SOCIAL DISTORTION

Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes

[Epitaph]

The nihilistic Mike Ness of Mommy’s Little Monster, Social Distortion’s 1983 debut, has long since disappeared. The singer and guitarist is still a tough guy, but ever since embracing country and rockabilly influences in the mid-1980s he’s played a more sympathetic sort of antihero: the ruffian with the heart of gold. On Social Distortion’s first album since 2004, Ness remains very much in character. He still trades in rootsy, anthemic punk rock, although there are a few change-ups this time. Instrumental opener “Road Zombie” hints at trouble at the drag strip, while “California (Hustle and Flow)” and “Can’t Take It With You” feature gospel singers, echoing ’70s Stones. Ness delivers his usual Les Paul crunch and earnest lyrics, singing about hard living and the path to redemption. Lines like “I’m here to take my stand with a guitar in my hand” would be laughable coming from anyone else, but Ness just about pulls them off. –KP