Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes

Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes, the long awaited album by Social Distortion (since 2004's Sex, Love, and Rock n' Roll and 1996's White Light, White Heat, White Trash) was released on January 18th, 2011. So far the album has received a lot of mixed reactions, but it's been well received for the most part. Honestly, I think it's great. Now, my opinion may be a little biased with my excessive fandom of this band, but I am honestly impressed.

When it comes to the critique of this band, Social Distortion has really gotten it from both ends. Prior to this release there were several forum posts that pegged Mike Ness has an over-the-hill wannabe gutter punk who just sang of the good ol' days. With this album, though, you don't get as much of that at all (except for the fictional story in "Machine Gun Blues," the first single from the album) and some of those same people are pissed about it! Before hearing any tracks from the album, people thought they knew what they were going to hear, then it was completely different and yet they're still angry.

This album can be described as very mature. It's toned down but not at all compromising of the rock n' roll style for which Social D is known. It's very musical and doesn't follow that "three-chord punk" music that people have pegged them for in the past. I particularly enjoy the song "Writing on the Wall" (similar to "Footprints on the Ceiling" from Sex, Love, and Rock n' Roll, but with more substance).

Upon first listen this album seems a lot different. But after a couple times through you'll really start to appreciate what's been done. And think about it; do you really want to hear people in their mid-40's writing new songs about drinking, fighting, being a rebel, a thug, and "fucking shit up?" Bands that do that include Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Pennywise (I love Pennywise, but if you have one album then you have them all) and nobody gives a shit about any of these bands anymore. Why? Because everything they do is the same. They haven't strayed from their paths once. Rancid toned down, NOFX plays more ska and their fast songs are still laid back, and even KoRn has turned most of their music into more of a symphony. These bands have become more conscious about what they do and they've found new ways to perform instead of shitting out a new album every year that sounds exactly like everything before. This album is everything Social Distortion is and was, but it's just executed in a different way. 

Even though Social Distortion's lineup has changed a lot over the years (being on their fifth drummer, third bassist [not including Matt Freeman's temporary fill-in], and second rhythm guitarist) the band is still nearly 30 years old. In those years they have only released eight studio albums. Most bands of that age (like Bad Religion, NOFX, Pennywise) have released twice that many. This is because Social Distortion has taken time to evaluate themselves and produce songs that have meaning for them and this album is no exception.

By itself Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes may seem out of place but listen closely and you'll find all the classic elements that make this band great. Combined with the rest of the Social Distortion catalogue, this album contributes, very well, to one of the most impressive discographies I have ever heard. It's a great album by a great band. 

Notable tracks: Road Zombie (instrumental), California (Hustle and Flow), Diamond in the Rough, Machine Gun Blues, Writing on the Wall, Can't Take it with You, Still Alive (the perfect song to close out this album)