Offspring- AMERICANA ***** out of *****
This is my favorite punk album ever... despite the fact that this album came out a year or more prior to my review. There are only a few forays into "suck." Basically every single track is completely stellar except the album's first song, "Have You Ever," the horribly overplayed "Pretty Fly for a White Guy," and the BLATANT Beatles rip-off "Why Don't You Get a Job?" (aka Obli-Dee Obli-Da). My personal favorite tracks are "Staring at the Sun" (a great punk track that kicks into double-time midway through), "End of the Line" (this song creeps me out, the guilt shines through), "No Brakes" ("Layin awake, i don't give a shit, if i even get up in the morning"... how cool is that?), and "Americana" (the BEST Offspring track ever). Despite criticisms that the Offspring "sold out," this album seems a logical evolution for a band with influences far wider than pure punk. Personally, i feel that if you want an Offspring album, this may be your best bet.
Our Lady Peace- HAPPINESS... IS NOT A FISH YOU CAN CATCH *** 1/2 out of *****
I have completely altered my review of this disc upon second examination. While I still hold to my previous statement that too many tracks on the album fall apart, the tracks that do not are too good to overlook. Take for example, the leadoff single, "One Man Army." This song is indeed one awesome track, with its great melodies and strange lyrics. Other great tunes include "Stealing Babies," "Happiness and the Fish," "Is Anybody Home?" and "Blister." All in all a good buy if you like this kind of stuff.
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