DESCENDENTS

"COOL TO BE YOU"

Review Date: 03/25/04

Rating: 8/10

Rewiewed By: suj

I hadn't known about the Descendents until the late 90s as I found out that they were the reason why blink 182 even exist. That they were the reason the whole pop-punk genre even exist. That they are the band which actually started whole scene that was beloved but now since been saturated by all things teeny-boppers and the crappness of both Good Charlotte and Simple Plan. True be told The Descendents are the greatest pop-punk band to have ever been conceived.

Their first cd "milo goes to college" was released in the early 80s and now almost decades later not one other pop-punk album can hold a candle the glory that was. Now after a couple of albums that followed not one could match their first, still they were great albums, but nowhere near the debut.

The last release was the catchy "everything sucks" back in 96. Now 7 years later the band regroups and unleashes an album that can very well combat their debut. "cool to be you" is filled with the tunes, the catchyness, and the tongue-in-cheek lyrics I have loved since I first heard my first Descendents album. Two of the most notable songs "'Merican" and "Mass Nerder" are sure to become the best political influenced song and the best nerd anthem respectively.

"cool to be you" is the best descendents album since "milo goes to college" and displays everything that gang has to offer. It shows after 26 years of rocking the crowd, pumping their fist, and cleaning their glasses that they still can hold their own with best of today's scene.

So, for all you so-called pop-punkers listening to your Good Charlottes, Simple Plans, Yellowcards, and hell even blink...take a lesson in pop-punk 101 pick this record up and learn from one of the originators.