Social Distortion

Social Distortion: White Light, White Heat, White TrashWhite Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996)
Social Distortion

Reviewer Rating: 5

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Contributed by: sickboiChris
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Published on December 17th 2002In the short history that is punk rock, icons have come and gone. We've witnessed the birth of the genre with bands such as the Stooges, the Velvet Underground and the Ramones. Punk began to take on an identity with the Sex Pistols and the Clash. But it may not have been until the immergence of what.

In the short history that is punk rock, icons have come and gone. We've witnessed the birth of the genre with bands such as the Stooges, the Velvet Underground and the Ramones. Punk began to take on an identity with the Sex Pistols and the Clash. But it may not have been until the immergence of what could be the third wave, band such as Minor Threat, Black Flag, Bad Religion and Social Distortion; did punk become regularly accepted by a wider scope of listeners.

Social Distortion may be one of the most widely overlooked bands when the legends or icons of punk are examined. Maybe its because of the smaller catalog in comparison with counterparts such as Bad Religion. Nonetheless, many newer fans today may not realize the rift caused when Social D dropped "White Light, White Heat, White Trash" in 1996.

"White Light...." adopted a newer, heavier, and almost fresher style for Social D, very different from anything they had ventured to previously. The introductory track 'Dear Lover', shows flashes of previous rockabilly tendencies, yet has a very forceful effect with its powerful lyrics and heavy riffs.

Most notably may have been the wide radio and television play of the album's first single 'I Was Wrong'. While many longtime fans may have become disgruntled with the public's acceptance of the newer Social D, the odd coincidence was that this single probably resembles the classic sound more than any other track on the album.

The primary focus of the album is a mixture of feelings, from the deeply personal 'When the Angels Sing', a heartfelt homage from frontman Mike Ness to his late grandmother (whom would even wear the band's t-shirts while shopping in support of her grandson); to the socially conscious "Don't Drag Me Down", with its moving lyrics about racism, nationalism and a gaggle of other issues. This is quite possibly one of the hardest songs the band has ever written.

After Ness's battles with personal demons such as depression and drug addiction, there's no question as to where the dark feeling of the album comes from. (Even the cover of the Rolling Stone's "Under my Thumb" has a sinister feel to it.)

At the time of its release, I was puzzled as to where I stood with this album. It take Social Distortion in a direction that I was unfamiliar with them going, and made me question their stability. However, with its passionate lyrics, laced with heavy undertones; this is unquestionable a milestone in the legacy of Social Distortion.

Additionally, the new songs fused in live shows with older material make "White Light..." seem like a natural progression of a legend. If one looks again at the history of punk rock, a genre so filled with elitism, and unacceptance of change and progression, its amazing the astounding amount of support the scene continues to offer Social Distortion. If anything, Social D can be seen as the model band for others follow. Craft your own sound, perfect it, then use that sound to build onto what you've already created. And thus is the formula for Social Distortion, and the culmination leading to "White Light, Whit Heat, White Trash".

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Nirvana1000 (September 4, 2010)

This is the CD that made me a huge Social D fan.I love the dark,raw,edgy and powerful production.Dear Lover is my all time favourite Social D song.Followed by Don't Drag Me Down,Through These Eyes,When the Angels Sing,I Was Wrong,Pleasure Seeker and the awesome cover of Under My Thumb.It's a weird that i was going through a rough time of my life when i bought this CD and i instantly could relate to the lyrics.I have listened to this CD countless times.I'm surprised it is still playable.Although the rest of Social D's catalogue doesn't sound quite the same.I have come to know and love all the classics.And for all the haters.Pay no attention to their comments.Because there are way more true fans then them.Social D are true Punk legends!

Godfather (October 4, 2005)

my favorite social distortion record

Anonymous (May 25, 2005)

Don't Drag Me Down = Best fucking song, ever.

Anonymous (October 19, 2004)

Not Social-D's best album by my tastes (I like S/T and Heaven and Hell more) but still an amazing piece of work. Mike Ness is a great song writer.

For you anti-country whiners- Get some historic prespective. Country/rockabilly was the true rebel music of the 40s and 50s and into the 60s. Guys like Cash, Haggard, Perkins etc were singing outlaw music back before punk was a gleam in Sid Vicious's daddy's eye. Mike Ness understands this and distills their spirit into Social D's music. Punk is more than power cords or It sucks to be a teen.

Anonymous (November 29, 2003)

GREAT ALBUM!!! "dont drag me down" is the best song ive ever heard from a band from so cal

rightcliqificus (May 12, 2003)

thats funny shit man!

bad religion should do a ranching song. that'd be funny. it be called "i love my new tractor" ... a sequel to the highly loved "i love my computer"

recordings (December 21, 2002)

haa nice one wyzo.

burn the bitches who dont do their homework.

Anonymous (December 21, 2002)

"let me take you to the herding ground..." Yeah, ok cleedus.

For the record, that bad religion song has the words "let me take you to the hurting ground"

So i think your just trying to deny that cows and grazing are always on your mind, i mean your beginning to hear shit about ranching in bad religion songs, I'd get that checked out.

wyzo

Anonymous (December 21, 2002)

You spelled Cletus wrong