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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Basic nourishment for your soul, February 4, 2002
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.
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~ Social Distortion
~ Social Distortion
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by Social Distortion 
