Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace
by The Offspring
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Jun 17, 2008
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 87 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 87
  3. Negative: 7 out of 87

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  1. MislavF.
    Aug 12, 2008
    5
    This album sounds like a mishmash of their previous styles with a bit of more modern stuff. It isn't bad, but it's fairly unoriginal and quite forgettable.
  2. Leon
    Oct 4, 2009
    10
    Great!
  3. joer
    May 18, 2009
    10
    Best offspring album ever!
  4. IsaiahM.
    Nov 10, 2008
    8
    Definitely has some very catchy tunes, You're Gonna Go Far Kid, Hammerhead, Kristi...to name a few of the highlights.
  5. NikosParas
    Jun 19, 2008
    4
    Exactly what i expected from them. Their fans will love it, the rest (like me) just don't buy it
  6. DavidL.
    Jun 19, 2008
    0
    Horrid, to sum it up. Hammerhead was the best song but it can't save most of the rest of the album from its shame. Fix you is honestly one of the worst songs I've ever heard in my life.
  7. RashwanZ.
    Jun 21, 2008
    8
    Its a great record but could have been even better if some of the songs weren't actually there .. but i personally love it .. espeially the first half and stuff is messed u .. offspring rules.
  8. frosted
    Jun 20, 2008
    4
    Where are those "kill the president" and lower bass songs? It sounds like Simple plan.
  9. EduardoC.
    Aug 6, 2008
    10
    One of they're best albums for sure. Containing elements from both Smash and Conspiracy of one, making it i believe the best, if not one of the best albums they have made up to date.
  10. Andrea
    Aug 4, 2009
    6
    Better than Splinter, but not as good as their old stuff.
  11. ReviewerX
    Jun 19, 2008
    8
    Not their best, but certainly an interesting album. The first four songs are classic Offspring at their finest but then it starts to falter. I'm all for their experimenting and trying new things but when those new things are just ripping off today's popular pop-punk bands, well... yeah. Still well worth a listen, especially the beginning of the album if you're an Offspring fan.
  12. ACDCritic
    Jun 20, 2008
    10
    Honestly, a near-perfect CD. One of the best the Offspring have ever released. Kristy may be a slight mis-step but even that's listenable.
  13. MilesM.
    Jun 21, 2008
    10
    Except for "Fix You" this is a masterpiece.
  14. JamesB.
    Jun 24, 2008
    10
    It's one of their best albums, but i think it would be better without some songs, but still is almost perfec.
  15. ScottE.
    Jul 1, 2008
    7
    Several great songs and a couple not so strong. Worth listening to from top to bottom.
  16. WeaselG.
    Jun 19, 2008
    10
    Goddamn this album is really amazing. When I first heard Hammerhead I was a little dissappointed but like everything Offspring it grows on you very quickly and doesn't let go. For me the order of the songs don't show the full strength of the album but like all Offspring fans will, I saw past this straight away and was hooked immediately. In my opinion this is Dexter and Co. at Goddamn this album is really amazing. When I first heard Hammerhead I was a little dissappointed but like everything Offspring it grows on you very quickly and doesn't let go. For me the order of the songs don't show the full strength of the album but like all Offspring fans will, I saw past this straight away and was hooked immediately. In my opinion this is Dexter and Co. at their most significant since Americana, If anything, it ends quickly but thats only because you end up enjoying it so much, 43 minutes that end up feeling more like 23 minutes… Expand
  17. KoraxN.
    Jun 21, 2008
    8
    Good return and a good mix of styles, since the power punk of Smash to ballads similar to Gree Days "wake me up when september ends". Nice.
  18. JamesT.
    Jun 20, 2008
    9
    Awesome album, I'm glad thatsome critics dislike since people in general hate good music. Punk is invented to be hated by normal people after all. Hell, nowadays if rap is so popular then if an album has a good rating it means it's crap basically.
  19. NS
    Jun 22, 2008
    2
    The Offspring were cool back in '94. That's about it though. And sadly, I'm old enough to actually remember when Smash was released, so I guess I have my experience when it comes to punk. Yeah, so, if you're 12 years old, you may like this album, but if you're an older married guy with a professional career, then I guess you'll get a good laugh at how bad it The Offspring were cool back in '94. That's about it though. And sadly, I'm old enough to actually remember when Smash was released, so I guess I have my experience when it comes to punk. Yeah, so, if you're 12 years old, you may like this album, but if you're an older married guy with a professional career, then I guess you'll get a good laugh at how bad it is with all your childhood friends.… Expand
  20. Korne
    Jun 24, 2008
    4
    First off, I am a huge Offspring fan. While Hammerhead was just what I was looking for, the rest of the CD wasn't. Often it sounded too much like other bands including Greenday and Foo Fighters, but never really like the Offspring. This is a there worst CD to date next to their original demo 'Offspring'.
  21. RobertR.
    Jun 28, 2008
    10
    This is probably one of my favorite albums of all time. I don't know what makes it so good; all i know is that it is amazing. 10 out of 10.
  22. DavidJ.
    Jul 30, 2008
    10
    After listening to this several times in a pretty decent music system as well with a pro headphones on...Man, such great album that!!! The production here rocks. Can't stop listening to it. Boy, Offspring came back. Rock n Roll it's still alive.
  23. AurelianoF
    Aug 9, 2008
    10
    This is one of the best and favourite album along with Americana. Kristi are you doing OK? it's amazing.. All songs are really good... Maybe The offspring changed the style and it's not what it used to be back then. But still i can recommend this album.
  24. OknD
    Sep 18, 2009
    8
    I like this album. Pretty good. Especially Trust in You, Half Truism, You're gonna go far kid, Kristy are you doing okay? O.C Life.
  25. chrism
    Jun 18, 2008
    10
    What an excellent album, I can't stop listening to it...and for those idiot critics who gave the album a crap review I just want to know if they actually listened to the same album i did. LA Times saying it "sagged" in the middle haha, thats when the album was the best. The #9 track, "Stuff is Messed Up" is up there being one of Offsprings best tracks ever. The entire album begins What an excellent album, I can't stop listening to it...and for those idiot critics who gave the album a crap review I just want to know if they actually listened to the same album i did. LA Times saying it "sagged" in the middle haha, thats when the album was the best. The #9 track, "Stuff is Messed Up" is up there being one of Offsprings best tracks ever. The entire album begins with a bang and doesn't let up. If you like punk rock then you should definitely go out and buy this album. Every song on the album is great.… Expand
  26. MitchR.
    Jun 19, 2008
    9
    Awesome. Worth the wait Especially the first 4 songs.
  27. Nigel
    Jun 19, 2008
    9
    Fantastic album, love their old stuff and this is a great comeback. Its most of what I could ask for with some nice surprises. Not totally strong through the whole, but worth it anway.
  28. YoamM.
    Jun 21, 2008
    10
    Their best album to date.
  29. BillG.
    Jun 22, 2008
    10
    I personally love the album. It is easy to follow and has a great beat. My personal favorites are Your Gonna Go Far Kid, Lets Hear it For Rock Bottom, Nothingtown, and actually all the rest i love to. The only one that I don't like that much is fix you. Kinda dry and boring. But i think it is a great album.
  30. TomH.
    Jun 23, 2008
    8
    Solid return from wimpy 2003 album Splinter. Album carries sounds from Ixnay to Americana, but doesn't focus on the novelty music, more similar to Green Day's American Idiot than anything else. The album is 3/4 good and the production from Bob Rock didn't bother me.
  31. [Anonymous]
    Jul 22, 2008
    5
    This album starts with great songs, but then they tend to be too commercial.
  32. JeffV
    Jul 28, 2008
    5
    I used to be a big Offspring fan. I own all of their albums (yes,even the pre-Smash stuff) and I can't help but be disappointed with their latest effort. It sounds like a band desperately trying to stay relevant. They write music in a few different genres on Rise and Fall, but none of it sounds like anything new. Frankly, I think they need to get reinspired and remember why they I used to be a big Offspring fan. I own all of their albums (yes,even the pre-Smash stuff) and I can't help but be disappointed with their latest effort. It sounds like a band desperately trying to stay relevant. They write music in a few different genres on Rise and Fall, but none of it sounds like anything new. Frankly, I think they need to get reinspired and remember why they started making music in the first place.… Expand
  33. BrunoS.
    Jan 27, 2009
    9
    Their best record since Ixnay On The Hombre. Thisis an album that really grows on you.
  34. JackkyS
    Feb 18, 2009
    10
    Super album ! "Trust in you", "A lot like me", "Half-Truism", "Hammerhead" - The BEST.
  35. KamachoMcSagget
    Jul 29, 2011
    8
    It tries to be a bit more serious than other Offspring albums, but it still sounds really good. In fact, I'd say this is probably their best album (aside from "Greatest Hits", of course).
  36. GCMANINDAHOOD
    Jan 25, 2012
    1
    Punk rock is lost to a generation of retards like these guys and I no longer find the same luster in it as in Green Day and Blink-182 but overall Offspring sucks and when they try to be funny they are just crude and make themselves look like a-holes and they always use curse words at the wrong time and their material and way of writing is just annoying and stupid, Offspring sucks.
  37. axelkoch
    Jan 13, 2013
    5
    The usual topics of punk rock songs: drugs, bad politics, how messed up "stuff" is, or breaking up with a girl. They don't reinvent the genre and partly, the riffs and the lyrics aren't even new. Anyway, it's their best album ever and I'd take out 4 songs that I can really enjoy. But the record is no big deal with its sometimes silly lyrics, bad voice of the lead singer and the montonyThe usual topics of punk rock songs: drugs, bad politics, how messed up "stuff" is, or breaking up with a girl. They don't reinvent the genre and partly, the riffs and the lyrics aren't even new. Anyway, it's their best album ever and I'd take out 4 songs that I can really enjoy. But the record is no big deal with its sometimes silly lyrics, bad voice of the lead singer and the montony which gets heavier and heavier by the end.… Expand
  38. SlasherV
    Oct 27, 2012
    7
    I liked This Album is pretty decent it doesn't really go above and Beyond like the earlier offspring Albums but it still manages to work. Stuff is Messed Up is one of the more underrated tracks, it didn't get as much publicity as Your Gonna go Far Kid or Hammerhead. Yet still managing to be just as good as both
  39. drainbramaged
    Jun 21, 2013
    3
    While this album has a few fun moments it's outbalanced by dull ones. It just seems that Dexter Holland has an inability to write a pop song that doesn't get tedious or boring. And that's not to say that he can't write a decent song. Check out The Offspring's 1989 track 'Beheaded' as a true example of what Mr. Holland is capable of. Clearly, The Offspring are in the wrong genre of music.While this album has a few fun moments it's outbalanced by dull ones. It just seems that Dexter Holland has an inability to write a pop song that doesn't get tedious or boring. And that's not to say that he can't write a decent song. Check out The Offspring's 1989 track 'Beheaded' as a true example of what Mr. Holland is capable of. Clearly, The Offspring are in the wrong genre of music. The only song on the album where I felt interested was on 'Hammerhead' and it's actually a great song. It's just a shame there weren't more like it.
    We need more Hammerhead and less You're Gonna Go Far Kid...    … Expand
  40. Superkid
    Nov 27, 2014
    10
    This was the first offspring album I listened to and it is also my favorite. It has my favorite Offspring song: You're Gonna Go Far Kid. This also has Half-Truism and Trust in You. It has the best music in all of the Offspring's music I also have an honorable mention that is in the album Days Go By: Slim Pickens Does The Right Thing and Rides The Bomb To Hell. But it is definitely withoutThis was the first offspring album I listened to and it is also my favorite. It has my favorite Offspring song: You're Gonna Go Far Kid. This also has Half-Truism and Trust in You. It has the best music in all of the Offspring's music I also have an honorable mention that is in the album Days Go By: Slim Pickens Does The Right Thing and Rides The Bomb To Hell. But it is definitely without a doubt my favorite Offspring album… Expand
  41. RyFox
    Dec 14, 2015
    7
    To be honest, I can say that I was a fan of almost all the songs in this album. However, compared to their previous work it just doesn't quite add up. If you only can get a few songs though, I recommend You're Gonna Go Far Kid, Rise & Fall, and Stuff Is Messed Up.
  42. RageAndGrace
    Oct 23, 2018
    9
    This album is straight-up amazing. It starts with Half-Truism, a song that resonates with me really well. The whole "if we don't make it alive it's a hell of a good day to die" is a strong effort that I listen too probably way too much (if that's possible).

    Trust in You is fast and energetic, and I always have fun listening to it (and playing the drums to it. I'm a drummer.) You're    This album is straight-up amazing. It starts with Half-Truism, a song that resonates with me really well. The whole "if we don't make it alive it's a hell of a good day to die" is a strong effort that I listen too probably way too much (if that's possible).

    Trust in You is fast and energetic, and I always have fun listening to it (and playing the drums to it. I'm a drummer.)

    You're Gonna Go Far, Kid and Hammerhead are massively successful masterpieces. I prefer Hammerhead just slightly because it's faster and more versatile. Both amazing songs.

    A Lot Like Me is a slow but powerful song, and that's kind of a theme with this album. A sense of urgency and power in all the songs. I really like that about it. Just think The Future is Now/Secrets From the Underground. That's what I think about this album.

    Takes Me Nowhere is great, but the rest of the album is just a little better. I don't skip over this song, but I would give it an 8.5 compared to the average 10/10 for these songs.

    Kristy, Are You Doing Okay? is a powerful masterpiece that used to be my favorite track by the Offspring, and still my favorite on the album. The Offspring, a band that used to be known for their "joking" songs, now has songs like this and Hit That that touch on serious issues, and they pull it off well.

    Nothingtown is absolutely perfect in every way, and Stuff is Messed Up is even better. They're the two 'I can't stop pressing repeat' tracks on the album.

    Fix You is a heartfelt and strong song that I adore for its beautiful and graceful lyrics.

    Let's Hear it for Rock Bottom. Best song title ever, and is a pretty decent song too. It kind of drags on, but on first listen it's amazing.

    I like Rise and Fall because it reminds me of a Green Day song, but is still so unique that I can't call it copying. (Except the starting riff kind of reminding me of American Idiot.)

    The album is amazing. I suggest listening to it.    … Expand
  43. clem666
    Jan 19, 2021
    5
    This is the first Offspring album I listened to. In my early teenage years I would surely have given it a 9 out of 10 to testify how many times this album joyfully accompagnied my on my way to school. I obviously listened to it again before posting this review. Ouch, my adolescence is taking a hit. One can easily feel in the voice of Dexter Holland (the singer of the band) that tirednessThis is the first Offspring album I listened to. In my early teenage years I would surely have given it a 9 out of 10 to testify how many times this album joyfully accompagnied my on my way to school. I obviously listened to it again before posting this review. Ouch, my adolescence is taking a hit. One can easily feel in the voice of Dexter Holland (the singer of the band) that tiredness and lassitude manage to take effect despite the energetic and wild rhythms of the songs. Not to mention of course the monotony of his tone of voice that doesn't let any decent emotion filter. The mix of many different genres prevents the album from becoming repetitive after the second track to the detriment of creating a worthy cohesion. This album is not horrible, but it's only a small step away from being a project that failed all the way through.… Expand
  44. Whomstami
    Feb 4, 2021
    8
    This album is pretty good. I like how the band doesn't really take themselves seriously and they know who they are and what they do. It's just fun.

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Most Discussed Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. AllMusic
    40
    It's not that the Offspring sound behind the times on their eighth album, Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace--it's that they sound disconnected from it.
    Read full review
  2. Billboard
    60
    There are potent moments like the rise-and-fall ballad 'Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?' and the fierce 'Nothingtown,' but 'Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace' sounds more like a tentative step in the Offspring's new direction.
    Read full review
  3. Los Angeles Times
    75
    The album tends to sag in the middle, and as for those gentler moments, well, one for two isn't bad ('Kristi, Are You Doing Okay?' is OK).
    Read full review
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