First things first, yes, Americana, the 5th studio album from The Offspring, is the one with "Pretty Fly (for a A White Guy)." The TRL fav, undoubtedly, is largely responsible for the record's (uno, dos, tres, cuatro) cinco-platinum status, and there is nothing wrong with that, but it shouldn't speak for the entire record. In between the airplay-aimed tracks ("Why Don't you Get a Job?), the band sandwiches in very well written, angst-ridden punk rock numbers: "The Kids Aren't Alright," "Feelings" (this one is a cover, but Dexter Holland & gang really killed) "Americana," & "Pay The Man." It's a good mix of raucous fun, satire, & nostalgia, and 20 years after its original release, the "dark underbelly of American society" theme that loosely ties the LP together still remains, whether intentional or not, relevant.

• 20th anniversary edition
• red vinyl pressing
• limited edition lenticular cover & sticker sheet
• music label: Round Hill Records 1998 / 2018

reviewed by singing in japanese 12/18