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27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buy this album!, July 4, 2005
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.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Arguably their best album, January 1, 2005
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.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mike Ness & Co. deliver yet again, September 28, 2004
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.
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