Offspring have proved themselves "write worthy" and taking a stroll back, this is their best album to date; and shouldn't be overlooked by anyone even vaguely interested in what will be a pop-culture icon should pick this album up post haste."

INTRO
The Offspring holds a place near and dear to my clockworks. In the early 90's, at the peak of "nerdiness", I can still remember hearing the lyrics of "Self Esteem" from the Smash album echoing in my head. Going to a local geek-emporium playing Magic: The Gathering and Warhammer, The Offspring was staple food and a requirement for play.

The band religiously released an album almost ever other year. Most had a few songs worthy of radio play, but most went unnoticed in the shadows of a cult following. I'm not the biggest fan of The Offspring, but IXNAY on the Hombre is an album that appeals to the roots of my inner machine.

Writing music reviews aren't my staple, and I consistently write in the Games section of Epinions. So, for the miniscule few that follow my game reviews, read on. A few years back when IXNAY was released; so was an ever popular video game. Sega released Crazy Taxi on the Dreamcast. The game featured amazing music from The Offspring, Fear Factory and Bad Religion. Arguably, the best soundtrack ever released on any gaming platform.

Nearly half the songs on IXNAY were in full or partially incorporated within the soundtrack of Crazy Taxi. The Offspring fit the bill perfectly, complimenting the game brilliantly. Briefly about the game; you are a "crazy" taxi driver and achieve points for picking up and dropping off customers in the shortest amount of time. The crazier the ride, the more money you will get. Sega has always been known for their alternative game genres, and this was their biggest money maker, that still is popular on current consoles, including GameCube and PS2.

Surprisingly, The Offspring is not limited to adrenaline laced music and head banging beats. Lyrically, although short, the band introduces black and white, bottom line philosophies that are the meat and potatoes of the punk movement.

TRACK LISTING

1.Disclaimer
Ok, well we see a bit of the Offspring humor setting in... Sure it s a bit "sell-outy", but what the heck.

2.The Meaning of Life
Our opening track starts off in classic Offspring fashion. Fast tempo with a gripping chorus line. Hey, aren't we all trying to find the meaning of life? Well, The Offspring is no different and either is their clan.

Open wide and swallow their meaning of life
I can't make it work your way
Thanks but no thanks

3.Mota
Maybe I'm a bit naive and iridescent... But, I have never heard of a "mota". Apparently it's a drug type slang word. Well, were would the stereotypical drug use of the punk genre be without a blatant in-your-face drug motto...err... mota. Still, it seems like the band is giving an opposing view to drug use. With that said, the song is sub par and a stretch for even this album.

Everyday, we'll it's the same
That bong that's on the table starts to call my name
I take a hit and zone out again

4.Me and my old Lady
Without a doubt, probably the dumbest song on the album. With a slight Middle Eastern flair, there is nothing catchy here. I guess him and his old lady like to waste their days by sitting around and do nothing. Hey, I would too... but I have to get up and go to work... and my wife would kick my butt if I called her "my old lady".

Me and my old lady
Lay in bed all day
And when I say I love her
Well she rolls the other way

5.Cool to Hate
This song just cracks me up from start to finish. Hey, it is cool to hate. If you hate everyone and everything, you can't be lumped into any hate-group... The song really is about hate, but ends up just making fun of people who hate things. Oh well... Musically the song is average. Quite the "Oi!" style and punkish to the max.

I hate the jocks
And I hate the geeks
I hate the trendies
But I also that the freaks
I hate your band
And I hate TV
I'm only happy when I'm in my misery

6.Leave it Behind
Angry, angry, angry. Angst outlet is sometimes relieved when you kick and scream, eh? For those wondering why this album is so good, just sit tight. The song is decent. Short. But, fairly mediocre.

All the rage just eats you alive
Can you leave it behind
I don't know where it'll end

7.Gone Away
Finally. A good song. Not just a good song, but a great song. The best on the album and our first induction of a song from Crazy Taxi. While the track isn't done in full on the game, it's only the instrumental part. Still, the song is amazingly catchy and a nice balance between harmony and hate. Did I just say that? Silly me.

And it feels like
Heaven's so far away
And it feels like the world has grown cold
Now that you've gone away

Leaving flowers on your grave
Show that I still care
But black roses and Hail Mary's
Can't bring back what's taken from me

8.I Choose
While most songs from The Offspring are quick, angry and short; I Choose is a bit longer and a bit more mellow. Fear not, there is still some edge to it, and it is more "next gen" punk. You know, the Top 40 of todays "punk style" music. Not bad, but no where near great.

Now if I wasn't such a weenie
Do you think you'd still love me
Pretending I'm an airplane on the living room floor
But like a lovely generator
You stand right by me

9.Intermission
What would a good punk album be without some Herb Albert style game show music intermission?

10.All I Want
Crazy Taxi players will recognize this song right off the bat. Hard hitting, fast and simply pumps you up like no other song. It's a great track, and by the end of the song you will be spitting adrenaline. One of the best songs on the album, will leave you breathless and you can see why Sega used this as their primary song.

I'm not asking a lot
I just don't want to be controlled
That's all I want

11.Way Down the Line
Another big hit from the Crazy Taxi game is a bit more mellow but still fits the game perfectly. A little less punkier, but seems to mesh with being a great cruising song. Sure the song is about life, and how it sucks; but lets just focus on it being a great song from a great game, ok?

And welfare moms have kids on welfare
And fat parents they have fat kids too
You know it's never gonna end
The same old cycle's gonna start again
What comes around well it goes around

12.Don't Pick it up
Hey talk about diverse. The Offspring shows their Latino-flavor. It s a great punk song, with all the "Ohh-ohh-ohhs" you come to expect from the band. This happy-go-lucky song is a nice follow up from the previous track.

My friend was kinda hurtin'
For a girl to try
He saw one that looked like Pat
on Saturday Night Live
It had a pair of thingies
But a mustache too

13.Amazed
Hard to believe but this song was also on the Crazy Taxi soundtrack. It was rarely played, and only played for a few seconds at most... A very slow, almost Metallica sounding song. It s a short little ditty, but totally rocks... Frick... I can't believe I said "totally rocks"...

Sometimes I think I'm gonna drown
Cause everyone around's so hollow
I'm alone
Sometimes I think I'm going down
But no one makes a sound

14.Change the World
Don't be discouraged by the band telling you that you can't change the world. Listen to Oprah and do random acts of kindness... Frick... I can't believe I said "random acts of kindness"... Anyway, the end track completes the album and closes out a soon to be classic disk. This is also on the Crazy Taxi but received little or no play on the soundtrack. Great song, I tell ya...

The ones you call your friends
Are failing you again
Reach into your bag of tricks and make it go away
You don't want to change the world
Like you say
You're in it for yourself
No one else

OUTRO
Even if your not into video games, and cant truly appreciate soundtracks to great games; this is a soon to be classic for cult followings. This is a perfect getintoyourcaranddriverealfast song. Put the days troubles aside and you slip this disk in. Highly evolved, and ahead of its time; this album is timeless and an asset to anyone s collection.

For conservative parents, you might not want to allow your young child or teenager to have access to it. The songs from the Crazy Taxi soundtrack are harmless, but others have occasional blurts of four letter words.

Overall, this is The Offspring s best showing to date. If you are looking for a no brain fun ride, this is the album for you. Put your controller down, and live the game. Kudos my friends! Kudos!