Social Distortion – Born To Kill

Social Distortion are back!, and with a bang that’s for sure. After 15 years since their last and earth shattering album ‘Hard times & Nursery Rhymes’, which for myself gave this band even more legendary status than they already had, it was possibly a peak they may have had trouble coming down from. Was this the reason it took so long to bring this latest triumph to the masses, possibly, but also there was a small matter of lead singer Mike Mess fighting off the demon cancer too, so glad he has made it this far and still able to bring us all some poetic lyrics and music to live by.

When you think of Social Distortion you can’t help thinking pure Rock n Roll with added angst, but what you also get is music that’s built on influences that they never shy away from. From the first chords of the title track ‘Born To Kill’ you know your in for a no holds barred fest of edgy, gritty energy, the wild animal is Rock n Roll and its coming for you. No matter where you go in this album your reminded of where the band came from and hopefully where they are still going. It’s from the streets, it’s from the soul, and there’s ‘No Way Out’ but unlike the song ,which is haunted by ghosts from the past and fighting the demons is never ending, the album binds this band to the listener forever.

Whether you’re a fan from the beginning, or just discovered this band, this collection of 11 songs takes everything from the band’s life and works, and reinvigorates them in new and exciting moments. ‘The Way Things Were’ has something special that only Mike Ness can bring to a song, lyrics that speak from the heart but are also sung from the, and with, soul. The core of the music and lyrics these days hasn’t changed so much from earlier times, but there are without doubt some poignant moments that seem to come from life lived and the harsh realities of it. ’Never Going Back Again’ has an emotionally charged message throughout, “no time for crying, no time for dying” is a simple but powerful sentiment. In the vein of ‘Story Of My Life’ from their self titled 1990 album, songs like ‘Tonight’ and ‘Partners In Crime’ have that emotional biography of life sense about them, but then that’s exactly what Social Distortion with Mike’s lyrics do so well, but with added Rock n Roll kudos.

It becomes pretty clear the further into this album you go, the more and more you listen to it, this is a piece of social and personal history. It’s been bottled like a good whiskey that has just come of age and is ready to be sipped in a careful and considered way, but then swiftly knocked back just at the right moments too. What’s so apparent about this release is this is a band that’s 100% not done, this a a pure at heart album, it soars at all the right moments, but it also holds your hand when you need it. Dropping a cover of the Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game’ is a stroke of genius, its says so much about this band and what the songs mean to its listeners and creators.

I get to see Social Distortion live in a month or sos time, and this will be the icing on the cake after listening to what has to be an (clichè incoming) of their career. Its all of what this band is and more, its music and poetry thats supercharged to the nth degree. I’ve heard the term ‘anthemic’ spread about music like this, but this album is far beyond that, its ‘living and breathing’ expressed in music and words.

Born To Kill is now available Via Epitaph Records (UK here US here) and you can check out all things Social Distortion via Facebook and through their Website.