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It’s been seven years since Social Distortion last kicked out the jams in a studio LP 2004’s Sex, Love and Rock ‘n’ Roll was a solid but fairly routine Social D record, a reminder that the band still ruled its niche, but also an indication that the band’s trailblazing days may have been behind it.
Now along comes Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes, which blows that notion out of the water. On this, the Southern Cali band’s seventh album (tenth if you count live records and comps), Mike Ness and company sound stronger than ever, finding new exercises for well-used muscles. Ness has never hid his love for the Rolling Stones, covering “Backstreet Girl” and “Under My Thumb” on prior releases. But here he absorbs the Glimmer Twins’ songwriting influence into his own vision. The sardonic “California (Hustle and Flow)” cops the Bill Wyman/*Charlie Watts* groove and the Keith Richards riff mastery, adding female soul backing vocals to classic effect. “Still Alive,” in what may be a Social D first, adds melodic piano to a singalong anthem, while “Gimme the Sweet and Lowdown” swirls rough-hewn blue-eyed soul through the band’s power rock. “Bakersfield” gives off the same vibe as a classic Stones ballad, as filtered through Ness’s amps-to-eleven sensibilities.
None of this is to say Ness has abandoned his band’s traditional roots punk style. The blazing “Machine Gun Blues,” “Can’t Take It With You” (which sees the return of the girl chorus) and “Diamond in the Rough” rally the troops who marched happily to the strains of Social Distortion or Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell. The band also covers another of Ness’s pre-rock & roll heroes, giving Hank Williams‘ “Alone and Forsaken” a roaring reboot and a particularly searing guitar solo. The tattooed bandleader is also up to his usual lyrical tricks, scattering tough love sentiments, sneering defiance and expressions of devotion and heartbreak around the grooves like sprinkles on a cake.
But even when Social D gets up to business as usual, business is good. Ness is on fire throughout, blasting off skin-peeling guitar solos, giving his undiminished voice a workout and delivering even the hoariest of clichés with the conviction of the purehearted. He’s zooming down a well-traveled road, but he’s doing it full throttle, and his band is right there with him. No moss on this rolling stone – on Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes Social Distortion sound refreshed, revitalized and ready to rock.
