Social Distortion: Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes (2011)

Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes is Social Distortion's first studio album in seven years. That type of delay isn't all that uncommon for a band that's released 7 albums in 30 years. As I noted in my rank of Social D's records, putting out records at that type of pace usually means they're of a very high quality. Hard Times is no different. Frontman Mike Ness knows what type of music the band excels at and doesn't ever have them stray too far from their established roots-punk sound. That's not to say that aren't any new wrinkles added to the fold this time around. The album opening "Road Zombie" is the first instrumental to make it's way to a Social D record and while The Rolling Stones have always been a giant influence on Ness, "California (Hustle and Flow)" and "Can't Take it With You" -- which also features some boogie-woogie piano --  utilize Exile on Main Street type gospel background singers for the first time in Social D's history.

The rest of the album checks all the traditional Social Distortion boxes. The bands usual songs about sensitive tough guys ("Machine Gun Blues"), survivor anthems ("Still Alive"), self-reflective ballads ("Bakersfield", Writing on the Wall") and punk covers of classic country songs (Hank Williams' "Alone and Forsaken") are all represented. The lack of differentiation from previous albums really doesn't matter when the songs are as uniformly strong as the ones on Hard Times. The band -- guitarist Johnny Wickersham, bassist Brent Harding and drummer David Hidalgo Jr. -- lay down the backing tracks with the expected Social D energy and style. (As usual) Ness makes the most of his limited vocal range by infusing the rock songs with toughness and the ballads with tenderness but there's more soul in his delivery than normal. The production is just a little bit too clean sounding for my tastes but that's a minor nitpick as there is no lack of power behind these songs.

Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes is yet another great Social Distortion album in a career full of great albums. Longtime fans will not be disappointed and anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of hearing Social D are highly encouraged to do so. This probably wouldn't be the first of their albums I'd give to a newcomer but it still is a fine showcase for the band

Ranking: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. "Road Zombie" - 2:21
2. "California (Hustle and Flow)" - 5:00
3. "Gimme the Sweet and Lowdown" - 3:23
4. "Diamond in the Rough" - 4:35
5. "Machine Gun Blues" - 3:33
6. "Bakersfield" - 6:25
7. "Far Side of Nowhere" - 3:29
8. "Alone and Forsaken" - 4:02
9. "Writing on the Wall" - 5:01
10. "Can't Take It With You" - 5:02
11. "Still Alive" - 4:05