Issue 514

Social Distortion Hard Times & Nursery Rhymes Epitaph/Shock While their roots lie in the Orange County hardcore scene of the early 'eighties, Social Distortion and in particular founder, singer, guitarist and chief songwriter Mike Ness draws as much from the blues, rockabilly and the darkly gothic country music of Hank Williams and Johnny Cash as he does from the Ramones and the Stooges. These influences are if anything even more pronounced on new album 'Hard Times & Nursery Rhymes'. Coupled with crisp production courtesy of Ness himself, this is not quite the rough and raw Social Distortion of early albums 'Mommy's Little Monster' and 'Prison Bound', but the passion and honesty, not to mention the many great hooks and melodies that are hallmarks of the band are still here in spades. The gravel-voiced Ness still sings his familiar heartfelt and world weary tales of love and loss (Writing On The Wall) and life on the road (Bakersfield), but there is also a previously rarely heard vein of optimism through songs like Diamond In The Rough and Far Side Of Nowhere. Ness has experienced his fair share of the dark side through his battles with drugs and the law, which gives greater weight and credence to songs of defiance and redemption such as the rousing Still Alive. Elsewhere the addition of female backing vocals add a soulful and almost gospel feel to California (Hustle & Flow) and the rollicking Can't Take It With You, while Gimme The Sweet Lowdown sounds something like a punked-up Tom Petty. As an added reward for those buying the vinyl edition, there are two excellent bonus songs in the rueful plea for forgiveness Take Care Of Yourself and the strident I Won't Run No More. It has been almost seven years between albums but it has been worth the wait. 'Hard Times & Nursery Rhymes' is possibly the high point of this storied band's career, and it's release is perfectly timed for Social Distortion's long awaited visit to Adelaide as part of next month's Soundwave Festival. James McKenzie