Mommy's Little Monster

Social Distortion

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 18, 1995)
• Original Release Date: 1983
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Time Bomb
• ASIN: B000005EMY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #83,888 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
One of the true characters of L.A.'s first hardcore wave, Social D's frontman Mike Ness seemingly fancied himself a boot-boy Johnny Cash at the time of this 1983 release. The tales he spun--many of which were later borne out by stints in jail and drug treatment--blurred the line between American anti-hero and punk no-goodnik, between Cash and the Clash. And, unlike a lot of their Angeleno brethren, Ness and axeman Dennis Danell really knew how to write a song. Admittedly, this incarnation of the band is decidedly less accessible than the current edition. And while they may not be as anthemically inspiring as the more earnest work found on, say, Prison Bound, snotty proclamations like the title track and "It Wasn't a Pretty Picture" stomp along with authority to spare. --David Sprague

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "I love the sound when I smash the glass", February 3, 2001

By	"skilly101" (USA) - See all my reviews

This is the first record I ever fell in love with, I found it in the "hardcore" section of the local mall chain store when I was 15. As soon as "The Creeps"(1st song) kicked in , I knew I had found the style of music I would be listening to for the duration of my teenage years.It was as if a door to a secret society called punk had been opened. Unfortunately, while I listened to a literal ton of great punk bands during my youth, very few ever came close to "Mommy's" era S.D. While music(especially punk rock) is subjective, for me S.D. nailed it with this one. The perfectly distorted guitar, the melodies trying to find thier way through the agression, and especially Ness's SoCal accented raw teenage voice piercing through it all. This guy's vocals are unmistakable, with Joe Strummer being his only competition for finest punk vox. "Mommys" also captures one of the last earnest moments in punk rock. The now dated belief that punk was a real thing, a real lifestyle and culture vibrates through these songs. This album has all the menace and also the poignancy formerly associated with punk that is missing from current "punk" bands.I've since grown away from punk, but I still have this record, probably always will.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best punk rock album ever, May 16, 2005

By	Jennifer M. Nurse (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I fell in love w/ Mike Ness and Social D in the 80s. They toured constantly, it seemed like they came to the Cameo Theatre in Miami Beach (and when that shut down, 1235) at least 2X a year. Best energy at those shows, everyone screaming our lungs out to songs that told our stories. If you don't get amped listening to this album, you should really stick to emo-core fluffy music, and quit calling yourself a punk rocker.

The new stuff is just as good, but is more of a showcase for Mike Ness' phenomenal songwriting ability. My favorite band in the whole wide world. God bless Social D, they have fed my spirit for 20 years.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Music Personifies How Real Punk Rockers Are!, April 21, 1999

By A Customer

Mike Ness and the rest of Social D were a bunch of ruthless punks out to have a good time and share their music with the rest of us. They (along with two other bands) were the first punk artists to have a North American tour in the early 80's. Through the experiences from this tour came one of Social D's most poignant songs, "Another State of Mind", where singer Mike Ness was being faced with either continuing the tour or quitting like some of his buddies did. Many teens related to these punk icons and believed in what they stood for. For me, this band will forever be a part of who I am. Don't forget to listen to "Telling Them" and "Creeps." (Lee)