by Mike DaRonco

Just when the Descendents were thought to have gone to the world of bands who've passed their prime, they return with All. With this record, not only are they forgiven for the bad spots to be found on here -- it's not like they can't be skipped over -- but their last release (Enjoy) will be forgotten. With some of their best material, all dealing with the traumas of a broken relationship -- "Collidge" and "Clean Sheets," for example -- these guys prove that the most creative music comes out of personal tragedy. And as for the tearjearker "Pep Talk," it's a felony that this song wasn't included on their "best-of" album, Somery.