Stephen Egerton has once again plugged in and turned up his guitars on the latest All release, apropriately titled "Pummel." Since changing to more of a punk outfit with melody than their seed band the Descendents, All's only change with this album is it cease of business associations with Gregg Ginn after a decade plus of recording on SST as the Descendents and since "Allroy for Prez" on Cruz Records. The songs are still the same, the lyrics are still struggling with criticism and grappling for a soul mate, and even though several vocalist have come and gone, each one has basically sounded the same. But thats all good, now.

Since debuting on All's previous album, "Breaking Things," lead singer Chad Price continues to deliver and earful of snotty criticism - from the punk anthem of 'Uncle Critic' to hormonal freakiness of 'Stalker.' As in ALL tradition, Price is also very capable of delivering semi-sweet, up tempo, pop numbers evident (only if your listening to the cd) in the line "What am I suppose to say, how's the weather anyway" on 'Long Distance.' The album's last track, 'Black Sky,' ends in a melodic, shook down mode, musically remindful of the Psychodelic Furs' days of 'Soap Commercial.'

Unlike "Breaking Things" which seemed to lose interest after the first three songs, "Pummel" is strong all the way through. It offers each memebers writing styles without giving us four different bands. The guitars rhyme, the words are about life, and Black Flag credo Bill Stevenson drums faster and more precise than ever. You still get that anti-politically correct attitude from the band. I'm sure they have no MAXIMUM ROCK N ROLL endorsements.

"Pummel"s songs will stay in your head. Its a white molly, guitar driven beast with a tender heart. Request to hear this instead of any of the 36 hit singles off "Dookie." ALL was making these cool hooks long before they were exposed to the massses. But then again, we did burn out on "She's My EX."

Reviewer:  Bonn Garrett, courtesy of Flash Magazine.