Splinter (The Offspring album)

After spending nearly two years supporting the Conspiracy of One album, The Offspring began writing songs for Splinter in late 2002.

The recording sessions for the album lasted from January to August 2003, making it the first time The Offspring had recorded an album for that long (although their next album, 2008's Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace, took more than a year to record).

Three weeks prior to the recording sessions, longtime drummer Ron Welty, who had played on all six of the band's previous albums, was fired from the band and formed his own band, Steady Ground.{{cite web |url=http://www.offspring.com/news/224/ron-welty-no-longer-a-member-of-the-offspring |title=Ron Welty No Longer a Member of The Offspring |publisher=Offspring.com |access-date=August 11, 2013 |date=March 18, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004214330/http://www.offspring.com/news/224/ron-welty-no-longer-a-member-of-the-offspring |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |url-status=dead}} Welty filed a lawsuit against the band on September 10, 2020 for unpaid royalties,{{Cite web|url=https://www.docketbird.com/court-documents/Ron-Welty-vs-Offspring-Inc-et-al/Complaint/d-lasu-2020-cv-20STCV34993-2020-09-10-1791561755|title=Ron Welty vs Offspring, Inc.,, et al.: None|access-date=2022-06-21|archive-date=2023-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713012341/https://www.docketbird.com/court-documents/Ron-Welty-vs-Offspring-Inc-et-al/Complaint/d-lasu-2020-cv-20STCV34993-2020-09-10-1791561755|url-status=dead}} but it was dismissed on March 6, 2023.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/offspring-defeat-drummer-ron-welty-lawsuit-over-catalog-sale-publishing/|title=Offspring defeat ex-drummer Ron Welty's royalties lawsuit|magazine=Billboard}}

Due to the difficulty in finding, or auditioning, for an immediate replacement for Welty on such short notice, the band elected to have session musician Josh Freese play drums on the album; they had met Freese when his band The Vandals was signed by Dexter Holland's label Nitro Records, while Freese also happened to be in town for when they would start recording. Holland noted Freese "did all the drums in just a couple days, and he made it sound like the Offspring, not A Perfect Circle or anything else he does." After the album was finished, Atom Willard was hired to be their new drummer.[https://web.archive.org/web/20221117060634/https://www.mtv.com/news/ens25w/offspring-go-beyond-goofy-on-splinter Offspring Go Beyond Goofy On Splinter], Web.archive.oreg

Splinter offers a variety of lyrical and musical themes, combining their usual punk rock with experiments into ska and electronic sounds, and comedic songs with heavier themes about fear, paranoia, hopelessness and anxiety. Holland said that “Half this record is pretty much fast, melodic, whatever, punk stuff. But you kind of get bored just doing that after a while. I do.", and also that given most groups are "either a happy band or they're dark", he felt only one side did not fully represent him, "so I really wanted to do both in my music."{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-offspring-continues-challenging-itself-67751/|title=The Offspring Continues Challenging Itself|website=Billboard.com|date=Dec 16, 2003|access-date=December 9, 2024}} A case of the mixture was lead single "Hit That", with lyrics about promiscuity creating broken families, with funk-inspired keyboards played by Ronnie King. The lyrics of "Spare Me the Details" were inspired by how a friend of Holland did not like being given a detailed account on how his girlfriend cheated on him.

The crowd vocals in the opening track "Neocon" were recorded at Reading Festival in 2002 during the Offspring's set on the festival's main stage.

There was another song recorded for the album, called "Pass Me By". The band felt that it was too heavy for Splinter, which is why it was not included on the disc.[http://www.offspring.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Offspring.woa/wa/journal?journal=430176 Journal Entry] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429213515/http://www.offspring.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Offspring.woa/wa/journal?journal=430176 |date=April 29, 2009 }} by Dexter Holland, posted 18 August, 2006

On April Fools' Day 2003, the album's title was jokingly announced as Chinese Democracy, the same name of a repeatedly delayed album by Guns N' Roses. Holland quipped, "You snooze, you lose. Axl ripped off my braids, so I ripped off his album title."{{cite web |url=http://www.offspring.com/band/history |title=The Offspring History (Official Website) |publisher=The Offspring |access-date=June 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623131010/http://www.offspring.com/band/history |archive-date=June 23, 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/33-insane-facts-about-chinese-democracy-183467 |title=33 insane facts about Chinese Democracy |access-date=March 14, 2012 |author=Henry Yates |date=November 19, 2008 |publisher=MusicRadar}} Holland detailed someone actually suggested Chinese Democracy as the band struggled to think of an album title and instead was saying comedic suggestions like Offspring Bloody Offspring, and that Guns N' Roses considered legal actions but were deterred by how album titles cannot be copyrighted before release.[https://web.archive.org/web/20130421122401/http://www.spinner.com/2009/03/12/offspring-reveals-attempt-to-steal-chinese-democracy/ Offspring Reveal Attempt to Steal 'Chinese Democracy'], Web.archive.orghttps://beat.com.au/the-offspring/ Regarding the name Splinter, which appears in a lyric of "Long Way Home", Holland explained that it reflected how "this record is pretty diverse and splintered", exploring different genres, while also having lyrics "told in first person through these different voices that are slightly demented like a splintered personality."[https://web.archive.org/web/20221117060630/https://www.mtv.com/news/5sr9a5/offspring-extend-splintered-olive-branch-to-guns-n-roses Offspring Extend Splintered Olive Branch To Guns N' Roses], Web.archive.org

{{track listing

| headline = CD

| all_writing = Dexter Holland{{cite web |url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?fromrow=1&torow=25&keyname=HOLLAND%20BRYAN%20KEITH&querytype=WriterID&keyid=158459&page=1&blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&affiliation=BMI&cae=227455957 |title=BMI Entry |publisher=Repertoire.bmi.com |access-date=June 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016221230/http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?fromrow=1&torow=25&keyname=HOLLAND%20BRYAN%20KEITH&querytype=WriterID&keyid=158459&page=1&blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&affiliation=BMI&cae=227455957 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 }}

| title1 = Neocon

| length1 = 1:06

| title2 = The Noose

| length2 = 3:18

| title3 = Long Way Home

| length3 = 2:23

| title4 = Hit That

| length4 = 2:49

| title5 = Race Against Myself

| length5 = 3:32

| title6 = (Can't Get My) Head Around You

| length6 = 2:14

| title7 = The Worst Hangover Ever

| length7 = 2:58

| title8 = Never Gonna Find Me

| length8 = 2:39

| title9 = Lightning Rod

| length9 = 3:20

| title10 = Spare Me the Details

| length10 = 3:24

| title11 = Da Hui

| length11 = 1:42

| title12 = When You're in Prison

| length12 = 2:35

| total_length = 32:00

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese edition bonus track{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/7820497-The-Offspring-Splinter|title = The Offspring – Splinter (Japanese edition)|website = Discogs| date=November 27, 2003 }}

| title13 = Defy You

| note13 = Acoustic

| length13 = 3:55

| total_length = 35:55

}}

The Enhanced CD portion of the CD contains the following:

• Da Hui Video
• Da Hui Video (with Audio Commentary)
• Demo Studio Tour
• 4 wallpapers
• 2 MP3 tracks:

{{track listing

| headline = MP3 tracks

| title13 = The Kids Aren't Alright

| note13 = Island Style

| length13 = 5:08

| title14 = When You're in Prison

| note14 = Instrumental

| length14 = 2:34

|total_length = 39:42

}}

{{Music ratings

| MC = 60/100

| rev1 = Allmusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}

| rev2 = Alternative Press

| rev2Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite journal |title=The Offspring: Splinter |date=Jan 2004 |journal=Alternative Press |page=93 }}

| rev3 = Blender

| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite web|url=http://blender.com/|title=Blender - All Things Blender, All In One Place|website=Blender.com|access-date=May 31, 2020}}

| rev4 = Drowned in Sound

| rev4score = 4/10{{cite web |url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/3563/reviews/8850- |title=The Offspring: Splinter |date=January 27, 2004 |access-date=December 10, 2017 |work=Drowned in Sound |last=Hocking |first=Mat |archive-date=December 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210232549/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/3563/reviews/8850- |url-status=dead }}

| rev5 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev5Score = B−{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/12/12/splinter/|title=Splinter|last=Sinclair|first=Tom|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=December 12, 2003|access-date=June 26, 2022}}

| rev6 = PopMatters

| rev6Score = {{Rating|4|10}}

| rev7 = Rolling Stone

| rev7Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/278750/review/6210339/splinter|title=Splinter : The Offspring : Review|last=Hoard|first=Christian|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 10, 2003|access-date=April 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618171613/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/278750/review/6210339/splinter|archive-date=June 18, 2008|url-status=dead}}

| rev8 = The Rolling Stone Album Guide

| rev8Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite book |title=The New Rolling Stone Album Guide |year=2004 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |editor1-last=Brackett |editor1-first=Nathan |editor2-last=Hoard |editor2-first=Christian |isbn=0-7432-0169-8}}

| rev9 = Spin

| rev9Score = 5/10{{cite magazine|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/offspring-splinter-columbia-blink-182-blink-182-geffen|title=The Offspring, 'Splinter' (Columbia); blink-182, 'blink-182' (Geffen)|last=Beaujon|first=Andrew|magazine=Spin|date=December 8, 2003|access-date=October 23, 2012}}

| rev10 = USA Today

| rev10Score = {{Rating|2.5|4}}{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2003-12-08-listen-up_x.htm|title=The Offspring, Splinter|last=Gundersen|first=Edna|newspaper=USA Today|date=December 8, 2003|access-date=January 20, 2013}}

}}

Similar to Conspiracy of One, has been given a score of 60 out of 100 from Metacritic based on "mixed or average reviews".{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/splinter/the-offspring/critic-reviews|title=Critic Reviews for Splinter|website=Metacritic|access-date=October 23, 2012}}

Reviewers from sites such as Launch.com claimed Splinter was a welcome return to The Offspring's punk roots, citing songs such as "The Noose" and "Da Hui". The more mainstream songs, "Hit That" and "Spare Me the Details", were also praised.{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/story/12029597 |title=Splinter Review |access-date=May 24, 2011 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524184251/http://music.yahoo.com/read/story/12029597 |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} by Craig Rosen of Yahoo! Music, posted December 12, 2003

AllMusic's Johnny Loftus also praised punk songs such as "Long Way Home" and "Lightning Rod", and claimed second single "Head Around You" was the album's standout. However, he criticized songs such as "The Worst Hangover Ever" and "When You're in Prison", calling them 'throwaways'.{{cite web |last=Loftus |first=Johnny |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/splinter-mw0000323629 |title=Splinter - The Offspring |website=AllMusic |access-date=June 4, 2012}} PopMatters also praised "Head Around You", "Race Against Myself", and other heavier songs on the album. However, it also called "Worst Hangover Ever" 'idiotic' and again criticized "When You're In Prison" and "Neocon". They also criticized the album’s short length, calling it “wasted potential".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.popmatters.com/offspring-splinter-2496020386.html|title=The Offspring: Splinter|last=Williams|first=Adam|magazine=PopMatters|date=January 16, 2004|access-date=October 23, 2012}}

In 2017, Loudwire ranked Splinter as the weakest album in the entire Offspring catalogue.{{cite web |last1=Loudwire |title=The Offspring Albums Ranked |url=https://loudwire.com/the-offspring-albums-ranked/ |website=Loudwire |date=4 April 2017 |access-date=21 June 2022}}

• Dexter Holland – vocals, guitar
• Noodles – guitar, backing vocals
• Greg K. – bass, backing vocals

• Josh Freese – drums
• Ronnie King – keyboards on "Hit That"
• Chris "X-13" Higgins, Jim Lindberg and Jack Grisham – backing vocals
• 2002 Reading Festival Crowd – crowd vocals on "Neocon"
• Mark Moreno – DJ scratching on "The Worst Hangover Ever"
• Phil Jordan – trumpet on "The Worst Hangover Ever"
• Jason Powell – saxophone on "The Worst Hangover Ever"
• Erich Marbach – trombone on "The Worst Hangover Ever"
• Brendan O'Brien – piano on "Spare Me the Details"
• Lauren Kinkade – backing vocals on "When You're in Prison"
• Natalie Leggett, Mario De Leon, Eve Butler, Denyse Buffum, Matt Funes – violins on "When You're in Prison"
• Josefina Vergara – concert master on "When You're in Prison"
• Suzie Katayama – orchestration on "When You're in Prison"
• Larry Corbett – cello on "When You're in Prison"
• Gayle Levant – harp on "When You're in Prison"

• Brendan O'Brien – producer, mixing
• Billy Bowers – engineer
• Nick DiDia – assistant engineer
• Brian Humphrey – assistant engineer
• Phil Martin – assistant engineer
• Kevil Mills – assistant engineer
• Jamie Sickora – assistant engineer
• Karl Egsieker – assistant engineer
• Bryan Cook – assistant engineer
• Steve Masi – guitar technician
• Eddy Schreyer – mastering
• Bernie Grundman – mastering

• Sean Evans – art direction
• Justin Beope – CD Art Adaption
• Sarkis Kaloustian – CD Art Adaption
• Rupert Truman – photography
• Storm Thorgerson – design
• Peter Curzon – design
• Darrell Lance Abbott – design

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Splinter|artist=Offspring|relyear=2003|certyear=2004|type=album|region=Australia|award=Platinum}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Splinter|artist=Offspring|relyear=2003|certyear=2004|type=album|region=France|award=Gold}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=スプリンター|artist=Offspring|relyear=2003|relmonth=11|certyear=2003|certmonth=11|type=album|region=Japan|award=Gold}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Splinter|artist=Offspring|relyear=2003|type=album|region=Switzerland|award=Gold}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Splinter|artist=Offspring|relyear=2003|type=album|region=United Kingdom|award=Gold|certyear=2023|id=11225-2164-2|access-date=January 9, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Splinter|artist=Offspring|relyear=2003|type=album|region=United States|award=Gold}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

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{{col-end}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite AV media notes| title = Splinter| title-link = Splinter (The Offspring album)| others = The Offspring| year = 2003| type = CD liner| publisher = Columbia Records}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4umc8IE6eUP9vs8QDSTYjvDQXvoJTjCe Splinter] at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090416231245/http://www.offspring.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Offspring.woa/wa/albums?releaseName=Splinter Official page for the album]
• {{Metacritic album|title=Splinter}}

{{TheOffspring}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Splinter (The Offspring Album)}}

Category:The Offspring albums

Category:2003 albums

Category:Albums with cover art by Storm Thorgerson

Category:Columbia Records albums

Category:Albums produced by Brendan O'Brien (record producer)

Category:Albums recorded at Henson Recording Studios