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. 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
  2. ZAEdge
    Apr 16, 2021
    5
    Ok at best. Seriously. You're not missing anything here. That's all you can say.
  3. 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
  4. 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.

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.
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  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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