Customer Reviews

Prison Bound

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The album Prison Bound marked the return of old punk rock band Social Distortion after years of absence. The album is VERY different from Mommy's Little Monster. From the short outburts of anger and energy on the previous album, Prison Bound mixes country rythms and rock into the punk, and creates over 4 minute long anthems. Who would have thought that listening to Mommy's Little Monster? The album and the change to the music is very interesting, although not all liked it and "sellout" were whispered by some. I don't feel that Social Distortion with Prison Bound sold out in any way. Yes the album IS more radio friendly than Mommy's Little Monster, but it is in no way selling out the ideals that Social Distortion always held high. The album is still full of critic of society and is still siding with the working class. The album also is the start of Social Distortions new style with the country inspired rythms.

Social D made an impact with Mommy's Little Monster in 1983, a record that stuck out like a sore thumb in its era of SoCal hardcore and worldwide apathy to punk rock. It took them 4 years to get it together and release this, their 2nd full-length, Prison Bound. And it sets the table for better things to come, but really isn't all that compelling on its own. By this time Mike Ness had been in and out of drugs and jail, and the "roots-rock rebel" attitude had begun to set in permanently. Prison Bound, to me, is the best song they've ever done. It captures everything Social D are about. But the rest of the album has an irritating "80's" feel about it that, while not overpowering, doesn't help when the songwriting is this weak.

Their next 2 efforts would be much fuller realized, and would cement Social D's place among the greatest American punk acts ever. Ness eventually got a little full of himself circa the radio success of White Light, White Heat, White Trash, and the subsequent solo albums that many scoffed at as merely vanity projects. But, while Ness' "I was there when it actually mattered" pose does get a little tired, he has fronted a good enough band that he might just merit a little arrogance every now and again.

Not the youthful, brash, peppy album that Mommy's Little Monster was, but not quite at the plateau they would eventually achieve with Somewhere Between Heaven & Hell. Start elsewhere first, then work your way to this.

This album is still better than most bands that claim to be "punk" today; however, it is lacking by Social Distortion's standards. It really seems like this album is a bit lost. It's as if Mike Ness couldn't quite decide what direction he wanted to take his band. It definitely has the beginnings of the Rockabilly sound that would shape the rest of their future albums. Still, you get the feeling like it is not very realized on this album. This album is half "Mommy's Little Monster" and half "Somewhere Between Heaven & Hell" without ever really coming close to either of those albums greatness. It also has a very downbeat feel to it which is probably due to the fact that it's the first album that Social Distortion made in about 4 years due to Mike Ness's battles with drug and alcohol addiction.

This would not be a good starting point for anyone who is new to the band; however, it does have several gems. "Prison Bound" is arguably the single best song the Mike Ness has ever written. Here are the songs that are worth a listen on this album...

-It's The Law
-Indulgence
-Prison Bound
-Lost Child

Old fashioned tough rebel and very rough, this SD CD presents in a close look the evolution and principal influences of the band, and particularlly Ness'. "Backstreet girl" or "Prison Bound" are songs enough to consider SD to enter into the records of punk history. Fine sound, fine lyrics and fine band. What else can be asked!

This CD is 41.13 minutes of punk rock history !. 9 songs and one rockn' cover of the Rolling Stone song <Backstreet Girl>, proves that Social Distortion never forgot it's roots of country and rock and roll history.

The music is evenly balanced of acustic and electric guitars with a driving drum beat this very method worked very well with Buck Owens and Johnny Cash, The title of this review comes from the song "Prison Bound"
Johnny Cash in the late 1950's had a song called "I walk the line" <mmmm> ???

If you liked their cover of the Johnny Cash song "Ring Of Fire" ?

Then get this CD!

Enjoy!

Let's get this out of the way, Social D is one of the greatest bands ever, period. And this album is perhaps not as good as the masterpeices that were yet to come, but you do see the promise, especially in the final track "Lost Child," which I think is one of their best tracks for any album. If you are a hardcore Social D fan, I think you will like it and possibly love it.

This was the first Social Distortion album I bought and I must admit, I was expecting it to be different. I love Mike Ness's voice and the songs were totally cool but if you're gonna buy one Social D. album, this isn't the best. Try Social Distortion, I liked that one better.

After a five year absence due to a lingering drug problem, Mike Ness returned to the the punk rock scene with a radically revamped Social Distorton that is far removed from Mommy's Little Monster. The band shows an impressive growth and maturity that is far removed from the LA hardcore scene of the early 80's. Jangling acoustic guitars back almost every track, epic song lengths (4-5 minutes), and Ness's country influences appear on the band's second full record.

With it's crackling whip cracks and whooping "Yee Haws", Like An Outlaw (For You) is punk's answer to Aerosmith's Back In the Saddle. The Stones cover is also excellent, but the best song is the title track, the first of Ness's many 'loser' epics. Sure the lyrics are sometimes dumb (what are you expecting, Richard Thompson?) but this is a good solid Social D effort that does not disappoint.
I am now in my late 30's (just like Mike Ness) but as the Descendents once said, "I dont want to grow up", hence my 4 star rating. Excuse me, I have to go read Go Dog Go! to my 2 year old daughter.

LET ME START BY SAYING I AM A HUGE SOCIAL DISTORTION FAN, I LOVE EVERYTHING BY THEM BUT I MUST SAY THIS RECORD IS RATHER WEAK FOR SOCIAL DISTORTION, YET ONE OF THEIR MOST IMPORTANT, WHY? BECAUSE ITS WHEN THEY BEGAN TRANSFORMING TO THE BAND THEY ARE TODAY. IF YOU DONT ALREADY HAVE KEY ALBUMS LIKE "SOCIAL DISTORTION" "SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL" OR MY PERSONAL FAVORITE "SEX, LOVE AND ROCK 'N' ROLL" I WOULD NOT RECOMEND THIS ONE TO SOME ONE NEW TO SOCIAL D, TRY ONE OF THE RECORDS I MENTIONED FIRST.

I bought this Cd because of the songs Prison Bounds,and No Pain No Gain. After listening to the Cd, I wish I would have bought the CD 12 years ago. Every song is good, Indulgence and on my Nerves are the best. If you fast past music with good lyrics buy this CD NOW!!!