Descendents
Everything Sucks

In these early days of the year, I've noticed that punk rock/hardcore has entered the programming of DeBaser, and consequently into the playlist of my musical interludes. So I've decided to talk to you about a record, in my opinion very, very, very enjoyable, by a mostly unknown group that has always remained in the shadows but is worthwhile, and this CD is a small confirmation of that. I'm talking about the Descendents, a punk-rock/hardcore band that's been active since 1978 in Los Angeles.

The sound of the Descendents, despite being cleaned up over the years, is still a fresh punk-rock and why not pop-punk, so the detractors will be pleased, definitely catchy, engaging, and rhythmic. The Descendents have never been seriously a band, more of a project to make fun music and captivate girls by the band's own admission, never too well-known to the general public but a small phenomenon in the underground. Anyway, after spending the '80s almost non-existent, in 1996 when the punk-rock "phenomenon" re-exploded, here they are again with this delightful "Everything Sucks."

I wonder how it feels to play, tour, make records and stay there doing it for passion and fun when then four little groups, four, come around redoing what others have done thinking more about the mohawks and ripped pants rather than ideas or at least content honesty. I know, I know, I'm talking about pop-punk-rock but there's a way and a way, there are the Green Day and the Offspring and the Good Charlotte and there are the BR, Ramones, and Descendents. Here we find a lot of good melody, but also a lot of fury and carefreeness, classics of the genre. Fast and powerful chords rifled off by the guitar, distorted in a Ramones-like way, just so we're clear, an ear for melody and good tracks.

"Everything Sucks" is a good opener, well driven while the second "I'm The One" makes me wonder why "Basket Case" went viral and this one didn't. Song no. 3 "Coffee Mug" is an Hardcore fury of just over 35 seconds to be listened to loud, but very loud. Other noteworthy songs are "Caught," decidedly fierce, and "Doghouse." "Eunuch Boy" and "This Place" increase the pace and speed, while the last two songs of the CD are little gems of rock n roll-pop-punk rock that are more than pleasant to listen to. In short, this record is recommended to all those who don't mind spending half an hour in the company of post surf, acid pop punk rock without frills and honest.