aaamusic | On 15, Jan 2011

After a six-year break, seminal American punk rockers Social Distortion have finally announced their new studio album, and to whet the appetites of already-hungry fans, are offering up a single cut: ‘Machine Gun Blues’. But is this a carefully incubated gem, or Social Distortion’s answer to ‘Chinese Democracy’?

Thankfully, I would go with option 1 given the taste I have sampled. Although ‘Machine Gun Blues’ doesn’t perhaps give as much furious energy as the band can muster, their characteristic Americana-tinged rock n roll (think Springsteen meets Bad Religion) remains sound in its integrity and the overall impression of the track is one of introspection, done in the manner only Social D can pull off. Coupling climactic chord progressions, melodic lead guitar and a thudding kickdrum, the intro sets the pace immediately, and Mike Ness’ characteristic heartfelt rasp has aged yet this hasn’t so much dulled the fires he channels as refined them into a powerful emotive tool, the lyrics offering a thinly-veiled critique on the violence that seems innate in America’s culture, via a narrative of an old-style Western outlaw, all backed by perfectly-pitched backing vocal harmonies. The musicianship is not only sound but exhilarating yet nuanced, as the drums give gunfire-emulating snare emphasis around the sprinting 4/4 punk rock cymbals, and the guitars hold down the chords, adrenalized blues melodies, and some truly efficient solos that balance musical talent with workmanlike restraint.

Although it barely clocks in 3 and a half minutes, ‘Machine Gun Blues’ packs in more than enough without ever going into excess, creating an adrenalised yet evocative portrait of America and its outlaw legends. This is as ever a well-written and enjoyable song that blends punk rock, blues, social commentary, storytelling and passionate emotion to create something that indicates an early runner for “best of 2011”.

Author: Katie H-Halinski