True Tribute
Marisa | Brooklyn, NY United States | 03/11/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It may seem odd to honor a SoCal punk band like the Offspring with a string tribute, but i can't see a better way to pay tribute than with a genre so wildly different and unthinkable. The fact that string tribute actually works demonstrates the strength of their compositions and owes a lot to the masterful music arrangement and production. Music is about ever evolving ideas and genre bending, and musicians are supposed to take one another's music and challenge our preconceived notions. I especially recommend tracks 2 - The Kids Aren't Alright, 6 - Self Esteem and 8 - Want you Bad. The original composition - Off String, does a beautiful job of capturing the spirit the music and definitely holds its own against the other tracks. This is a must have for the true Offspring fan as well as anyone else looking for an irreverent take on this genre."
Too Literal
Gregory A. Janik | Albuquerque NM, Flint MI, or Denver CO - Time of y | 02/08/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The string quartet tribute to these Offspring songs are, in my opinion, a bit too literal. They try too hard to stick - strictly - to the original song and sometimes it produces awkward sounding music. For example, I think the best piece on this CD is the original song composed by the group performing in this CD. In a sense this is less a tribute than a translation, and the Offspring did just fine with their original instruments. Offspring fans might enjoy this CD, but I would reccomend any string quartet tribute - done by Todd Mark Rubenstein and David Davidson - to your other favorite band."
Think Metallica -> Apocalyptica
Kelly Mo | California | 11/27/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If you were to take an accoustic version of the featured Offspring songs, then have Apocalyptica cover them, this is probably what you would get.
This isn't a disk *by* the Offspring, it's a string tribute to them. It's good for when you want some Offspring, but in a relaxing background form. The music is wonderfully arranged for the most part, with a few sparse moments not quit living up to what I think they could have. Overall, if you can pick this up for a decent price, it is definitely a must-have for a true Offspring fan who can appreciate music that's a little on the classical side."