For The Offspring, It's Times Like These. Time And Time Again.

Well, at least it's better than a Pretty Fly (For A White Guy) rehash.

The Offspring return with new album Days Go By in June, and they've released the title track as its first single. Bob Rock worked the knobs for the follow-up to 2008's Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace, and if you rolled your eyes because that album's title sounded like a bit of a rip on Foo Fighters' Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, um... prepare to go nuclear.

Try to listen all the way through without imagining Dave Grohl gritting his teeth and crushing his coffee cup in his hand:

Kids, it's bad enough that the intro has a lead riff that calls Times Like These to mind. When you throw in a similar melody, a similar lyrical theme, and a similar song structure (complete with the same quiet ending), it gets a little uncomfortable. This is not to say that the new Offspring single is a bad song; in fact, it's really pretty great. But saying that is kind of like complimenting someone on their culinary prowess for putting bacon on a Big Mac, isn't it?

If you're sold on it (or just want to see what other past hits The Offspring can -ahem- pay tribute to), Days Go By is out June 29 on Columbia.

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