Let the Bad Times Roll explained

Let the Bad Times Roll
Type:studio
Artist:The Offspring
Cover:The Offspring Let the Bad Times Roll.jpg
Released:April 16, 2021
Recorded:January 2013 – June 2020
Genre:
Length:33:21
Label:Concord
Producer:Bob Rock
Prev Title:Summer Nationals
Prev Year:2014
Next Title:Supercharged
Next Year:2024

Let the Bad Times Roll is the tenth studio album by American rock band the Offspring, released on April 16, 2021.[3] Produced by Bob Rock, it is the band's first release on Concord Records, and their first studio album in nine years since Days Go By (2012), marking the longest gap between two Offspring studio albums. Let the Bad Times Roll also marks the band's first album without bassist and co-founding member Greg K., who was fired from the Offspring in 2018. Even though new bassist Todd Morse had already joined the band and appeared in the video for the album’s title track and "This Is Not Utopia", bass guitar accompaniment was provided by guitarist and vocalist Dexter Holland. It is the second and last album to feature drummer Pete Parada, who was fired from the band in July 2021 for refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccination, due to suffering from Guillain–Barré syndrome.[4] [5]

The band's tour schedules, lineup changes, legal issues and the search for a new label after their split with Columbia Records, who released the Offspring's previous six albums, contributed to a years-long delay behind Let the Bad Times Roll. The band started recording new material for the album with Rock as early as the summer of 2013,[6] and after re-recording it at various studios and at various periods between 2013 and 2020, it had been completed by 2020 and was ready for release later that year. However, due to the aforementioned issues, other inner disputes and the COVID-19 pandemic, the album's release was pushed back to 2021.[3]

Background, production and delays

Plans for a tenth studio album were first mentioned about six months after the release of Days Go By by Offspring guitarist Noodles, who stated that they would "sit down and take a look at a new record" after the completion of the Days Go By tour.[7] Noodles had then hoped that the band would enter the studio in 2014 to begin recording their album.[8] Vocalist Dexter Holland stated in a May 2013 interview that he had written a "punk" song about "the government keeping you down."[9]

The Offspring entered the studio in August 2013 to begin tracking new material, with producer Bob Rock at the helm.[6] Within the next few years, the album's progress was slowed down by grueling tour schedules and the end of their contract with Columbia Records, the label that the Offspring had been on since 1996.[8] The band released their first song in over two years, "Coming for You", on January 30, 2015;[10] [11] [12] at the time of its release, it was unclear if "Coming for You" would be released as a one-off single or would appear on the band's upcoming tenth studio album, but a tweet from frontman Dexter Holland heavily implied it was in an unfinished state.[13] [14] [15] [16] Noodles had stated, however, that "Coming for You" would appear on the album.[16]

By September 2015, the Offspring were still in the studio and had finished 2-3 tracks.[17] [18] A month later, Noodles posted a picture of himself, Holland, Parada and Bob Rock in the studio on his Instagram page, which indicated that they were recording their tenth studio album.[19] [20] In a November 2015 interview Noodles said that he hoped the album would be released in 2016.[21] [22] However, in an August 2016 interview with EMP LIVE TV, Noodles said they had five or six songs done and they would release one or two songs soon. In the same interview, Noodles hoped the album would be finished by the end of 2016.[23] In an October 2016 interview with Alaska Dispatch News, Noodles stated that the band was "planning on getting in the studio soon" to record the album, planned for release in 2017.[24] On January 3, 2017, Noodles posted a picture of the band (except Greg K) in studio on his Twitter page, "Here's a selfless selfie that I just took. Working!", implying that the band had finished or was still recording the album.[25] In a May 2017 interview, Holland stated, "I actually plan to spend a lot more time in the studio. We didn't put it on hold but we've been less active on the recording side for the last few years so I would like to put out another record. The band is number one for me and what I am most passionate about."[26]

In an interview during their appearance at Rock in Rio in September 2017, Noodles and Holland talked about the new Offspring album, with the former commenting, "We've got a few songs already done. We wanna do a couple more, and we definitely want to get something out soon. Our fans have waited long enough, I think, so we wanna get something in their hands that they can listen to and hold, and put in their ears." Holland added that the album would "for sure" be released in 2018.[27] In an October 2017 interview, however, Holland said, "I think I want to do like an EP. It's kind of what people are doing these days and it makes for less time in between stuff. It has been five years for us so we have a few songs together and I'm hoping to get something out by early next year."[28] In the same month, bassist Greg K. mentioned a possible 2018 release date for the new Offspring album, and revealed that one of the reasons for the album's slow progress was because they have been working on songs here and there. He also stated that the band was in no hurry to finish the album.[29] In December 2017, Noodles told Front Row Live, "We're working on it. We were in the studio all this week. We finished up for the holidays on Tuesday, Wednesday, and then we're gonna get back in the studio as soon as the new year [rolls around], in January."[30] On February 23, 2018, the band announced via Instagram that they had finished tracking down drums for the album.[31] The Offspring were asked two months later on Twitter if their new album would be released soon, and replied, "We're hoping by summer."[32]

On February 23, 2019, Noodles confirmed on his Instagram account that the new Offspring album was finished, writing "The album is done. Working on getting it to the fans now. Stay tuned!"[33] A month later, Dexter Holland confirmed that the album was "98% finished" and mentioned a tentative fall 2019 release.[34] Noodles reiterated that the album was ready for release in 2020 and they were in the process of searching for a new record label to release it.[35] [36] On April 21, 2020 the band released a rock cover of Joe Exotic's country song "Here Kitty Kitty" popularized by the 2020 Netflix documentary Tiger King. It was recorded while the band was in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.[37] In a June 2020 interview with Download TV, Holland confirmed that the new album was "basically done" but added that its release was "on hold at the moment" because of the coronavirus pandemic.[38]

On February 8, 2021, Dexter and Noodles posted a video confirming that the album was finished with an official release date and single announcement coming soon.[39]

On February 23, 2021, the Offspring announced Let the Bad Times Roll as the title of their tenth studio album, as well as its artwork, release date and track listing. The album's artwork was designed by Daveed Benito. The album's title track was released as a single on the same day.[40] [3]

Critical reception

Let the Bad Times Roll received mixed to negative reviews from music critics, appearing on multiple worst of the year lists. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 54 based on 6 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews". DIY Magazine gave the album 1 and a half stars, saying "Rarely have Dexter Holland’s lyrics been so cliche, or the band as a whole revert to tropes worn thin before the group dropped their 1994 magnum opus, ‘Smash’. The faux-protest chorus of opener ‘This Is Not Utopia’ dilutes any earnest hostility with its inane repetition of “the roots” as Dexter chants “The roots of America / the roots of hysteria”."[41] In a more positive review, Consequence of Sound stated that "Let the Bad Times Roll offers hints of creative tangents that could revitalize the band next time around – if they’re willing to challenge themselves."[42]

Track listing

I "Gone Away" is a stripped-down piano ballad version of the group's 1997 single of the same name

II "Lullaby" contains a reprise of "Let the Bad Times Roll"

Personnel

The Offspring

Additional musicians

Production[43]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[45] 10
Italian Albums (FIMI)[46] 29
Spanish Physical Albums (PROMUSICAE)[47] 13
Spanish Physical Vinyl Albums (PROMUSICAE)[48] 8
Swedish Physical Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[49] 15

Year-end charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[50] 90

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Offspring – Let The Bad Times Roll (Album Review). Wall Of Sound. 11 April 2021.
  2. Web site: The Offspring Scrape off the Rust and Return to Action on Let the Bad Times Roll: Review. 14 April 2021.
  3. News: THE OFFSPRING Announces 'Let The Bad Times Roll' Album, Drops Title Track. Blabbermouth.net. February 24, 2021. February 24, 2021.
  4. Web site: Instagram .
  5. Offspring Drummer Says He's Out of Band After Refusing Covid-19 Vaccine . . 4 August 2021 .
  6. Web site: The Offspring Recording New Album, Producer Revealed. alternativenation.net. August 8, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131005024210/http://www.alternativenation.net/?p=30769. February 24, 2021. 2013-10-05.
  7. Web site: Offspring To Work On New Album After 'Days Go By' Tour. Ultimate Guitar. December 12, 2012. February 24, 2021.
  8. Web site: Noodles Confirms The Offspring Will Record New Album In 2014. Music Feed. May 28, 2013. February 24, 2021.
  9. Web site: The Offspring writing new album. skatepunkers.net. May 29, 2013. February 24, 2021.
  10. Web site: The Offspring To Debut New Single In January. thepunksite.com. December 29, 2014. February 24, 2021.
  11. Web site: The Offspring to Debut New Single January 30. restless-press.com. December 26, 2014. February 24, 2021. January 19, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150119065504/http://restless-press.com/post/106253144757/the-offspring-to-debut-new-single-january-30. dead.
  12. Web site: The Offspring Tease New Single #comingforyou. AbsolutePunk.net. January 8, 2015. February 24, 2021.
  13. Web site: The Offspring release and stream 'Coming For You' single. punktastic.com. January 30, 2015. February 24, 2021.
  14. Web site: Media: The Offspring: "Coming for You". Punknews.org. January 30, 2015. February 24, 2021.
  15. offspring. Offspring. 563424248916492288. 5 February 2015. .@mptimmons101 We can't wait to get another album out as soon as we have enough songs. -Dex #ComingForYou.
  16. Web site: The Offspring Teases New Album. newspressnow.com. June 4, 2015. February 24, 2021.
  17. https://twitter.com/offspring/status/643849866322554880 We've only got 2-3 songs done, we've still got a lot of songs to write. Art is always last. -@TheGnudz #AskNoodles
  18. https://twitter.com/offspring/status/642414024861204480 We are free agents! I think we'll make a record first then worry about how to put it out. -dex
  19. Web site: The Offspring : en studio !. 28 October 2015 .
  20. Web site: The Offspring está em estúdio - Besouros.net - Hardcore, PunkRock, Metal. 28 October 2015.
  21. Web site: Videos: Noodles talks new Offspring album possibly coming out in 2016. Punknews.org. 9 December 2015 .
  22. Web site: The Offspring Eyeing 2016 Album Release. Loudwire. 19 July 2015. 24 February 2021.
  23. Web site: Noodles Says The Offspring Hope To Have New Album. screamingguitars.com. 9 September 2016. 24 February 2021.
  24. Web site: For first time since grunge was huge, '90s punk rock stars The Offspring return to Alaska. adn.com. October 28, 2016. February 24, 2021.
  25. TheGnudz. Nizzy Doodles. 816456893937827840. 4 January 2017. Here's a selfless selfie that I just took. Working! #selflessselfie @offspring @PeteParada.
  26. Web site: The Offspring's Dexter Holland Talks New Album, Studio Plans. ultimate-guitar.com. May 4, 2017. February 24, 2021.
  27. Web site: The Offspring Aiming to Release New Album in 2018. ultimate-guitar.com. October 5, 2017. February 24, 2021.
  28. Web site: The Offspring will conjure up some Halloween fun with a trio of 'Ixnay on the Hombre' gigs in Santa Ana. OC Register. October 20, 2017. February 24, 2021.
  29. Web site: The Offspring: 20 Jahre "Ixnay On The Hombre". krone.at. October 22, 2017. February 24, 2021.
  30. Web site: The Offspring To Resume Work On New Album In January. Blabbermouth.net. December 17, 2017. February 24, 2021.
  31. Web site: The Offspring: Drum Tracks Finished. ultimate-guitar.com. February 24, 2018. February 24, 2021.
  32. 983492855724298241. offspring. @JugheadsRevenge @saveferrisordie We’re hoping by summer. . February 24, 2021. April 9, 2018.
  33. Web site: THE OFFSPRING's New Album Is 'Done,' Says Guitarist NOODLES. Blabbermouth.net. February 25, 2019. February 24, 2021.
  34. Web site: The Offspring '98 Percent' Done With New Album, Eye Fall Release. Chad. Childers. Loudwire. 15 March 2019 .
  35. Web site: The Offspring Will Release New Album in Early 2020. Graham. Hartmann. Loudwire. 13 November 2019 . February 24, 2021.
  36. Web site: Não queremos que termine como 'Chinese Democracy', diz Offspring ao brincar sobre atraso em álbum. Gabriela. Sarmento. G1. March 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200328000641/https://g1.globo.com/pop-arte/musica/noticia/2020/03/13/nao-queremos-que-termine-como-chinese-democracy-diz-offspring-ao-brincar-sobre-atraso-em-album.ghtml. March 28, 2020. dead.
  37. Web site: Hear The Offspring's Cover of Tiger King's 'Here Kitty Kitty'. Halle. Kiefer. Vulture. 27 April 2020. February 24, 2021.
  38. Web site: THE OFFSPRING's New Album Is 'On Hold'. Blabbermouth. 30 June 2020. February 24, 2021.
  39. Web site: The Offspring have announced that their new album will be released this year: 'It's finished, it's done'. Kerrang. February 21, 2021. February 8, 2021.
  40. Web site: The Offspring Releases New Song "Let The Bad Times Roll". pmstudio.com. February 23, 2021. February 24, 2021.
  41. Web site: The Offspring - Let the Bad Times Roll - Review. 15 April 2021 .
  42. Web site: The Offspring Scrape off the Rust and Return to Action on Let the Bad Times Roll: Review . 14 April 2021 .
  43. https://busites_www.s3.amazonaws.com/offspring/pages/OffspringCDBooklet12-4.pdf
  44. Web site: Kory. Grow. Hear Offspring's 'Let the Bad Times Roll,' From First Album in Nine Years. Rolling Stone. 24 February 2021. New York, New York. 24 February 2021. en. https://archive.today/20210224152951/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/offspring-let-the-bad-times-roll-1132547/. 24 February 2021. live.
  45. Web site: Albumit 16/2021. Musiikkituottajat. fi. April 25, 2021.
  46. Web site: Album – Classifica settimanale WK 16 (dal 16.4.2021 al 22.4.2021). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. it. April 24, 2021.
  47. Web site: Top 100 Albums Weekly Week 16. Productores de Música de España. es. April 29, 2021.
  48. Web site: Top 100 Albums Weekly Week 16. Productores de Música de España. es. April 29, 2021.
  49. Web site: Veckolista Album Fysiskt, vecka 17. Sverigetopplistan. sv. April 29, 2021.
  50. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2021. hitparade.ch. December 26, 2021. de.