Best work since "Somewhere between heaven and hell"

This album is by far the best work Social Distortion has put out since the early '90's. It has moved on from the rough and tough origins of early Mike Ness and it fits. Mike's not in his mid 20's anymore and this album shows it.

The best album to come out in a long, long time!

This album is amazing! I just can't stop listening to it. Just as wines get better with age, so does Social Distortion. This is in the vein of White Heat, but takes a huge step up! Mike's lyrics are even a little different, almost as if he's trying to tell us that there comes a time to grow up. But don't get me wrong, you won't see ol' Mikey lay down his guitar, toss out the beers, and cover his tats. He just shows maturity. Like Ness says on the 'Live in Orange County' dvd: "Even tough guys fall in love." Here is a tough guy who fell in love. He may have a big heart, but he's still got that switchblade in his boot. He ain't gonna change for anyone, but he will enjoy life while he's here. Words alone can bring this album no justice. You have to hear it. You have to feel it inside to understand what i mean. I always hate the "if you only buy one album this year..." spill, but I have to say this one cannnot be passed up!

Walks of Fame and Regret

The return of Social D. is a triumphantly sad one. Here's a band still rooted in the punkish wall of noise that's dated by more than twenty years, a band that's been down long dark roads and back, and that has ultimately conceived an album to tell us all about their travels. Their travels, however, are with regrets and memories, with past choices and their present effects, and with respect for the sins of a musician's life but ultimately realizing the need for love, sobreity, and redemption. This is a record that musically could have been released, like mentioned in 'don't take me for granted', in 1975, only it would have really been about sex and drugs. This a record about rock and roll, told from the discursive perspective of those who have been there and done that -- this is a retribution record, a revelation statement for the world of punk. Sure the songs chug along at similar paces, and the bass carries the beat; sure Mike Ness' vocals have aged and are lucky to dip a whole note in any given song; sure it sounds like it could have been released in conjuction with 'white light...'. But that's not the point. These songs are carefully written, heavy, and sadly remorseful. There's a depth to them that few bands achieve. Mike Ness has always been a fantastic lyricist, a hard-edged writer without excuses, unafraid to use double-negatives and street grammar, but here he mixes them with rich metaphors and wise proclamations that vindicate his past that is rife with drugs, gambling, sex, and all of the other vices that accompany life in SoCal. This album is a deep and rich listen all the way through. It should be a staple in the resurrection of true punk rock. Listen to it cranked up with the windows down. That's how the D would like it.