January 2011 \ Reviews \ Media Review \ CD Review: Social Distortion - "Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes"

CD Review: Social Distortion - "Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes"

Chris Kies

For the avid Social Distortion listener, most of the tried-and-true elements are still there—gritty guitars through overdriven tube amps, Ness’ storytelling lyrics, and high-octane rhythms—but they’re more refined and polished.
Premier Guitar January 2011
Social Distortion
Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes
Epitaph



With original Social D frontman Mike Ness also filling the producer’s role on the SoCal punk veterans’ first studio album in seven years, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes recaptures the musical direction lacking in some of their more recent efforts. For the avid Social Distortion listener, most of the tried-and-true elements are still there—gritty guitars through overdriven tube amps, Ness’ storytelling lyrics, and high-octane rhythms—but they’re more refined and polished. Welcome new elements in the band’s sound include the soulful, Merry Clayton-esque background vocals on “California (Hustle and Flow)”—which hearken to the raw emotion of the Stones’ “Gimme Shelter”—and the more pronounced use of piano and keyboards to drive melodies like those in “Still Alive.” In all, there’s a great mix of hotrod rollers like “Can’t Take It with You” and “Machine Gun Blues,” as well as slower numbers like “Bakersfield” and “Writing on the Wall” where Ness showcases his ability to sing about heartbreak with rugged tenderness. Although the full-throttle cover of Hank Williams’ “Alone and Forsaken” is a definite high point, the album mostly takes Social D’s biggest influences—the Stones and Johnny Cash—and pays homage to them with an affectionate tip of the cap rather than full-on covers. It all sounds as fresh as it did in 1978, and it further solidifies Ness and company’s place as one of the leading cowpunk bands of all time.

     

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Comments

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romeomotive
on 01/18/2011 		At first listen, this is much better than the last album. Will see how well it holds up. I almost did a blues brothers backflip when I first heard "Can't Take it With you". The background singers, instrumentals, and piano are old hat, but I think he is just paying homage to the old old school. I think this album will last longer in the rotation that sex, love, and rock n roll.
Jay
on 01/13/2011 		My first impression of this album is solid. Not as rugged and punk rock as their earlier releases, but that is not a bad thing at all. Social Distortion has almost been like an epic tale spanning over 22 years, one of angst, rebellion, heartbreak, betrayal, destitution, love and revival...something we can all relate to somewhere along the line. This is the next glorius chapter in that tale. It is safe to say that the mellowness of this album is a direct reflection of Mike's own life as it has been over the years. He is content and settled. A hard 4 out of 5 for me. Still my favourite band by miles.
tim
on 01/04/2011 		1st saw them in '83 at the Hollywood Palladium opening for the Ramones.........loved 'em ever since. Sex, Love & Rock 'N Roll was their best effort yet.......hard to to believe how good Ness still is and getting better.........even freakier is my 24 year old daughter still gettin in to them. Now I put on Story of My Life in the car when I'm driving with my Grandson and he sings along with me..............dig the new line up........2 bags rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BillyZfan
on 01/02/2011 		Social D is an important band, but let's face it, there's more than the typical same-ness from album to album and song to song. They're fun to listen to, but not due the religious fervor that some have posted. I would say "X" was probably the most important band to the early LA punk scene. Wish they'd release some new material.
BLACKIE
on 01/01/2011 		IV'E ALWAYS LOVE WHERE THESE GUYS ARE COMING FROM! BUT THEY REMIND ME OF MOUNTAIN IN THE RESPECT THIER MATERIAL AIN;T THAT STRONG! I THOUGHT THE CULT WAS ALWAYS IN SOME WAY MIMICING WHAT A GREAT SONG SHOULD ALMOST SOUND LIKE!
telecasterch ris
on 12/29/2010 		Social D may have made mistakes but they have never "mailed it in". Can't wait for this new album. One of the best live bands on the planet, even my kids are fans.
Justin Lawlor
on 12/23/2010 		They are by far and large the best punk band out there.
FATCATS PROMO
on 12/23/2010 		I've known Mike for years sense 1982 when i sang for the DISCHORDS when Chuck Briges and Criss Engles were alive.Mike writes from the heart and has came a long way. I set up a tour back in September for RIKK AGNEW what a great musician he is also.
Bill Flynt
on 12/22/2010 		@DrewBCbus, I can't imagine what type of fanboy stuff you would have had to say if Chris panned their new album, Drew. Sure they've been around for 30 years, but they haven't changed much since then--not a bad thing at all IMO because I believe if you do something well, why change it up? Ness stated in early interviews and lyrics ("Someone scratched my favorite Stones LP" in Prison Bound's "On My Nerves") that the Stones and Cash were his biggest influences--and he's reiterated those sentiments in recent interviews on Spinner.com, Ultimate-Guitar and even in the Rig Rundown video here on PG.com. My own critiques of the review lay in its length--it only wets my appetite with a 4.5/5 rating and a word count barely near 300. I know that's the trend of music reviews anymore, but I think fewer articles reviewed, and higher word counts would not only benefit the writer expressing his opinion but the reader who is attempting to clearly decipher the writer's message. Also, there's no room for a brief history lesson (who needs it if you're a true fan) or even a reference to previous albums--it makes you wonder who makes the decisions to go shorter because it restricts the homework and description a reviewer can do--I hope their gear reviews aren't dictated by word counts similar to the media reviews.
bozza
on 12/22/2010 		mr kies it is important to polarise,but hey cowpunk...i agree with most of the revue but somehow S.D. goes deeper than cowpunk.i still get the chills when i go for a drive down the coast even on a 35 deg day,cant wait to see them playing theyre first club gig in sydney in 31 years band history..it is going to be very very special for a lot of punters here down under



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