With notable exceptions, the particular instruments a band may use doesn't really have such a big influence on whether or not you like the band. The guitar player might be playing a Strat, they might be playing an SG; the beat might be maintained on Yamaha drums, or it might be a Ludwig kit. The sounds might be different, but it's really the notes that guitarist plays that counts, or whether the drummer can get your feet moving. On the other hand, a singer's voice can often either be the thing that attracts you to a band, or - if it's not to your taste - be something that gets in the way of the music.
I say this by way of apology: this album is good, but in the same way that some people can't really enjoy the music of, say, Kate Bush, just because of her very distinctive voice, my enthusiasm for Social Distortion is lessened purely because of the vocals. Someone once compared Bryan Ferry's voice to champagne... a little is nice, but too much can get up your nose. Okay, so that's the negative stuff out of the way. And only a personal reaction: Singer Mike Ness has a similar tight-throated style to Richard Butler of the Psychedelic Furs... a voice that sold millions!
White Light White Heat White Trash is Social Distortion's sixth album, and although some previous releases have reflected the band's interest in rockabilly (such as Hank Williams), this one is firmly rooted in the U.S. punk rock that the band grew up with. While they might cite bands such as The Ramones and Dead Boys as influences, the band that this album most reminds me of is The Dictators, with their tight punky rhythms and short-sharp-shock metal guitar. ("Down On The World Again" even sounds like it has that band's Top Ten on lead!).
Highlights include the album opener, "Dear Lover" - which after its misleading intro, which could have been The Cranberries' "Zombie" - truly bursts into life; "I Was Wrong", which quite rightfully given its anthemic feel is the album's first single; and "Pleasure Seeker" which has an Instinct-era Iggy feel about it. Actually my real favourite isn't even credited on the sleeve, and I'm sorry to give away the 'secret track', but Social Distortion's metallic, but still funky, reworking of the Stones' "Under My Thumb" which closes the album is a truly great cover.
In summary, as a fan of The Dictators myself, there was a lot to like about this album... my ears just wished for Handsome Dick Manitoba in on vocals.
You can find more about the band at their web site, at http://www.socialdistortion.com
