For Week Ending:
2 November 2024

The Offspring - Supercharged (2024)

[Punk Rock]

Over their long career The Offspring have slowly left behind the punk roots and moved more into a mainstream radio-consumable style of 'pop punk'. Much like other bands of the time such as Green Day, they are slowly now making their way back to where they began. Supercharged is by no means a return to prime Offspring like Smash (1994) or Ixnay On The Hombre (1997), but no one will deny it is a large step back toward that style. 'Looking Out For #1' opens with a fair taste of mainstream chorus and polished guitars, but track two 'Light It Up' takes the listener back to band's roots with a guitar tone and tempo reminiscent of the earlier works. This could rightfully be assumed it is a one off, but track 3, 'The Fall Guy' follows suit, and a very vintage sounding album starts to take shape. This trend carries on for most of the album. There are still moments of the modern band (for better or for worse depending on what style you prefer), like the poppy single 'Make It Alright', an insipid song with a hint of distorted guitar to ensure the band can still feel edgy in today's world of disposable pop. Up against later tracks like the speedy 'Truth In Fiction', which could easily sit on any of the band's first 3 or 4 four albums, the contrast feels like a bunch of old and new tracks by the band are being played on random. The production is oddly uneven and flat in places for a Bob Rock produced album, feeling like it was recorded at different times and different locations - which it apparently was. Running at only 32 minutes, it feels more like an E.P. than an album, because regardless of whether you are an old fan or a new one, you will likely only find some of the songs appealing to you, but it does feel more like an old-school album more often than not. Thankfully the band seems to having avoided any 'joke' songs, a staple of nearly all of their album since the mid-90s. All in all, it is actually the most enjoyable and energised album The Offspring has released since Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace (2008), but it is still a long way from being a classic.

Release Information
'Supercharged' is the eleventh studio album by The Offspring. It was produced by Bob Rock, who had worked with the band on it's previous three studio albums. It is the band's first album to feature bassist Todd Morse as an official member and the band's first album to feature multi-instrumentalist Jonah Nimoy and drummer Brandon Pertzborn.

Regurgitator - Eduardo And Rodriguez Wage War On T-Wrecks (2001)

[Alternative Rock]

OK, this is a first and likely only listen of this release, so here we go. I got to track 9 and listen to small parts of remaining tracks. Out-right poop.

Arist Information
Regurgitator are an Australian alternative rock band from Brisbane, Queensland, formed in late 1993 by Quan Yeomans on lead vocals, guitar and keyboards; Ben Ely on bass guitar, keyboards and vocals; and Martin Lee on drums. Their second album, 'Unit' was certified triple platinum and won five categories at the ARIA Music Awards of 1998.

Release Information
'Eduardo And Rodriguez Wage War On T-Wrecks' is the fourth studio album by Regurgitator. It peaked at number 7 on the ARIA Albums Chart.