Ixnay, Revisited

[Kickdrum]

The other day, I listened to Ixnay straight through, for the first time in years.

Let's travel back in time...A historic record breaking album in Smash - punk is mainstream, and The Offspring are a major part of the reason why. Trying to do the right thing, they look to renew a contract with Epitaph, but can't. A major tear in the relationship with Brett Gurewitz, bad blood, the whole bit.

The Offspring go major and sign with Columbia. At the time, it's seen as selling out to the Punk community. They're pissed, Mr. Brett's pissed, but most importantly, The Offspring are pissed. Coming off a highly successful album, the boys release the ultimate "fuck you" to their old label's Commander in Chief.

We start off with "Disclaimer" - a message by Jello Biafra (can you get a bigger punk icon on your side) that is the perfect mix innuendo and sarcasm (heh). Some of the songs themes point to being true to oneself (Meaning of Life, All I Want), while others are a direct shot to Gurewitz (Leave it Behind, Change the World).

First single released? Only the fastest, most punk rock song on the album. Unbelieveable.

"Gone Away" is so heartfelt, with a cool grunge sound...A song that has truly lasted the test of time.


Of course we have "Mota", which is a great combo of comic relief and energy, using the trademark Jason "Blackball" McLean line and Middle-Eastern guitars.

2 different Offspring sounds we are introduced to lay down great grooves. "Me and My Old lady" has a Jane's Addiction tinge to it, outstanding drumming by Ron, and great harmonies. And then there is "I Choose"...What the fuck is this song even about? The lyrics are brilliant, yet almost incomprehensible. The locked down groove is the best they've ever done...Just fucking awesome.

The lowlight to the album is the back-to-back of "Don't Pick It Up" and "Way Down The Line". While the songs are ok, they don't live up to the rest of the album...

"Change The World" uses ideas from the past, and pumps it into a fitting conclusion to the album, save for the great Bud Melman quip at the end...

Just a fantastic album. Just wanted to share why this band will always be special in my heart.

[Cock Joke]

Yea man! This album is among the highlight of their career, methinks. Definitely Offspring at its finest right here! I can never make up my mind of what my favorite Offspring album is, but I think I'm either leaning towards this one or Smash right about now.

But yea. Ixnay is just a great album to listen to all the way through. Great song structures, great arrangement of songs, production kicks ass, great variety, etc. Awesome album!

[Ninty Man]

Is their best album. Period

[JeromeFleur]

Great album, indeed. But personnaly, I don't like the drums in it, I think it's one of the weakness of the album. Sure, there are great grooves in it (Me&my old lady, I choose) and some good, but still simple drums arrangements (Gone Away) but overall, I think the drums parts are weaker than the self-titled, Ignition, Smash and Americana. I think the band focused more on the songwriting and the vocals than on the rythmic section. But then again, it's just the drums, hein, nobody cares! (except me :P)

PS : You forgot to mention about Amazed, which is, indeed, an AMAZING song! And the album art is the best they had in their career!

[Bipolar Bear]

Any offspring fan will agree that Ixnay is a fantastic album.
As well as Smash and Ignition.
That's how we can evaluate that those three albums were the best

[TeddyBear_Army]

Any offspring fan will agree that Ixnay is a fantastic album.
As well as Smash and Ignition.
That's how we can evaluate that those three albums were the best

uh...nope.
Smash is way overrated. It´s one of their worst albums, IMO. Not enough variety in there.
But, as you said, IXNAY is a fantastic album indeed... Offspring at their finest. RAFRAG is a comeback to that era, at least I consider it this way.

[adombomb222]

Is their best album. Period

Agreed.

And Change The World is only matched by Pay The Man.

[Budzy]

First time i heard Way Down The Line was on Crazy Taxi 4. And i loved it. I don't know why people don't have much interest in it.
But yeah ixnay owns.
especially intermission.

[Conspiracyof1000]

This kinda has something to do with this...
While I was at work today, I only had my Offspring playlist going. When Don't Pick It Up came on for some reason I just cracked up and dropped all the soda I was carrying to the cooler. I don't know what came over me. At least there were no customers in the store at the time.

I also agree that Smash is not the best album. Ixnay is one of my top three. It represents The Offspring sound to me. It has good diversity, only bested in diversity by RAFRAG.

[JeromeFleur]

I don't know what you guys have against Smash, but here`s a tip to appreciate it fully : raise the volume. And then... Raise it again. And if you still don't think it's the best shit you ever heard, it's because it's not loud enough yet.