It is officially thirty years since The Offspring released their seminal LP Smash (4/8/94), and its legacy refuses to diminish. If there was a Richter scale equivalent to measure the impact an album can have, this LP would’ve been close to breaking that scale. There is ambition behind each song, a sense of familiarity in the melodies only for that nostalgic feeling to crumble as the band used this LP to introduce the world to a new side of The Offspring. Slowly inching away from their roots while still keeping one foot in the door, Smash was a hit right out of the gate, but every album could have its time in the spotlight. What is so miraculous and enticing about this LP in particular is its staying power amongst the grunge giants.
In the pantheon of grunge, The Offspring keeps its name high on the list of impactful acts from the genre’s height of popularity. With Bay Area punk slowly creeping its way into the mainstream at the time thanks to Green Day’s Dookie, released only a few months before Smash, it seemed like grunge was on its way out. Rather than wallow in what once was, The Offspring got to work on something entirely new. The results are heavy guitar riffs that cut through the speakers and lyrics that feel like they were written to be screamed in a crowd of people. Longtime collaborator Thom Wilson produced the album but this would be the last time the band and producer worked together. After plenty of arguments over the sonic direction of Smash and tensions being high due to the small recording budget, The Offspring and Wilson parted ways. The runaway success of this album is ironic in that way, the harmonious structure of the album is the thing that tore them apart, and even more ironically, the band’s punk tendencies never left.
The music here is undeniably grunge, with angsty lyrics being delivered via screeching melodies that are accented by dense guitar textures and explosive drums. The magic of Smash is underneath the surface, the band reinvented its sound to fit their newfound love for catchy melodies. On previous albums, the band delivered their lyrics at a rapid-fire pace evoking the spirit of punk, Smash took a more gentle approach. The fierceness of punk can still be heard in these longer notes, hidden under the earworm catchiness of Smash is the same energy they had on their debut. The Offspring just dressed it up differently, and the new suit they put their sound in paid off tremendously.
The album produced some of The Offspring’s biggest hits. Singles like “Self Esteem” and “Come Out and Play” are still in rotation at most rock radio stations and continue to be essentials for the genre. The album peaked at number four on the Billboard chart and brought Epitaph Records its first Gold and Platinum plaques. It is certified platinum in three countries and made the band a worldwide success. The album went on to sell a total of 11 million copies worldwide.
The Offspring’s Smash is an album that entered the world of grunge with an otherworldly impact and never left, and it doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon. The band’s third album introduced them to the mainstream while simultaneously introducing a new side of their artistry to day-one fans. Miraculously, both sides welcomed it with open arms. By fearlessly ushering in a new era while simultaneously staying true to their roots, The Offspring created an album that has proven to be timeless.
