The Offspring, modern rock’s frenetic problem child, has a new CD out called Splinter.

While a few tracks do “splinter” pleasantly away from mainstream rock and The Offspring’s earlier work, most of the album is a repetitive, mindless filler.

“We always try to throw in some new sounds or mix things up a little bit,” said Greg K, who does bass and vocals.

Well, Greggy, the filler is nicely mixed to the consistency of a bland puree.

For half the album, the chords pulsed like a dull headache, the hooks were forgettable and the droll penetrating wit spent more time on penetration than anything droll or witty.

Nevertheless, there were high points.

The most recognizable track on the disc is “Hit That,” the album’s first single. Ronnie King’s keyboard riff on its own makes the song worthwhile.

Add that to a melody reminiscent of the Offspring’s 1998 hit “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy),” and you have the recipe for success. Or at least the recipe for “Hit That”.

Other highlights include “Never Gonna Find Me,” which ends in surprisingly haunting vocals, and “Race Against Myself,” which has the distinction of being the only song on the album lacking a grotesquely forced rhyme scheme.

Splinter, for all its faults, is worth a listen.

It might even be worth buying or burning…I mean burning as in accidentally setting your newly purchased CD on fire with a space heater and being forced to buy six new copies, that is.