Customer Reviews

Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll

5 star:		(95)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It is an indisputable fact that Social D's self-titled album is their best work. And because of that, it has been an integral part of my CD player and has been dragged all over the world with me.
"Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll" is the closest they have come to that punk-rock love affair. It has the grit and that broken-down feeling that IS Social D. You'll find yourself at the stoplight with the stereo cranked up as loud as you can stand it. (If your tattoos don't start burning after this album you don't have it loud enough.)

1. Reach For The Sky -- Classic Social D guitar riffs. This is the same feeling we fell in love with on their self-titled album.
2. Highway 101 -- Kids from So. Cal. will get this one. Similar (in feel) to "Sick Boys."
3. Don't Take Me For Granted -- Whoa!! They're back in full force!! At the concert, this is where the crowd went completly nuts! (One of the best songs on the album.)
4. Footprints On My Ceiling -- My favorite!! Slowing it down a bit, but without losing any of the power (so many bands fail in this department.) This is the "Story of My Life" song for this album. I can listen to this one over and over.
5. Nickels And Dimes -- Kind of expected, but still very good. Good transition from the track before.
6. I Wasn't Born To Follow -- Social D has always been about the kids of punk-rock, and this song takes us back to the days of dreaming of being a huge punk-rock star.
7. Winners And Losers -- More struggle; what they do best.
8. Faithless -- This is the singing style I like best from Mike Ness. It just rolls, man, on and on.
9. Live Before You Die -- Good, but seems kind of pushed. Letting it grow on me.
10. Angel's Wings -- What a great song to end it on! You'll sing outloud with this one.

If you are new to Social D' (you poor soul), then you should start with their self-titled album and then this one. You'll then know where they are coming from.

If you haven't seen them live, you are missing out in a BIG way!! Listening to the CD is only half the experience.

Well it took them almost 8 years but the long wait was well worth it. Mike Ness has returned with the legendary Social Distortion and has released what is easily one of 2004's best albums and arguably Social D's finest album to date. The album kicks off with the first single Reach For The The Sky and never looks back. I'm sure this album might turn a few old school Social D fans off because it does have a more poppy catchy feel to it and for the first time a majority of a Social D album has enough hooks and singalong chourses that is sure to surprise some listeners. The album has a much more personal and layed back feel than other Social Distortion albums. Sadly Social Distortion lost founding member and Mike Ness' childhood friend guitarist Dennis Dannell since their last studio album and alot of the content of the lyrics on this album deal with growing up, looking back, love, and loss. The two standout tracks on the album in my opinion are Highway 101 (which is easily the catchiest song Mike Ness has ever written) and Angel's Wings. Both are right up there with the song that in my opinion is not only their best, but one of the finest songs ever written, Story Of My Life.

It's great to finally hear Mike Ness back out there doing the Social D thing again. Hopefully the rumors of their being the final Social Distortion record aren't true (though with Ness being the only original founding member it wouldn't be a huge shock if it was their last) but if it their last they are definetly going out with a bang and possibly the best Social Distortion album recorded. This album is a true kick in the balls to all the bands dubbing themselves punk rock these days and riding to shows in their limos acting like they embody the true spirit of punk rock. Mike Ness has embodied the true spirit of punk rock since the day he was born and for all those needing a real history lesson on what punk is and what it sounds like do yourself a favor and pick up a Social D record.

I have been listening to Social D since the 80s and I have always been impressed with their ability to maintain their own style while constantly tinkering with their sound. From the pure punk roots, to the country/rockabilly sound, and into pure wall of noise rock, Mike Ness and crew have always stood out as one of the all time great bands and probably my personal favorite (along with the Cramps.) Sex, Love and Rock and Roll, rumored to be their last album stands out as a strong, solid, and mature work. The hards edges in the music has softened, but the vocals make up for that. Mike Ness has again opened up his heart and soul and made an album which truly distills what it means to grow from young street punk to an older and wiser performer. I hope this is not the last album from Social D, but if it is, I can accept this as being their final work. If your a Social D fan, buy this album.

So, it's been 8 years since the last proper SxDx album, not to discount the excellent pair of solo discs from Mr. Ness. The first thing that struck me about the album is the sound. The sound returns them to the SxDx of the self-titled/SBH&H albums from the early '90s. Ixnay on the harder, more raw sound of the White Heat album. It almost sounds like this was recorded digitally, it's very clean and clear.

Okay, to the songs:

1 Reach For The Sky - Great lead-off track (ala Dear Lover, Cold Feelings, So Far Away). Nuff said, really.

2 Highway 101 - Actually, kinda surprised me. I hadn't heard this one before and it's a damn fine song. Starts off with drums that sound like they might go right into Do Ya Wanna Touch. It doesn't really sound like anything else they've done. Great melody in the verses.

3 Don't Take Me For Granted - They've been playing this for years now. Good, solid, "classic" SD song.

4 Footprints On My Ceiling - This song has also been in the live set for a while and I must admit, I was never too taken with it. It's much better here on record. Great lyrics, maybe his best. It's nice to see he's able to move beyond the 'I was a f*ck up' of his previous songs and dig a little deeper. This shows a better understanding of one's problems, and comes from a place of greater wisdom and maturity.

5 Nickels And Dimes - This, too, sounds different than when I heard it live a few years back. This is more "poppy," kinda like 'Sick Boy'.

6 I Wasn't Born To Follow - This songs has also been around for years. I think I first heard it in '97. Another "classic" sounding SD song.

7 Winners And Losers - Don't like how it starts off with the jangly guitars. Again, a lot different than when I first heard it. Once it gets into it, very good song.

8 Faithless - This is one of my least favorite songs. The chorus sounds to me like countless other generic alternative bands.

9 Live Before You Die - Kind of a stupid title, and it's obvious what the song is gonna be about. Sorry if I offend anyone here, but this sounds like filler to me. There's really nothing that caught me in this one.

10 Angels Wings - Brilliant. Fantastic song, great lyrics. My only complaint is that I wish the guitars had a little bit more chug.

11 I Can't Run No More - No, this song isn't on the CD, which is precisely my point. Why isn't this song on the album?? They've played it off and on since '97 and I thought it was a classic, sure to be on the new album.


So, overall, a very solid album. I must say, I was a little worried because frankly, the current line-up is the weakest I've ever seen in my 15+ times seeing them. This album is not as hard and brutal and raw as its predecessor, but Ness is obviously in a much different (better) place in his life.

I wish the guitars were turned up a bit in some places. I wish some of the songs just let the band "rock out" a little more. I do miss some of the harder edge, but Mike Ness' songwriting ability cannot be denied. I really think he is up there with Springsteen in writing honest, heartfelt, working class music.

After a series of solo albums where Mike Ness pretty much sounded like well, Social Distortion running at 1/4 power, Ness, John Maurer et. al. have returned five years after the death of guitarist Dennis Dannell to show all these NOFX = NOriginality clones how it's done. I didn't think this CD would ever come out, to be honest, between Mike's solo stuff and Dennis' death. In a day when 3/4 of the original Ramones are dead, the Pistols are a fat Vegas lounge act, and the Misfits having gone from Jerry and Doyle playing with two nobodies to Jerry with Dez Cadena and Marky Ramone becoming Bad English with mohawks, it's a rarity for any band from around the same period to go so long unheard of without coming back and suffering amnesia when it comes to what made them great.

I can't say what the other reviewers haven't said and said better, really. Just really beautiful music that's as dependable as The Ramones (Yes, I'm making the comparison, deal with it!). You know the name, you know the sound and most importantly, you know you're going to love it before you ever push play on the CD player. And love is not too strong a word, esp. the track I paraphrased in the review title. Great job, lads. I'm sure Dennis is looking over you from the great whatever and is really p***ed off that he isn't on the album.

Signed,
epsteinsmutha

The best rock and roll album in the past 10+ years has always been "Somewhere between Heaven and Hell". I've probably listened to at least one song off that album every day since it was released. Simply put, it is a rock and roll masterpiece. Easily one of the top ten rock records ever recorded. I have turned more people onto Social D with that album than I could ever possibly remember. I love all their stuiff, but "H&H" grabbed onto me tightly 12 years ago, and it has never let go. It not only stands the test of time, but actually gets better everytime I hear it.

I never thought I would be saying this but after only one listen I can say with all honesty that "H&H" has got a very serious rival for my heart. "Sex, Love and Rock n Roll" has exceeded my expectations in every way. It's very deep, yet it sounds exactly like you would expect a Social D album to sound. And better yet it FEELS like one! The songwriting is incredible, and the band has NEVER sounded better. Worth the wait? HELL YES!!!!

Mike, if you ever read this, thank you sooooooo much! Damn!!!!!

From the moment I put "Love, Sex and Rock n Roll" in my stereo I loved it. I bought this record the day it came out and already had to replace it with a new copy because I played it so much it started skipping. Mike Ness and Co. stayed true to from with this effort, picking up right where "White Light, White Heat, White Trash" left off. Songs of hope, love, heartbreak mixed with songs like "Reach for the Sky," "Highway 101" and "Nickles and Dimes" which are all amazing, rocking tracks. I've been a fan of Social D for many, many years now and I must say that this one is one of my favorites. Mike Ness's lyrics have become more heartfelt (even when I didn't think it could get more heartfelt than his earlier writing) and more powerful. His guitar playing really stands out on this album too...on songs like "Footprints on My Ceiling" Ness makes you feel the heartbreak in his guitar playing. His voice on the last track "Angels Wings" all the way to "Winners and Losers," an awesome display of acoustic guitar work are amazing. Like a fine wine, Mike Ness and Co. just get better with age. What else do you want me to say? Get a six pack and a pack of smokes, sit back and enjoy.

Long Live Social Distortion
R.I.P. Dennis Danell

It seems like it has been forever since the last Social Distortion album (8 years). This album is flawless. I picked this up the day it came out and was not let down. I heard many about the direction this album was going to take, but it turns out that it is another classic album that only Mike Ness can write. Each song on this album seems to have a personality of its own unlike the albums in the past. This makes the album that much more enjoyable. You have all of the elements of each Social D. album plus a few new surprises. The album starts off with "Reach For The Sky" which is a fast pace rocker (which in my opinion is the weakest song on the album) with a catchy chorus and fast riffs. The album only gets better from here. Mike's lyrics are more honest than ever and the music is just incredibly well written. The best way to describe this album would be to take "White Light..." * "Somewhere Between..." and combine both styles. If you are expecting a fast paced punk rock album this is not it. If you are looking for some good rock n'roll than this is the album for you. Mike Ness has written his best song yet with "Angels Wings" which helps me get through each day. I own over 2000 CDs and this is the only CD the seems to never get taken out from my CD player. You will not get sick of this one. I highly recommend this album!! I wish I could give it 6 stars!

I have been a Social Distortion fan since I was in 6th grade and Mike Ness just keeps getting better and better! I just recieved this CD for Christmas and I haven't been able to turn it off. I've listened to it at least 4 times already today!! It's awesome, I am speechless as to describing how great this album is, you have to buy it and listen to it and then you'll know what I mean!

Perhaps the best release of the year, Mike Ness and the band deliver a blistering collection of amped up rock-n-roll which stays true to the incredibly solid legacy of Social Distortion.

From track 1 thru track 10, as with any Social D. record, there is no fluff here....Ness displays another side in his lyrics this time around, yet amazingly manages to perhaps eclipse the power of SxDx's last studio record, White Light White Heat White Trash with this latest offering. It's a tough call.

Rock and Roll of this caliber is a finite resource in an industry dominated by whiney pop poser punk, yet to call Social D. simply a punk band, is almost a diservice to them. These guys are perhaps the greatest American Rock-n-Roll band of today, with all the grit, energy and pedal to the medal tempo intact.
Worth noting too is Charlie's amazing drumming on this record which propels the songs like a locomotive blasting through your living room.

The 8 year wait for this record was worth it!