The Selected Discography Of... 01.06.06: Social Distortion
Posted by Shane Viars on 01.06.2006
How do these mainstays of punk rock hold up after the years?
Welcome back for another edition of The Selected Discography. After battling a cold last week, and missing another column (all apologies) and then having my mother break the internet (yes, yes she did) I am FINALLY back in 411 land bringing you another edition of The Selected Discography.
Mainstays of punk; Social Distortion has been rocking for over twenty years. But, in 2004, the band released a ten track album, "Sex, Drugs and rock 'n' Roll," would it meet the standards?
The Biography Of…
Originally formed in 1978, Social Distortion has been a mainstay of punk rock music for well over 20 years. It wouldn't be until 1983 that the band would release its first album, "Mommy's Little Monster," on Time Bomb Records.
The band would go through a rough patch with Ness, and go on hiatus because of his drug abuse and problems with the law. However, they would go on to release "Prison Bound," in 1988.
The band would then make the switch from Time Bomb to Epic Records with their next three releases, "Social Distortion," in 1990 (arguably their biggest album ever) "Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell," (1992) and "White Light, White Heat, White Trash," in 1996.
Over this period of time, it isn't hard to see why Social D has been one of the most well known names in the punk scene. Also during this course of events, Mike Ness had done some solo work, which was a bit more rockabilly than the stuff with the band.
That brings us all the way to 2004, and the bands first release on Time Bomb Records in almost 20 years. "Sex, Love and Rock ‘n' Roll," was released nearly ten years after the band's last release. It is also their first release since the passing of guitarist Dennis Danell.
The Selected Discography Of…
The opening track, "Reach For The Sky," reached number 27 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks in 2004, as it was the first single on the album. It has a really great high-end guitar intro.
After the powerfully paced opener, "Highway 101," is a lot more mellow of a song. I'm hesitant to use the term "ballad," because it makes me think of those horrid "Moster Ballad," CDs on TV, but this song is definitely a tale of memory for Ness.
"Don't Take Me For Granted," is a song Ness explained (in concert in Detroit in October of 2004) written for Danell. You never know when someone is going to be gone, so enjoy what you have.
Continuing on the train to mope town, (I kid, I kid) this track also features a much slower pace. "Footprints On My Ceiling," is a great track, but you come to wonder if the band could've spaced the slower songs out more. While the track is heavy in them, it also features some more powerfully backed tracks.
"Nickels and Dimes," begins to pick up the pace musically. The intensity of Ness' voice never loses a beat throughout the album, and this song is a great example of it.
"I Wasn't Born To Follow," is a great lyrical work that brings a message from the child Mike Ness. "When I grow Up/I'm gonna be a star/Gonna sing my songs/And play my guitar/I'm ready" really shows that it was a long dream of his to be where he is at right now.
"Winners and Losers," slows the pace up a bit more, and always makes me think of the song "Mad World," because of some of the riffs near the chorus. It's a really great song.
"Faithless," is my favorite track on the album. It blends the slower style and the harder aggressive guitar riffs that I love this band for. Couple the great change in tempo with lyrics like "I remember a time/I believed that the words/Love and hate/were both one in the same," and this really shows a way that Ness has continued to grow as a songwriter and as a person.
In another song that could be contributed to the memory of Dennis Danell, "Live Before You Die," picks up the pace once more, and shows a classic Social D sound. The harder, edgier riffs, the heavier drums, all of this is what got the band big all those years ago.
Another fine example of the blending of sounds is the album's tenth and final track, "Angel's Wings." The track begins with a single guitar and Ness' voice, and then after the first verse, the rest of the band kicks in, and it's a smooth ride to the end of the album.
Where Are They Now?
In September of 2005, Social Distortion came to the Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan. Part of a tour with Mest, the band played many shows throughout the U.S.
Ness has been interviewed saying that the band does have new material for a new album, but will likely not begin recording until late next year, which contradicts some reports that the album would be released in 2006. Whenever the album is released, it will be a good one. This band has shown that they can keep it up after all the years.
Where Be The Good Stuff?
I apologize to my brethren in the 411-verse. My inability to use the 'net for a long period of time has impaired my ability to plug good stuff.
I assure you that everything else is good, so stop reading the plugs, and go read the plugs!
The Bonus Track will return next week, and this Tuesday, check out the Politics Zone to see just what my stance is on politics and how they differ from my social views. Got several e-mails asking what it is, so all questions will be answered in time. Thanks for checking in, and check back next week to see the return of The Selected Discography!
