Album Review: Social Distortion – Born To Kill
Reviewed by Matthew Williams
My first experience of listening to Orange County’s finest Social Distortion was the “Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell” album back in 1992. Their hard punk rock sound appealed to a younger me back then as I explored many different genres of music and now after a 15 year wait, they are back with a vengeance armed with their eighth studio album “Born To Kill”.
This is their first album since Mike Ness’s recovery from cancer, and it is full of the usual aggressive optimism alongside cathartic moments. They waste no time as the album title track is a furious blast to remind people that they are back in the game with their mission statement “Rock n`Roll Animal gonna come your way.” It instantly fills your heart with joy which continues into the next few songs, the raucous “No Way Out” and the emotionally charged “The Way Things Were”, which takes you back to their early days.
It’s a timely reminder of the importance of the band, with the guitar solos from Ness being complimented by Jonny “2 Bags” Wickersham on rhythm guitar and it’s easy to see why they have influenced so many bands across the years. “Tonight” continues the affectionate embrace of former years with a tender yet passionate song that benefits hugely from the drumming of David Hidalgo Jr. They get a bit more aggressive on the opening of “Partners In Crime” before settling back into that much loved Social Distortion format, with distinctive vocals soaring through.
There’s a tinkling of the ivories during “Crazy Dreamer” which has a gorgeous bluesy/country sound bursting out from within, as Lucinda Williams joins them, before there’s a quite exquisite cover version of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game”. The riff that introduces “Walk Away” is pure gold and leads into a quality punk rock song. The rhythm section is tight as hell and the tempo of the song flows effortlessly, with a stinging riff that will get you out of your seat, if you’re not already of course.
The album is a proud celebration of a band who not only look to the future, but don’t shy away from their wonderful past, and they hit you next with the stomping “Never Going Back Again”. They bring so much to each song, with anthemic riffs, catchy lyrics and blistering rhythms that you’ll be hitting the repeat button. “Don’t Keep Me Hanging On” is another fine example of the band returning to their imperious best and they finish with the fiery “Over You” with a distinctive bass sound from Brent Harding which solidifies their potency and celebrates their return.
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