ARTIST: Social Distortion
TITLE: Prison Bound
YEAR RELEASED: 1988
CHART ACTION: None
SINGLES: Prison Bound
OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Back Street Girl
LINEUP: Mike Ness, Dennis Danell, John Maurer, Christopher Reece
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Social Distortion returns from a long hiatus (thanks to Ness’ substance issues and jail stint) and records an album that has its moments, and sets them up for their 90’s success.
SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: There are flaws to this album. The production is muted and doesn’t give the band the snap it needs, and muffles Mike Ness’ vocals a bit. Because of that, many of the songs run together without a lot of differentiation.
There are some definite high spots here – especially the first side. That works well together, but the second half drags a bit. After the song “Prison Bound” concludes the first half it seems like a downhill slope from there.
Their next album would set them up to be a 90’s success – this one was a good one to get back in the game, though.
NOTES & MINUTIAE: “It’s the Law” is a re-write of an old tune of theirs from a complilation called “Justice for All”.
IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No
GRADE: B-: A few classic cuts, but better records would follow.