Somery

The Descendents recorded a series of inspired albums for the New Alliance and SST labels that virtually defined punk-pop for the ‘80s. Their stack of incredible tunes included songs that skewered their suburban involvement (“Suburban Home,” “My Dad Sucks”), their innocent yearning for corrupt female companionship (“Clean Sheets,” “Sour Grapes”) and their shameless juvenilia (“Hurtin’ Crue,” “I Don’t Want to Grow Up”). Packed inside these quick riffs were undeniable choruses (“Cheer,” “Silly Girl”) that piled on the harmonies while the guitars churned with glorious distorted power chords. “All” and “No! All!” may be the quickest non-songs in their catalog, but tracks such as “Cameage,” “Get the Time” and “Good Good Things” are so essential to understanding where groups such as Nirvana and Green Day drew their craft that it’s practically criminal the Descendents never became household names. The punkish speed of “Kids,” “Weinerschnitzel” and “Myage” confirm their southern Cali punk roots. This “Greatest Hits” collection is an excellent introduction to the group, but also proves that each of their original four studio albums are essential in their own way.