Best Overall Social Distortion album - period.

While Social Distortion's street cred has always been solid, my main problem with them has been the fact that they will put out albums with two top-notch songs inserted amongst eight other average (at best) tracks. This is the first album of SD's that actually has great songs from beginning to end. The only low point is "When the Angels Sing" (track 7), which must be skipped over when listening to the album. Otherwise, you've got a powerhouse experience, from the opening "Dear Lover" all the way through to SD's cover of the Stone's "Under My Thumb".



The production on this effort is much better than the usual SD level. Also, the addition of one of music's best drummers, Chuck Biscuits, is a MAJOR plus to the overall sound of the band. SD has always had some marginal drummers that basically served to keep time to Ness and company's guitars and tortured soul outsider laments. Biscuits makes each snare hit you in the chest and each fill count.



Pick up this album and their live disc (Live at the Roxy) and all your bases are covered when it comes to Social Distortion.

Just Doesn't Get Any Better Than This

The reason it has taken me 8 1/2 years to write a review for White Light, White Heat, White Trash, is because I've been doing nothing but listening to this album the entire time. SxDx have yet to let me down, and this one is no exception. From the opening in-your-face hard rock triumph to the bonus cover of Under My Thumb, this album just rocks the hell out of you and doesn't let go.



Dear Lover- The perfect "first song." No better way to start an album than by making jaws drop with a song like this. Hard, Edgy, Punk, and magnificent solo.

Don't Drag Me Down- The drums bring in this one and don't let go throughout the entire song. Great chorus, bridge, verse, solo, umm well pretty much everything.

Untitled- This one is a little slower and one that I sometimes skip through, although still great. Chorus is cool.

I Was Wrong- The Radio One. I must thank this song, because I didn't really know SxDx were still around til I heard this song circa 1996. The perfect song when you're in a bad mood and need a song to jam out to.

Through These Eyes- Being a drummer of 13 years, I appreciate the insane cymbals at the end. Love it. Gave me a bunch of ideas on what to play on drums through the years. Fast song, picks you up, and rocks you out.

Down on the World Again- Another take it or leave it song. But like I said earlier all songs on here are great.

When the Angels Sing- What unfortunately will turn out to be the song associated with Dennis' untimely death. Originally written for Mike's grandmother, this song is anything by sad.

Gotta Know the Rules- Love this one. Chorus is very fast and catchy.

Crown of Thorns- A lot of other reviews don't give this one a lot of credit. This is one of my favorites. Not as hard as several others, but still as intense.

Pleasure Seeker- I used to not get into this one, but the more and more you hear it, the more and more you love it.

Down Here with the Rest of Us- Personally I think this is the weakest track on the album, just doesn't do much for me.

Under My Thumb- Heaven's to Betsy, this is ten times better that Mainliner's version, and like 12.5 billion times better than the Rolling Stones.



W.L.W.H.W.T. is by far SxDx's hardest rocking album as well. Mainliner & Mommy's Little Monster were more of straight punk/rock albums, Prison Bound was a Western/Rock album (title track and Lost Child still my all-time favorites) Self Titled was their introduction to main-stream rock radio and had some phenomenal songs, Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell sounds much like Mike's future solo efforts, and this one is just a hard rock classic-in-the-making. Thank You Chuck Biscuits. Chuck brings in his Danzig-esque style to what I believe is Social D's greatest line-up of Mike Ness, Dennis Dannel, and John Maurer.



White Light White Heat White Trash has lived in my player for these past 8 years. I urge anyone who doesn't have it to get it and have it live in your player as well.

raw powrerful

this a must have addition or stand alone.the whole thing is excellent in its even, raw, powerful, tempo. downright mean sounding all the way through. this my favorite SD cd.buy live at the roxy for all your other favorite SD tunes