Customer Reviews

Somewhere Between Heaven And Hell

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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."

Social Distortion is one of the longest lasting and most influential punk bands ever. I basically learned how to play electric guitar to this band. They are definitely one of my favorite bands. Their songs are so simple, but soooooo good! This is my favorite Social D album. The songs are pretty much country ballads, but sped up and amplified.(Old School Country of course) "King of Fools" sounds just like something Johnny Cash would have wrote. "Making Believe" is probably my favorite Social D song. "This Time Darling" sounds like something the Rolling Stones would have played on the Let It Bleed album.

This is probably the best album ever recorded. I've worn out 2 cd's. I have a collection of 3000+ cd's and this is the one I pull out all the time. Classic songwriting, great guitar solos, a wonderful cover. Mike Ness is great. I know that's an understatement, but thank God he keeps doing it right. White Light and Sex Love and Rock n Roll are just as good so be prepared for a life changing experience.

I bought this album after hearing their self-titled effort two years earlier. I was hooked, to say the least. Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell is SOLID: it is difficult to skip a single song. "Making Believe," "Sometimes I Do," and "This Time Darlin'" rank right up there with "Story of My Life" and "Ball and Chain." You even get the bonus track of "Ghost Town Blues," which combines serious harmonica playing with some cool sound/vocal effects. This CD elaborates on the sound of the first album and ends up defining Social Distortion as a talented, appealing band. This is definitely one of my favorite CDs, and I recommend it to anyone looking for an original and worthwhile listening experience.

MIKE NESS MADE ME PREMATURELY DEAF!!!! It was so worth it. Oh yeah, best album ever made. How's that?

Highly Recommended This is as pure and driven a rock combo as you're likely to find on either side of the punk/rock fence. The songs are a hail of rough-edged but well-constructed originals. The band's sound is reminiscent of "London Calling" era Clash. "Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell" offers rock-steady tempos, grungy guitars mashing through meat-and-potatoes chord changes, the gravelly musings of lead singer Mike Ness. This is probably my favorite Social Distortion album, and the one that made me a fan for life.

I remember when I first heard this back in 1992. Listening to it now brings back a lot of memories on how rock should be these days. With "Bye Bye Baby" and "When she Begins" cranked up to 20 the radio, this blows away new bands that would be killed if they played that emo crap at an S.D. concert. New bands will come and go quick if they keep singing about some chick leaving them. At least Mike Ness tells stories that keeps the listener tuned in. Judging by the Hells Angels crowd that frequents S.D. when they play in Ventura, those bikers can relate. To that one fool that said Ness can't play guitar, Ness has a lot more feeling in his guitar than half those lame ass guitar slingers out there these days. Buy this album, then crank it loud.

If these songs don't get your blood pumping, you need to ask a doctor to test you for anemia. Hands down, this is one of the greatest CDs I've ever heard, easily in my top ten ever.

Bad Luck is one of the most kick ass songs ever, 99 to Life will make you put your arm around your buddy and sway to the beat, and Born to Lose will make you wish you were a 50's greaser.

There's not a bad one here. If you're looking for a great, staight-out rock and roll album, this is it. This is what Johnny Cash music would have sounded like had he been in a rock band. Incredible.