Somewhere Between Heaven And Hell

Social Distortion | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: February 11, 1992
• Label: Epic
• Copyright: (P) 1992 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
• Total Length: 44:33
• Genres:
• ASIN: B00138F3H8
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,551 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Packs a Solid Punch, July 20, 2002

By 

Brian D. Rubendall (Oakton, VA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Somewhere Between Heaven & Hell (Audio CD)

Social Distortion's "Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell" is the band's best and most consistent album. The songwriting is nearly uniformly excellent and their Delta Bluesman-meets-Johnny Rotten style has never been more fully realized. The two singles were "Bad Luck," and "Born to Lose," which are typical of the whole album, hard luck bluesy lyrics sung over high energy guitar fury. Other standout cuts include the prison lament "99 to Life," the (almost) tender "Making Believe," and the burning rockers "Cold Feelings" and "Sometimes I Do." The rest of the material is nearly as good and this is one of those rare albums that really doesn't contain any clunkers.

Overall, the best example of blues-punk you're ever liable to run across.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Basic nourishment for your soul, February 4, 2002

By 

Alan Hutchins (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Somewhere Between Heaven & Hell (Audio CD)

Music is a vast smorgasbord of styles and tastes. In the Buffet line of Rock-n-Roll, though, this disc is squarely in the meat and potatoes section. No frills, no garnishes, no fancy spices---just basic nourishment prepared to perfection. Two guitars (Gibson Les Pauls through Marshall amps cranked to about 11), bass and drums. Three chord songs. Sometimes four. Sneering, vulnerable, brash, and world weary lead vocals from Mike Ness. High harmony backing vocals. Simple, follow-the-melody guitar solos. A tiny bit of harmonica in one song. Awesome sound. That's it.

It's not really a blues, country, or punk disc, yet it is all of these things at once. The recipe for this basic yet tasty dish? Throw the following strong influences in a blender and hit "puree" for hours: Neil Young's Crazy Horse, Early Clash, Johhny Cash, Ramones, The Stooges, Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols, and a generous helping of Hank Williams (nearly all III of them). Pour on the glitz and dust of Orange County and soak in the toil and sweat of a 12+ year(at the time of this release)punk rock career. Sift in some of the searing nightmares of heroin-withdrawl, add a couple of scoops of lyrics addressing rock and country traditions leavened with the life lessons and wisdom gained by Mike Ness reaching the age of 30 when he never thought he was going to. Add a cover of one country classic that has been done by Jim Reeves, Kitty Wells, etc. ("Making Believe"), but make sure it's been thrashed so hard that it is barely recognizeable as a country song. Simmer the whole mess and add a final touch: skull-crushing production by Dave Jerden.

Serve by blocking out all interruptions and cranking your sound system nearly as loud as it will go. Allow yourself to be pummelled into submission by the wall of sound that will be emitting from your speakers. Bang head incessantly. Hoarsely shout along on the choruses. Feel the pain, the redemption, the catharsis, the sense of simultaneous doom and bliss. Find yourself almost wishing for the punishing 11 song assault to end and then cursing how quickly it seemed to be over in the same breath. Repeat when necessary.

It's good to get variety in your diet. Seek out and enjoy many other tastes from the musical menu out there. After you've munched on such delectible and ultimately empty treats such as Acid-House, Irish Pipe music or Ambient/Trance explorations, it's always good to give your body and mind what it is really craving---no-frills, meat-and-potatoes, spine-cracking Rock-N-Roll, and "Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell" delivers it. In spades. Every single time. Whenever you need it. Over and over again. Relentlessly.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Rock, January 21, 2003

By 

"haloryan" (The Anaheim Resort) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Somewhere Between Heaven & Hell (Audio CD)

The early 1990's saw a big change in popular music: Heavy Metal went out and Grunge came in. With this came a new slew of bands copying one another.

Social Distortion refused to copy, or immitate, any of these new bands and kept to their own style of Punk/Rockabilly when they released Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell. This is classic rock!

Mike Ness seems to tell a story that the average working class kid and relate to with each song on this album. Tracks like "Bad Luck" and "99 To Life" are the perfect theme songs for high school guys getting in trouble and getting no chicks.

Other notable tracks..."Ghost Town Blues" and "When She Begins."