Allroy For Prez (EP)

Allroy Sez was OK but way short of the Descendents/All's standards. Allroy for Prez is so much better that it makes its predecessor sound stillborn. Main songwriter Bill Stevenson takes a much deserved rest, and his bandmates shine in his stead. Bassplayer Karl Alvarez's "Skin Deep" (not the Stranglers' or Passions' great 45s) is the real gem, opening the record with one of the finest songs of this band's first nine years. Whopping hooks, great backing vocals, and even sharp lyrics on plastic people, L.A.'s biggest export. Of the rest, only the jerky instrumental "Son-O-Qua" is skippable; "Skin Deep" and the other five tracks clock in with some of the meatiest pop since...well, since the Descendents' previous LP. Stephen Egerton's fine guitar is so high in the mix that he almost drowns out Dave Smalley's sublime pop vocals, a real attraction to this Milo-less record. Clever cover art too, timed for the 1988 national election. Descendents live LPs are still coming out, but this is much more important now. ~ Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover