Conspiracy of One
by The Offspring
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Nov 14, 2000
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Billboard
    80
    But as opposed to Blink, which powers straight ahead with scatological juvenility, the Offspring bridges punk with change-ups of metal and traditional rock and brings a more sarcastic wit to its observations of male teen angst.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    'Conspiracy of One' continues very much in the vein of its three high energy predecessors. Dexter Holland still sings as if every muscle in his neck were taut, guitarist Noodles cranks out the rivet gun riffs, the band knows a good hook when it latches onto one, and, in the venerable tradition of the Ramones, nearly every one of its fast paced songs sounds pretty much the same.
  3. Revolver
    70
    The Offspring's hit-making machinery is as efficiently well-oiled as ever. [#3, p.106]
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  5. Rolling Stone
    70
    The album finds the Orange County band playing to its strengths: furious, compressed bursts of wit and good-humored spleen.
  6. Spin
    70
    "Original Prankster" is one hell of a rump-shaker... the rest of Conspiracy buzzes from skate metal to Ozzed-up pop to Chili-peppered funk-punk to Billy Squirey sleaze-core. [Jan 2001, p.113]
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  7. Wall of Sound
    62
    There's not much fat here, but there's not much meat and bone, either. If the Offspring, still the most successful of all the latter-day Southern California punkers, once had interest in teasing and amusing its fans, it has largely hidden those qualities this time around.

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Most Discussed Album of 2000
26
#26 Most Shared Album of 2000

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 80 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 80
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 80
  3. Negative: 2 out of 80
  1. Metallispring
    Aug 15, 2010
    10
    Phenomenal CD, my personal favorite by the Offspring (barely beating Americana and Smash, but still). There are a good number of songs on thisPhenomenal CD, my personal favorite by the Offspring (barely beating Americana and Smash, but still). There are a good number of songs on this album I would recommend, those songs being "Original Prankster", "Want You Bad", "Million Miles Away", "Damnit, I Changed Again", "One Fine Day", and the 2nd hidden track, "Videos". These are some of the finest works by The Offspring… Full Review »
  2. SpallCD
    Feb 21, 2023
    8
    Seriously such an underrated album. This often gets overshadowed by it's older brother 'Americana' or simply labelled 'Americana Part 2' butSeriously such an underrated album. This often gets overshadowed by it's older brother 'Americana' or simply labelled 'Americana Part 2' but that couldn't be any further from the truth. The songs on here feel more refined and varied. I love Americana, but 'Conspiracy of One' should not be forgotten.

    Come Out Swinging - As the title suggest, this song really does start the album out strong, with a relentless drum beat throughout, Dexter's signature strong voice and a rare Offspring breakdown, it's one of their best openers.
    Original Prankster - This is a song people tend to love or hate. I'm personally a lot more positive about it. I think it was the perfect lead single to follow up 'Pretty Fly (For a White Guy' and incorporates even more of that skate punk style. The small contributions by Redman also just adds that tiny bit of of uniqueness to the track.
    Want You Bad - As an 18 year old writing this in 2023, I unfortunately was not able to experience this song playing on MTV before school and I certainly have no desire to see the American Pie films. However, I can still very much appreciate this song and why it resonated with so many people. And yes, I am one of the many who took a long time to realise he meant bad as in 'rebellious' and not just as an exemplifier of his feelings.
    Million Miles Away - Possibly the first slight stumble on the album? Don't get me wrong, it is a quality song, incorporating even more of Dexter's signature 'Woahs'. However, this always felt like an odd choice for a single. It does not particularly stand out when compared to the rest of the tracks, and I feel it would perhaps be one of the bands most forgotten songs if it wasn't given the single treatment.
    Dammit, I Changed Again - I feel maybe this would have been a more suitable song as a single. Though the riff overall is not unique, with bands such as Sum 41 using it later on in their song 'Thanks For Nothing', this is a song where I feel the vocals shine particularly bright here. There is a very consistent energy with this song which means it is often stuck repeating over and over in my head.
    Living in Chaos - For some reason, it took me a long time to really appreciate this songs greatness when compared to many other tracks on the album. The verses especially stand out, the guitars sounding very unique and unlike anything the band really did before. And I do not know how to describe it as I have no musical qualifications, but the 'Get on it' part of the chorus has such a sense of momentum to it and I just love it.
    Special Delivery - Again another song where I dint fall in love immediately but did over time. I perhaps shouldn't enjoy a song about an obsessive stalker as much as I do, but its not my fault it rocks. The inclusion of the famous soundbite from 'Hooked on a Feeling' is a pretty neat inclusion too.
    One Fine Day - Possibly my favourite song on the album. It's a very fast song which does not let up (apart from during the bridge) and that just makes it extremely fun to learn the lyrics and chant along too. This song was also supposedly based on British football culture, so its nice to have such a good Offspring song representing my nation.
    All Along - I certainly do not mind super short songs, but I don't think this one is particularly interesting, which makes the short runtime contribute even more so to it's overall forgettability.
    Denial Revisited - Besides from 'All I Have Left Is You' from 2012s 'Days Go By' this is likely my favourite Offspring Ballad. Yet another song where the vocals carry this song to great heights. The chorus is really powerful and I absolutely love the last verse where there's a solid 40 seconds of amazing, whiney and passionate vocals from the main man.
    Vultures - Definitely the most unique song on the album. This would feel right at home on 'Ixnay on the Hombre'. It's certainly a very good song, however it is not one I find myself revisiting a ton.
    Conspiracy Of One - Unfortunately, we do not end the album on a particularly a strong note. The title tracks suffers the same issue 'All Along' does, where it is just kind of forgettable. I think they were trying to go for one final strong burst of energy to close the album, but it does fall somewhat flat.

    Overall though, what a great album. This album seriously needs more recognition and appreciation by the hardcore fans. With only a few forgettable songs but no outright bad ones, I implore you listen to this all the way through.    … Full Review »
  3. SlasherV
    Oct 27, 2012
    8
    Pretty Good Album. The Tracks Compliment one and other pretty well. Now i thought Original Prankster is the only song i didn't enjoy as muchPretty Good Album. The Tracks Compliment one and other pretty well. Now i thought Original Prankster is the only song i didn't enjoy as much as the others.. I think its ok. But the Rest of the album is Very Good… Full Review »
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