Album Review
Social Distortion - Greatest HitsSocial Distortion - Greatest Hits

Social Distortion were formed back in 1979 by frontman Mike Ness and have since released many albums and gone through many line up changes in the past 30 years the band have been together. The band last released an album in 2004 with their 'Sex, Love And Rock 'n' Roll' album and are now ready to release their first ever greatest hits album.

The sad bit about the release of Social Distortion's 'Greatest Hits' album is the fact that the band have been together for 28 years and they can only manage 12 tracks on the album with one being a new track making it just 11 classic Social Distortion tracks, but the good thing is the tracks the band have chosen for the album are good tracks.

The album opens with 'Another State Of Mind' which is a really old school sounding punk song and really gets you into Social Distortions sound if you are new to the band, the song originally featured on the bands debut album 'Mommy's Little Monster' which was released back in 1983. Track 2, 'Mommy's Little Monster' is one of the best songs on the 'Greatest Hits' collection being quite a catchy sing a long song. The song is also what helped get the band a name for themselves in the punk rock scene back in 1983.

Track 3 'Prison Bound' is taken from the bands album of the same name and is such a good song that brought the band much success, and was written after frontman Mike Ness struggled with heroin addiction and spent much time in and out of jail.

The next three tracks on the 'Greatest Hits' were taken from the bands self- titled major label debut album, which was released in 1990. The first of the three tracks 'Story Of My Life' is a really good upbeat track and one of the most successful Social Distortion tracks. The second track 'Ball And Chain' is quite an emotional song that features very personal lyrics. The third song 'Ring Of Fire' is a cover of the classic Johnny Cash song who vocalist Mike Ness is very influenced by and does a good job covering the classic song.

'Bad Luck' is a pretty average song that is quite repetitive; the song is the only song on 'Greatest Hits' taken from the bands 'Somewhere Between Heaven And Hell' album.

'When The Angels Sing' is my favourite track on 'Greatest Hits', the song is a very personal song to Mike with him singing about all the close friends of his that have died, the song is very upbeat and catchy but still quite emotional. 'I Was Wrong' is a song about growing up with Mike singing about things that he has done wrong and regrets, the song also shows how the bands music has changed throughout the years. Both songs were originally released on the bands 1996 Epic records album 'White Light, White Heat, White Trash'.

'Reach For The Sky' is the bands last single release and is one of the fastest tracks Social Distortion have ever written and played and is a top song that was from the bands last album 'Sex, Love And Rock 'n' Roll'.

The end of the 'Greatest Hits' album sees a new Social Distortion song recorded just for this album release. The song is called 'Far Behind' and carries on from the last Social Distortion single with the way it is fast and really catchy and shows that the band still has what it takes to write a good song.

Overall 'The Greatest Hits' is a good album, it is a little disappointing that the band can only come up with 12 tracks for the album but the tracks that are on the album really can’t be faulted. If you are yet to check out Social Distortion but would like to check them out, buy this album as it wont disappoint you and you will see how Social Distortion have influenced some of the best punk bands around.

4/5

Review by Trigger
 Band Members
Social Distortion - Band
Mike Ness (Vocals, Lead Guitar)
Brent Harding (Bass)
Jonny Wickersham (Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitar)
Charlie Quintana (Drums)
 Track Listing
1. Another State Of Mind
2. Mommy's Little Monster
3. Prison Bound
4. Story Of My Life
5. Ball And Chain
6. Ring Of Fire
7. Bad Luck
8. When The Angels Sing
9. I Was Wrong
10. Reach For The Sky
11. Far Behind
 Band Related Links
Social Distortion Myspace
Social Distortion Official Website
 Review Score Code
- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
- What Was That?