Social Distortion – Greatest Hits
California: the American state famous for sun, sand and Schwarzenegger that throughout the years, since the inception of punk-rock in the 70s, has established an impressive punk pedigree. From the Dead Kennedy's and Black Flag to Green Day and Blink 182, California has produced a legion of influential punk bands; no more so than Social Distortion. With a career spanning twenty-nine years and six studio releases, it was inevitable that a greatest hits album would be concocted at some point.
Choosing to follow the same path many other groups tread when compiling their greatest hits release, Social Distortion opt to include the biggest hits but not necessarily the best songs. Comprising of twelve tracks, ten that represent the band's back-catalogue, one bonus song, '1945', and a new tune, 'Far Behind', added to entice the existing fanbase, 'Greatest Hits' is certainly career spanning if not career defining.
Beginning with ballsy anthem 'Another State Of Mind' and standout track 'Mommy's Little Monster,' both taken from their 1983 debut of the same name, Social Distortion start their greatest hits with their roots; straight up and raw punk-rock. Adopting either a lethargic or a warts-and-all approach, depending on your point of view, the band have included the original cuts of both tracks, 80s production values and all. This creates a slight issue in light of the chronological progression of the album; the more recent tracks are of a higher sound quality which invokes the false impression that the older material pales in comparison to newer work, purely because the sound is clearer. Is it so much to expect bands releasing such compilations to rerecord old material to bring it up to scratch? Surely this would give the record, which is essentially a compilation of tracks elsewhere available, more value for money? I digress.
Next up is 'Prison Bound', the only number from 1988's namesake album. A melody driven melancholy affair, which in spite of it's nonchalant tempo, still has room for a killer guitar solo, the track shows off Social Distortion's softer side whilst fully justifying it's place on the record. Following 'Prison Bound' are three songs from 1990's eponymous major label debut, 'Social Distortion.' Forming the band's most recognised repertoire, 'Story Of My Life', 'Ball And Chain' and the Johnny Cash cover 'Ring Of Fire' are classic Social D tracks. From the oddly uplifting reflection of 'Story Of My Life' to the haunting ballad of inadequacy in 'Ball And Chain', this three-piece showcase is the highlight of the album; illustrating that the band can infectiously mix punk and country on occasion they also reveal front-man Mike poignant lyrical ability as he covers issues like entrapment and self-affirmation.
'Somewhere Between Heaven And Hell', 1992s effort from the band, provides only one track; 'Bad Luck'. Though not quite filler, 'Bad Luck' is the weakest song on the album – the track's passive charm being undone by it's lack of urgency. 1996s 'White Light, White Heat, White Trash' disappointingly provides 'When The Angels Sing' and 'I Was Wrong', which despite being great tracks in their own right, did not deserve to be granted a place on the album over the sublime 'Don't Drag Me Down', which was left out. Ending the 'hits' with 'Reach For The Sky', a powerful call to arms lifted from Social Distortion's most recent release 'Sex, Love And Rock 'N' Roll', the band conclude the electrifying sonic journey through their impressive catalogue.
Social Distortion are an important band, and for that reason alone you should buy this CD. Without them there would be no Offspring or Rancid, no Pennywise or Peal Jam, no Blink 182 or Thrice – the list of bands who cite their influence is as varied as it is mind boggling. With the band set to release their seventh album sometime next year, now is the time to get to grips with their music. As will all greatest hits releases, the attraction to the Social Distortion faithful is limited – the album's only new track, 'Far Behind', can be streamed for free from the band's Myspace page – but for those yet to experience the group, 'Greatest Hits' serves as an excellent introduction.