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Social D ‘aint changing for nobody. Rocking the soul country punk since the Carter administration, Mike Ness and the boys return for the first time since 2004 with Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes. Storming out of the gates with the instrumental “Road Zombie”, the band declares their intention to pick up exactly where they left off – chunky power chords remain front and center and the pounding, punchy drums thrash on.
If you love Social Distortion’s brand of boogie-woogie power paired with Ness’s penchant for packing heart breaking melodies inside his gruff voice Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes is sweet rock n’ roll salvation. To survive intact (albeit with a rotating cast of members surrounding Ness) in the rock n’ roll industry for thirty years means you have lived those Hard Times and come back swinging. Ness and Co. fire off an exemplary and celebratory album full of gorgeous melodies that bring you right back to 1992’s Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell. “Gimme The Sweet and Lowdown” and “Diamond in the Rough” are classic midtempo burners with big time choruses, while “Machine Gun Blues” brings the white heat. This is fist pumping; foot stomping, and locomotive stuff. “Bakersfield” is the centerpiece of Hard Times with its slow blues swagger that churns and burns patiently.
Classic, searing guitar solos rip and tear as supportive harmonies accent and uplift Ness’s yearning vocals. This one is a lament of love lost and longing that will leave you swaying with one hand over your heart and one in the air. “Still Alive” closes the album completing the cycle of songs that play as an ode to the band’s staying power, numerous comebacks and loyal fan base. “I’m gonna make a stand with a guitar in my hand! I’m still alive talking that same ‘ol jive,” Ness sings.
No new gimmicks, no concept albums, no ornate instrumentation. If it ‘aint broke its tried and true – with heart on their sleeve Social D brings rock n roll back to you.
