Let the Bad Times Roll
by The Offspring
  • Record Label: Concord
  • Release Date: Apr 16, 2021
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 43
  3. Negative: 6 out of 43
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  1. PhilBurgwin
    Apr 19, 2021
    10
    Excellent new album from The Offspring. Loved it, 10 out of 10. Takes me back to Smash days. The Offspring what a band, still brilliant.
  2. Gaberade
    Apr 21, 2021
    3
    This album was just... disappointing. As a long time fan of The Offspring and having heard every one of their albums more than once, I can safely, sadly say that this is the worst one. The production is bad, and the songs are meh, at best. Though, I did really enjoy “Hassan Chop”. It had vibes very similar to songs like Da Hui, Lightning Rod, and The Noose from their 2003 album “Splinter”.This album was just... disappointing. As a long time fan of The Offspring and having heard every one of their albums more than once, I can safely, sadly say that this is the worst one. The production is bad, and the songs are meh, at best. Though, I did really enjoy “Hassan Chop”. It had vibes very similar to songs like Da Hui, Lightning Rod, and The Noose from their 2003 album “Splinter”. Now I haven’t even mentioned the worst part yet. Dexter (the vocalist) used AUTOTUNE. Wtf man?? It’s painfully obvious on the weird piano rendition of “Gone Away” and it’s just sad to see. Look man, we get that you’re aging, and it’s harder for you to hit those signature high notes of yours, but please don’t resort to autotune. Just sing in a lower register. Overall, 3 out of 10. This was not worth the nearly decade-long wait, and I am disappointed with it in nearly every aspect.… Expand
  3. Tworons
    Apr 17, 2021
    10
    Rate 10 for those low scores with no properly explanations. Real rate, 7.

    Before I start, I must say that it seems kind of love/hate for this band...extreme in both sides. Since Conspiracy of one, online reviews has been always "hard" for this band. Now with streaming services, people are not forced to "buy" albums...makes people be more negative. In other side and thank-fully,    Rate 10 for those low scores with no properly explanations. Real rate, 7.

    Before I start, I must say that it seems kind of love/hate for this band...extreme in both sides. Since Conspiracy of one, online reviews has been always "hard" for this band.

    Now with streaming services, people are not forced to "buy" albums...makes people be more negative.

    In other side and thank-fully, you can reach more people, so not only haters come across, but new listeners which will discover the band and aprecciate that, in 2021, straight forward rock music, with pop-rock notes (really less on this album since Conspiracy of one!!) still can be done thanks to bands like Offspring.

    With that being said, this album is a highly surprised one. I would recommned, as since Conspiracy of one, to have a listen a few times in differents enviroments. You will enjoy the music on this album.
    Which at the end, is what matters.

    My real rate is 7 becasue indeed, it has some issues with mixing (which in other hand I would pay attention as it gives kind of 80/90s vibes feelings), is short and Gone Away cover could has been nailed.

    Is short, but not because of numbers of songs, just because, like happened with Splinter, it lacks a top ending song like Smash,Ixnay,Americana or Days go By...

    How starts, with the great This is not Utopia, till WNHSA, where there is a kind of "breath" it jumps again with -for me- best songs on here, The Opioid diaries and Hassan Chop.

    Just after, comes Gone Away, which is a nice version but I prefer the live one, where guitars come part of it.

    And the last song, which it deserves that top end song I mention before the outro...is just that, Lullaby...pitty on here.

    This album could have been nearly perfect, but hey, is more than 30 years on the road and now without Greg K, pandemic...sure wasn't easy despite "9 years" which I bet it has been more like 2-3 years album work    … Expand
  4. Improjoe
    Apr 16, 2021
    9
    This album is incredible. It’s a back to their roots sound. Only thing I remove points for is that it took 9 years to release this thing. Hopefully their next album takes less than half the time.
  5. Nikkalix69
    Apr 16, 2021
    9
    Old but Fresh AF, so nice hearing new offspring! Hopefully we will see them again in Australia
  6. Luchito
    Apr 18, 2021
    10
    Great album, best since conspiracy of one, i cant belive why so many people say that this album is the worst.
  7. FatedScythe777
    Apr 21, 2021
    4
    It’s certainly not bad, but it’s definitely not good either. Overall it feels like a lite version of Ixnay in the Hombre and Americana, which wouldn’t be a bad thing if the mixing wasn’t so terrible. You can barely hear Dexter over the rest of the group, with focus seemingly given to Pete’s drumming. Last time drums took priority in the album of a band I loved, Bob Rock **** up Metalica’sIt’s certainly not bad, but it’s definitely not good either. Overall it feels like a lite version of Ixnay in the Hombre and Americana, which wouldn’t be a bad thing if the mixing wasn’t so terrible. You can barely hear Dexter over the rest of the group, with focus seemingly given to Pete’s drumming. Last time drums took priority in the album of a band I loved, Bob Rock **** up Metalica’s St. Anger album.… Expand
  8. CactusSack
    Apr 17, 2021
    2
    I honestly don’t know what album some of the websites have been listening too but I’m fairly sure it isn’t this one. There are many things that come to mind when listening. Is it supposed to sound like that for one?! It’s so compressed and weedy. Bob Rock has created a flat, drab sound and had Dexter attempt to sing which isn’t something that sounds good.
  9. ZAEdge
    Apr 16, 2021
    5
    Ok at best. Seriously. You're not missing anything here. That's all you can say.
  10. MusicNerdViking
    Apr 16, 2021
    4
    This is probably, by far, the worst album they have ever made. The band is sacrificing their dignity to give us this dumpster fire stew chock-full of poorly executed ideas and tripe. I feel like this is Offspring’s own little Father of All... but compared to Green Day’s album I’d say this is objectively better than whatever the hell Father of All... was trying to be. Although I can’t blameThis is probably, by far, the worst album they have ever made. The band is sacrificing their dignity to give us this dumpster fire stew chock-full of poorly executed ideas and tripe. I feel like this is Offspring’s own little Father of All... but compared to Green Day’s album I’d say this is objectively better than whatever the hell Father of All... was trying to be. Although I can’t blame them for getting old and wanting to slow things down, that’s what age does to all of us. But the way they executed the slowing-down of things is not so meticulously thought-out, and as a result, makes people like me want to sweep it under the carpet and never give it another listen again.

    Overall score: 3.8/10
    Best tracks: Coming for You, We Never Have Sex Anymore, In the Hall of the Mountain King
    Worst tracks: Hassan Chop
    The album is: Not-so-very amazing, to say the least.    … Expand
  11. m0zphat
    Apr 18, 2021
    6
    Brings back memories but a little underwhelming. It is an ok album that I enjoy listening to. That said, I don't understand why it sounds so terrible in 2021. Many tracks have a distorted/clipping sound; did they try to reproduce an old tape deck sound (eg. Army of One)? The mixing/sound quality could have been so much better.
  12. Golbez
    Apr 20, 2021
    7
    Not bad ideas here just needs to sound more polished. I hope it won’t take another 9 years for anything new because that wouldn’t be good for anyone
  13. caleblewis94
    Apr 22, 2021
    7
    Starts rough, but the back half is a great return to form. I rated each song; must hears are "We Never Have Sex Anymore," "Hassan Chop," "Gone Away," which is better than the original, "Opioid Diaries" and the shred-tastic "Mountain King" whole rating was 6.75
  14. jakeyjake
    Aug 29, 2023
    3
    Some decent riffs and grooves scattered here and there. There might even be a couple of songs that are pretty decent overall, but the problem is there is so little on it that is good, and it's a record that is so short and has very little in terms of material. Out of 12 tracks one of those is a cover of a classical song, another is a piano version "Gone Away", another is a single fromSome decent riffs and grooves scattered here and there. There might even be a couple of songs that are pretty decent overall, but the problem is there is so little on it that is good, and it's a record that is so short and has very little in terms of material. Out of 12 tracks one of those is a cover of a classical song, another is a piano version "Gone Away", another is a single from 2015, and the last track is a minute-long reprise of the title track. For it being the first album The Offspring has released in 9 years, this is a very disappointing release considering how little it has to offer.… Expand
  15. chestarfi
    May 14, 2021
    8
    Отличный альбом в духе калифорнийского панк рока. Только к прослушиванию второй половины приедается .
  16. ouejp
    Apr 17, 2021
    7
    Don't come into this expecting a return to their best stuff, but it's a faint, yet encouraging, return to form. Found it much more fun than their last few offerings and some songs even have an energy I thought they had lost forever. Good, middle of the road album if you like them, but a pass if you are not already into what they do.
  17. AdriaGC
    Apr 21, 2021
    8
    The album bring back to the Smash days with some songs. It cannot be forgotten that some songs, like Gone Away feel weird (I mean no one asked for a piano ballad in an Offspring record). But the songs as This is Not Utopia are a kick in the faces of the ones that thought punk WAS dead. The rendition of the classical devil music, In The Hall of The Mountain King, feels good. I cannotThe album bring back to the Smash days with some songs. It cannot be forgotten that some songs, like Gone Away feel weird (I mean no one asked for a piano ballad in an Offspring record). But the songs as This is Not Utopia are a kick in the faces of the ones that thought punk WAS dead. The rendition of the classical devil music, In The Hall of The Mountain King, feels good. I cannot imagine how fun this will be live, as I can see myself in a pogo (lol). The lead single (which was released 6 years ago by the way), Led the Bad Times Roll, is amazing. The new sound feels great, in general.
    Anyway, the album feels good as any other Offspring records. Definitely some songs are better than others, but overall this was needed.    … Expand
  18. Antoinette22
    Jun 10, 2021
    10
    The Offspring have completely blown me away with their new album! The songs are fast, jammin' beats with lyrics that stick in your head. I can't get enough of it! It may have taken them quite a few years to come out with a new album, but it was so worth the wait! These guys sound as good as ever! I LOVE THIS ALBUM!!

Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. AllMusic
    Apr 23, 2021
    60
    Mostly, Let the Bad Times Roll sounds like what it is: the work of middle-aged punk lifers who don't change their style, sound, or perspective.
    Read full review
  2. Sputnikmusic
    Apr 16, 2021
    40
    With a good production, some of these tracks could have been saved, but by all accounts, Let the Bad Times Roll is the worst album The Offspring have ever made.
    Read full review
  3. DIY Magazine
    Apr 15, 2021
    30
    ‘Hassan Chop’ is a welcome reprieve towards the end, introducing some of the relentless punk drive of the band at their best, but it does little to revive the rebellious ethos ‘Let The Bad Times Roll’ clearly strives for. Forged from our current volatile climate this may be; an appropriately cutting and volatile response, however, it certainly is not.
    Read full review
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