About the album
Social Distortion came back in 1998 with a new album. It was two years after White Light, White Heat, White Trash. The difference about this album, is that it was recorded live at the Roxy Club in Los Angeles, California. I think this album will interest more fans of the band than any other people. This is I think, the ideal album to get after getting all the others. I wouldn't consider this album as essential butit's still a really good one. The album have 17 songs from different albums, with song you can find on Mommy's Little Monster going to White Light White Heat White Trash. It is interesting to see how Social Distortion sound in a live performance for the one that never got the chance of seing them. Now let's take a look at the album.
Good aspects
The first good aspect, is that the album last more than an hour and fifteen minutes.So,it is fairly long,a bit longer than habitual live records by other bands. The album is really well record, the quality is just perfect and you hear the music really well.I also like when Mike Ness is talking to the crowd between songs. It had even more elements to the album. The choice of songs is also great.You will hear the great Story Of My Life for the opening of the album, the awesome cover of Under My Thumb by The Rolling Stones and also in my opinion one of the best performance on this album, Prison Bound.
Also two classics from their first album, which are Mommys Little Monster and The Creeps. They are also playing one of my favorite song,Cold Feelings and I don't think we can forget the great I Was Wrong. The 4 last songs are in my opinion a great choice. They play a song I was really surprised to hear on this album, 1945. Also, Don't Drag Me Down, the performance is simply amazing, the crowd really give a lot of energy during this song. Then come Ball And Chain and finally the album end with a cover of Ring Of Fire by Johnny Cash.
Negative aspects
The choice of songs are excellent, but I think they have forget It's The Law which is in my opinion a must. This song is among their best and they didn't play it. It was a let down in my opinion. I know they can't put all their good songs, their are just too many. But forgetting this one was a bad idea. I also find sometime that the crowd seem quiet. Maybe it's just during some specific songs, I don't think it's a major negative aspect. Also the fact that you pay the full price for songs you (probably) already have on other albums you own. So I think this album is only really worth for fans of this band, other people who only know few songs or that don't know the band at all will be deveive. Because I think this album is more enjoyable when you already know all or the majority of songs on it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would encourage all great fans of this band to get this album, it's a great live record and strong performance by Social Distortion. The sound is really good. you hear to vocal clearly and you will hear the majority of your favorite Social Distortion songs. But as I already said, don't get this if you are not really into this band yet. Buy some other studio albums. Some of you might be interest also to check their live DVD instead, Live In Orange County. So I give this album
4/5.
Strongest performances (in my opinion)
Prison Bound
Don't Drag Me Down
Ball And Chain
I Was Wrong
Cold Feelings
Story Of My Life
