Days Go By is the new offering from The Offspring, one of the great discoveries of many an adolescence. Featuring drummer Pete Parada, who replaced long-serving drummer Ron Welty, and produced by the legendary Bob Rock, Days Go By is the band’s ninth studio album.
After the less-than-inspiring Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace, released in 2008, a lot is riding on this album when it comes to the band’s continued longevity. Despite the band continually pushing back the release date while they continued writing new material, the result is sadly a long way from their best.
Days Go By was recorded across six studios and two countries, which may have contributed to the piecemeal nature of the album’s 12 tracks. Dirty Magic from the band’s 1992 album Ignition was re-recorded for the record – goodness knows why – leaving 11 originals from which they could have selected a lead single, which leaves me wondering – why on Earth choose the worst track of the album, the abominable Cruising California (Bumpin’ in My Trunk)?
Quite possibly the worst Offspring track I have ever heard, Cruising California is like a horrible mix between The Black Eyed Peas and Good Charlotte. The worst parts of Good Charlotte. The title track also lacks punch, as does the token semi-ska track OC Guns which attempts unsuccessfully to replicate the success of Why Don’t You Get A Job? and What In The World Happened To You?.
There are a couple of enjoyable tracks which hark back to a younger, more exciting Offspring, even if they do sound a little more like the Foo Fighters than the rawer pop-punk sound of the early ’90s. Opening tracks The Future Is Now and Secrets From The Underground are both good value and Slim Pickens Does The Right Thing And Rides The Bomb To Hell should stand up okay next to the band’s classic recordings.
BY JOSH FERGEUS
Best Track: Slim Pickens Does The Right Thing And Rides The Bomb To Hell
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: GOOD CHARLOTTE, FOO FIGHTERS
In A Word: Disappointing
