Conspiracy of One
Conspiracy of One is the sixth studio album by American punk rock band the Offspring, released on November 14, 2000, by Columbia Records. By the time of its release, the band had come out in support of peer-to-peer file sharing, claiming it would not hurt sales. Conspiracy of One was originally planned to be released directly on their website before retail, until Columbia Records threatened to sue and the album ended up as a physical release. The album was the last to feature drummer Ron Welty, who left the band in early 2003 to pursue his career with Steady Ground.
Conspiracy of One | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 14, 2000 | |||
Recorded | June–August 2000 | |||
Studio | NRG Recording Studios, North Hollywood | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 37:44 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Producer | Brendan O'Brien | |||
The Offspring chronology | ||||
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The Offspring studio album chronology | ||||
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Singles from Conspiracy of One | ||||
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Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 60/100[1] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
Alternative Press | 6/10[3] |
The A.V. Club | Negative[4] |
Christgau's Consumer Guide | [5] |
Drowned in Sound | 2/10[6] |
Entertainment Weekly | B[7] |
Rolling Stone | [8] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [9] |
Select | [10] |
Spin | 7/10[11] |
Conspiracy of One debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200, selling over 125,000 copies in its first week of sales,[12] and spawned the singles "Original Prankster", "Want You Bad", and "Million Miles Away". Although not as successful as their previous album Americana (1998), it was later certified platinum by the RIAA in the United States.
Background and recording
The Offspring spent much of 1999 on tour promoting the Americana album. They also appeared at the infamous Woodstock 1999, where their performance was broadcast live on pay-per-view television. After some time off, the members reconvened in early 2000 to begin work on new material, nine songs of which were in the demo phase at the time. Frontman Dexter Holland told Rolling Stone in May 2000 that, "we came home last Christmas and we kind of took a month just trying to recoup and we started thinking, 'Well, do we want to get started on another record right away?'. "We're all pretty excited about the way things have gone so I spent a couple of months trying to come up with some new material and then [started] jamming out these demos."[13] The Offspring officially entered the studio to begin recording sessions for Conspiracy of One in June 2000. For the recording of the album, the band tapped Brendan O'Brien as its producer and recorded the album at NRG studios in North Hollywood, California over a two-month period.
Reception
Conspiracy of One was released on November 14, 2000, and peaked at number 9 on the US Billboard 200 album chart.[14] Five weeks after its release, the album was certified gold and platinum.[15] The album was also successful in Canada, selling 25,231 copies in its first week and debuting at #4 on the Canadian Albums Chart.[16] The album was certified 2x Platinum by the CRIA in February 2007.[17]
Liana Jonas of AllMusic described Conspiracy of One as The Offspring's "most musically mature collection to date". Jonas praised the music as "tight arrangements, vocal interplay and refined guitar work" and claims the band injected "elements of hip hop, rap metal, and Nirvana-like grunge into a few songs". The album received a rating of three and a half out of five stars, while producing three singles, "Original Prankster", "Want You Bad" and "Million Miles Away", that earned The Offspring its commercial success.[2] So far, the album holds a score of 60 out of 100 from Metacritic based on "mixed or average reviews".[1] The album was included at number 13 on Rock Sound's "The 51 Most Essential Pop Punk Albums of All Time" list.[18]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Bryan Keith Holland, Kevin John Wasserman, Gregory David Kriesel, Ronald Welty[19].
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" | 0:06 |
2. | "Come Out Swinging" | 2:47 |
3. | "Original Prankster" | 3:42 |
4. | "Want You Bad" | 3:23 |
5. | "Million Miles Away" | 3:40 |
6. | "Dammit, I Changed Again" | 2:49 |
7. | "Living in Chaos" | 3:28 |
8. | "Special Delivery" | 3:00 |
9. | "One Fine Day" | 2:45 |
10. | "All Along" | 1:39 |
11. | "Denial, Revisited" | 4:33 |
12. | "Vultures" | 3:35 |
13. | "Conspiracy of One" | 2:17 |
Total length: | 37:44 |
Bonus tracks
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
14. | "Huck It" | 2:38 |
Total length: | 40:22 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
14. | "Huck It" | 2:38 |
15. | "The Kids Aren't Alright" (Live) | 3:03 |
Total length: | 43:25 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
14. | "80 Times" (T.S.O.L. cover) | 2:07 |
Total length: | 39:51 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
14. | "Staring At The Sun" (Live) | 2:28 |
15. | "All I Want" (Live) | 2:08 |
Total length: | 42:20 |
Chart performance
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[52] | 2× Platinum | 140,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[53] | Gold | 25,000* |
Belgium (BEA)[54] | Gold | 25,000* |
Canada (Music Canada)[55] | 2× Platinum | 200,000^ |
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[56] | Gold | 29,330[56] |
Germany (BVMI)[57] | Gold | 150,000^ |
Italy (FIMI)[58] | Gold | 50,000* |
Japan (RIAJ)[59] | Platinum | 200,000^ |
Netherlands (NVPI)[60] | Gold | 40,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[61] | Platinum | 15,000^ |
Norway (IFPI Norway)[62] | Gold | 25,000* |
Poland (ZPAV)[63] | Gold | 50,000* |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[64] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
Sweden (GLF)[65] | Gold | 40,000^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[66] | Platinum | 50,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[67] | Gold | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[68] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
Summaries | ||
Europe (IFPI)[69] | Platinum | 1,000,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Personnel
The Offspring
- Dexter Holland – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Greg K. – bass, backing vocals
- Ron Welty – drums
Additional personnel
- Redman – vocals on "Original Prankster"
- Chris "X-13" Higgins – backing vocals
Production
- Brendan O'Brien - producer, mixing
- Justin Beope – design
- Billy Bowers – engineer
- Nick DiDia – engineer
- David Dominguez – assistant engineer
- Karl Egsieker – mixing
- Ryan Williams – mixing
- Sean Evans – art direction
- Alan Forbes – illustrations
- Ross Garfield – drum technician
- Sarkis Kaloustian – design
- Steve Masi – guitar technician
- Eddy Schreyer – mastering
References
Notes
- "Critic reviews for Conspiracy Of One". Metacritic. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
- "Conspiracy of One". AllMusic. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
- "The Offspring: Conspiracy of One". Alternative Press: 81. January 2001.
- Thompson, Stephen (14 November 2000). "The Offspring: Conspiracy Of One". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- Christgau, Robert (2000-10-15). "The Offspring". Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. Macmillan Publishing. ISBN 9780312245603.
- Kimmitt, James (13 November 2000). "The Offspring: Conspiracy of One". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- Browne, David (2000-11-17). "Conspiracy of One Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
- Kemp, Rob (2000-11-23). "The Offspring: Conspiracy of One : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2007-10-01. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
- Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian, eds. (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
- "The Offspring: Conspiracy of One". Select: 106. Jan 2001.
- Sinagra, Laura (January 2001). "The Offspring: Conspiracy of One (Sony)". Spin: 113. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- Joe D'Angelo (2003-12-17). "Ruben Debuts At #1 But Can't Match Clay's First-Week Sales - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine (May 1, 2000). "Offspring Prep for Next Album". Euro.Real.com. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
- "Conspiracy of One's entry at Billboard.com". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
- "RIAA Certification (type in "Offspring" in the artist box)". RIAA. Archived from the original on 2007-06-26. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
- "'Beatles 1' debuts at #1 in Canada". Jam!. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- "Gold & Platinum Certification - February 2007". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- Bird, ed. 2014, p. 73
- "BMI Entry". Repertoire.bmi.com. Archived from the original on 2015-10-16. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
- "Australiancharts.com – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Austriancharts.at – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Ultratop.be – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Ultratop.be – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "The Offspring Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "The Offspring: Conspiracy Of One" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Lescharts.com – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Irish-charts.com – Discography The Offspring". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Italiancharts.com – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Oricon Album Charts Search for The Offspring" Oricon.
- "Charts.nz – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Norwegiancharts.com – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Polish Charts Database - Search for The Offspring - Conspiracy of One" Polish Albums Chart.
- "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Swedishcharts.com – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Swisscharts.com – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "The Offspring Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "ARIA End of Year Albums Chart 2000". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Top de l'année Top Albums 2000" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Year list Album (incl. Collections), 1999". Sverigetopplistan (in Swedish). Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2000". hitparade.ch. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2000". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "ARIA End of Year Albums Chart 2001". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Austriancharts.at – Jahreshitparade 2001" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
- "Rapports Annuels 2001". Ultratop. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Top de l'année Top Albums 2001" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2001". hitparade.ch. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "The Official UK Albums Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2000 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020.
- "Austrian album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in German). IFPI Austria.
- "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2000". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
- "Canadian album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Music Canada.
- "Offspring" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
- "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Offspring; 'Conspiracy Of One')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
- "Italian album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Conspiracy Of One" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
- "Japanese album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2000年11月 on the drop-down menu
- "Dutch album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter Conspiracy Of One in the "Artiest of titel" box.
- "New Zealand album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Recorded Music NZ.
- "Norwegian album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
- "Polish album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
- Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (PDF) (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. p. 960. ISBN 84-8048-639-2. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
- "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2000" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden.
- "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (The Offspring; 'Conspiracy Of One')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
- "British album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Conspiracy Of One in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- "American album certifications – Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.
- "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2001". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
Sources
- Conspiracy of One (CD liner). The Offspring. Columbia Records. 2000.CS1 maint: others (link)
External links
- Conspiracy of One at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)
- Official page for the album
- Conspiracy of One at Metacritic