CD review: Descendents

"I just quit this jerk of a life plan," singer Milo Aukerman announces on Victim of Me, from the first album in more than a decade from these  articulate Los Angeles punk veterans.

Auckerman’s statement — and other verbal vitriol — might have something to do with  being laid off by DuPont (for whom he worked).

Then again, it might not, because he largely concentrates on  women/relationships (Shameless Halo) while occasionally taking a stab at nuclear meltdown (Human Being), before winding up with a look back at his own band’s path (Beyond The Music), ultimately celebrating the fact that the bandmates’ friendship feels so much better than fame.

 Descendents. Hypercaffium Spazzinate. Epitaph.
Three and a half stars (out of five)

Single download: No Fat Burger
For those who like: Black Flag, Minutemen

— Shane Gilchrist

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