REVIEW: All Pummel (Interscope)

- Scott Byron

The elevation of California's brand of punk-pop to unexpected commercial heights in the wakes of Green Day and Offspring has, understandably, led major labels to try and cash in. Despite the inevitable cries of "sell-out" from indie-punk purists, how can one blame a band that's slugged it out for more than fifteen years (and could legitimately be credited with *inventing* the pop-punk form) from wanting to grab for the brass ring?

One can't. (Shouldn't.) Especially since Pummel rocks as hard and pops as loud as any of the commercial standard-bearers of the genre.

A little history. Before some of you were born (1978) the first of many incarnations of the Descendents released their first 7". With various line-ups and labels, the band released a handful of vinyl (yes!) recordings that were as fun as they were raucous. When vocalist Milo quit for good, the the remaining three (the only constancy from the very beginning being drummer Bill Stevenson) formed All, who have now had three different vocalists (currently Chad Price).

So here we are with Pummel, and the times have finally caught up with All. They have a well deserved place in the mid-'90s pop marketplace, and they're just pounding it out rough and ready, same as it ever was. The secret to this band's success has always been and forever will be great songwriting, and this album is chock full of amazing tunes. Everyone in the band writes well, and just about anything on this album will equal the pop smarts of Green Day. Skeptics are pointed toward the first single, "Million Bucks" ("Everybody says they want a million bucks/But I'd rather have a million days with you") as well as "Gettin' There" ("It takes a lot to piss me off/But you're gettin' there") and "Not Easy" ("I'll lay my head down on my pillow and cry myself to sleep/ It's not easy being me").

Instantly hummable, lyrically wry, smart and biting, this album is a joy from start to finish. Crank it up.