The Offspring - Smash [Black Vinyl LP]

Orange County punk rockers the Offspring achieved unprecedented success with Smash, their third studio album released on April 8, 1994, through Epitaph Records. Recorded in just 20 days between January and February 1994 at Track Record in North Hollywood with producer Thom Wilson, the album was created on a modest $20,000 budget with no expectation of mainstream success. Instead, it became the best-selling independent label album of all time, moving over 11 million copies worldwide and reaching number four on the Billboard 200. This remastered black vinyl pressing captures the raw energy and infectious melodies that made the album a cultural phenomenon, bringing punk rock back to mainstream radio alongside Green Day's Dookie.

The 14-track album delivers relentless energy with caffeinated rhythms, buzzsaw guitars, and Dexter Holland's urgent vocals. Breakthrough single "Come Out and Play" stands apart with its distinctive Middle Eastern-influenced guitar riff and spoken-word hook addressing gang violence, while "Self Esteem" became an anthem with its self-deprecating lyrics and massive sing-along chorus. "Gotta Get Away" showcases the band's ability to craft hook-laden grunge-influenced punk, and "Bad Habit" earned notoriety as one of KROQ's most requested songs despite never receiving an official single release. Opening track "Nitro (Youth Energy)" sets the frenetic pace, while songs like "Something to Believe In" and "Genocide" tackle political and social themes with the band's characteristic directness and wit.

This remastered vinyl pressing delivers improved clarity and punch to the album's aggressive production, capturing the precision of the instrumental performances and the urgency in Holland's vocals. The black vinyl LP includes a printed inner sleeve and maintains the dynamic range from the quieter moments to the full-throttle punk assault. Certified 6x Platinum in the United States, the album's sonic assault translates powerfully to vinyl, making this an engaging format for experiencing one of the 1990s' most influential punk records.

• Format: Black Vinyl LP
• Standout tracks: "Come Out and Play," "Self Esteem," "Gotta Get Away"
• Pressing details: Remastered vinyl, printed inner sleeve, recorded at Track Record Studios, produced by Thom Wilson
• Genre/style: Punk Rock, Pop Punk, Skate Punk, Alternative Rock
• UPC: 045778686810

As the first album released on Epitaph Records to achieve gold and platinum status, Smash opened doors for independent punk rock and defined the pop punk sound of the 1990s. This remastered vinyl edition honors the album's legacy, offering both longtime devotees and new listeners the chance to experience the record that proved independent punk could compete with major label releases.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. Time To Relax
2. Nitro [Youth Energy]
3. Bad Habit
4. Gotta Get Away
5. Genocide
6. Something To Believe In
7. Come Out And Play (Keep 'Em Separated)

Side B:

1. Self Esteem
2. It'll Be A Long Time
3. Killboy Powerhead
4. What Happened To You?
5. So Alone
6. Not The One
7. Smash