Conspiracy of One is the sixth studio album by American 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 was fired from the band in 2003[1][2] and went on to form his own band Steady Ground.

Conspiracy of One
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 14, 2000
RecordedJune–August 2000
StudioNRG Recording Studios, North Hollywood
Genre
Length37:44
LabelColumbia
ProducerBrendan O'Brien
The Offspring chronology
Americana
(1998)
Conspiracy of One
(2000)
Splinter
(2003)
Singles from Conspiracy of One
  1. "Original Prankster"
    Released: October 10, 2000
  2. "Want You Bad"
    Released: 2000
  3. "Million Miles Away"
    Released: June 26, 2001

Conspiracy of One debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200, selling over 125,000 copies in its first week of sales,[3] 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

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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."[4] The Offspring 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

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic60/100[5]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [6]
Alternative Press6/10[7]
Christgau's Consumer Guide [8]
Drowned in Sound2/10[9]
Entertainment WeeklyB[10]
NME1/10[11]
Rolling Stone     [12]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide     [13]
Select     [14]
Spin7/10[15]

Conspiracy of One was released on November 14, 2000, and peaked at number 9 on the US Billboard 200 album chart.[16] Five weeks after its release, the album was certified gold and platinum.[17] The album was also successful in Canada, selling 25,231 copies in its first week and debuting at #4 on the Canadian Albums Chart.[18] The album was certified 2× Platinum by the CRIA in February 2007.[19]

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.[6] So far, the album holds a score of 60 out of 100 from Metacritic based on "mixed or average reviews".[5] The album was included at number 13 on Rock Sound's "The 51 Most Essential Pop Punk Albums of All Time" list.[20]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Dexter Holland except where noted

No.TitleLength
1."Intro" (fragment of Mike Love during a 1963 concert of the Beach Boys)0:06
2."Come Out Swinging"2:47
3."Original Prankster" (featuring Redman; contains a sample of "Low Rider" by War)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" (contains a sample of "Hooked on a Feeling" by Blue Swede)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
Vinyl edition
No.TitleLength
14."Huck It"2:38
Total length:40:22

Chart performance

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[61] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[62] Gold 25,000*
Belgium (BEA)[63] Gold 25,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[64] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[65] Gold 29,330[65]
France (SNEP)[66] 2× Gold 200,000*
Germany (BVMI)[67] Gold 150,000
Japan (RIAJ)[68] Platinum 200,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[69] Platinum 15,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[70] Gold 25,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[71] Platinum 100,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[72] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[73] Platinum 300,000
United States (RIAA)[74] Platinum 1,000,000^
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[75] Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

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The Offspring

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Additional personnel

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Production

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  • 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

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Notes

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  1. ^ https://twitter.com/gregkriesel/status/1179622520384679936 [bare URL]
  2. ^ "Ron Welty vs Offspring, Inc.,, et al.: Complaint".
  3. ^ Joe D'Angelo (2003-12-17). "Ruben Debuts At #1 But Can't Match Clay's First-Week Sales - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on March 25, 2004. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
  4. ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine (May 1, 2000). "Offspring Prep for Next Album". Euro.Real.com. Retrieved 2010-08-19.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ a b "Critic reviews for Conspiracy Of One". Metacritic. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
  6. ^ a b "Conspiracy of One". AllMusic. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
  7. ^ "The Offspring: Conspiracy of One". Alternative Press: 81. January 2001.
  8. ^ Christgau, Robert (2000-10-15). "The Offspring". Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. Macmillan Publishing. ISBN 9780312245603.
  9. ^ Kimmitt, James (13 November 2000). "The Offspring: Conspiracy of One". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  10. ^ Browne, David (2000-11-17). "Conspiracy of One". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
  11. ^ Dempster, Sarah (11 November 2000). "'Spring Bored". NME: 35.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian, eds. (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  14. ^ "The Offspring: Conspiracy of One". Select: 106. Jan 2001.
  15. ^ Sinagra, Laura (January 2001). "The Offspring: Conspiracy of One (Sony)". Spin: 113. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  16. ^ "Conspiracy of One's entry at Billboard.com". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
  17. ^ "RIAA Certification (type in "Offspring" in the artist box)". RIAA. Archived from the original on 2007-06-26. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
  18. ^ "'Beatles 1' debuts at #1 in Canada". Jam!. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2011-04-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  19. ^ "Gold & Platinum Certification - February 2007". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
  20. ^ Bird, ed. 2014, p. 73
  21. ^ "Australiancharts.com – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  22. ^ "Austriancharts.at – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  23. ^ "Ultratop.be – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  24. ^ "Ultratop.be – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  25. ^ "The Offspring Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  26. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF) (in Czech). IFPI CR. January 13, 2001. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  27. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  28. ^ "Eurochart Top 100 Albums - December 02, 2000" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 17. December 2, 2000. p. 49. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  29. ^ "The Offspring: Conspiracy Of One" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  30. ^ "Lescharts.com – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  31. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  32. ^ "Top National Sellers - January 20, 2001" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 49. January 20, 2001. p. 14. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  33. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2000. 50. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  34. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography The Offspring". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  35. ^ "Italiancharts.com – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  36. ^ コンスピラシー・オヴ・ワン - オフスプリング Oricon.
  37. ^ "Charts.nz – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  38. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  39. ^ "Polish Charts Database - Search for The Offspring - Conspiracy of One" Polish Albums Chart.
  40. ^ "Top National Sellers - December 9, 2000" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 49. December 9, 2000. p. 14. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  41. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  42. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  43. ^ "Swisscharts.com – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  44. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  45. ^ "The Offspring Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  46. ^ "ARIA End of Year Albums Chart 2000". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  47. ^ "Canada's Top 200 Albums of 2000". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  48. ^ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2000" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  49. ^ "Year list Album (incl. Collections), 1999". Sverigetopplistan (in Swedish). Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  50. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2000". hitparade.ch. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  51. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2000". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  52. ^ "ARIA End of Year Albums Chart 2001". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  53. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Jahreshitparade 2001" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  54. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2001". Ultratop. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  55. ^ "Top 200 Albums of 2001 (based on sales)". Jam!. Archived from the original on November 6, 2003. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  56. ^ "European Top 100 Albums 2001" (PDF). Music & Media. December 22, 2001. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 23, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  57. ^ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2001" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  58. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2001". hitparade.ch. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  59. ^ "The Official UK Albums Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  60. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  61. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2000 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  62. ^ "Austrian album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  63. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2000". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  64. ^ "Canadian album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Music Canada.
  65. ^ a b "Offspring" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  66. ^ "French album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 29 April 2022. Select THE OFFSPRING and click OK. 
  67. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Offspring; 'Conspiracy Of One')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  68. ^ "Japanese album certifications – Offspring – コンスピラシー・オヴ・ワン" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2000年11月 on the drop-down menu
  69. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Recorded Music NZ.[dead link]
  70. ^ "Norwegian album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  71. ^ 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.
  72. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Conspiracy Of One')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  73. ^ "British album certifications – The Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". British Phonographic Industry.
  74. ^ "American album certifications – Offspring – Conspiracy Of One". Recording Industry Association of America.
  75. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2001". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

Sources

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Bibliography

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  • Bird, Ryan, ed. (September 2014). "The 51 Most Essential Pop Punk Albums of All Time". Rock Sound (191). London: Freeway Press Inc. ISSN 1465-0185.
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