Mixing Springsteen's factory-overalls ethic with Southern California punk energy and black leather, punk godfathers Social Distortion have all but trademarked their sound over the past 30 some years, a brand of hard rockabilly/punk that's cut with the melodic, road-tested lyrics of frontman Mike Ness. Their searing guitars and a locomotive rhythm section drive Ness's hard-luck tales of love, loss and lessons learned. In addition to the early punk of The Ramones and The Clash, the band's sound was culled equally from Ness's love of roots music, specifically early country music greats like Hank Williams and the early blues recordings of the South.

The group broke in 1983 with the thrashing plate of punk and displeasure, Mommy's Little Monster. Their 1988 follow-up, Prison Bound, hinted at a sonic change to come, and by 2004's Sex, Love and Rock ‘n' Roll, their sound had solidified into the instantly recognizable brand of rock n' roll that's defined them ever since. Serving as their first studio album in eight years and marking a return to their independent label roots, a great deal of Sex, Love and Rock ‘n' Roll is a musical eulogy to founding guitarist Dennis Danell, who passed away in 2000. 

Highlights include the opening track, "Reach for the Sky," which became one of the band's biggest hits, as well as the introspective "Live Before You Die," and the hopeful "Don't Take Me For Granted," written for Danell.

Features:
• Vinyl LP reissue from Craft Recordings
• 2004 return to indie label roots dedicated to founder Dennis Danell
• Includes fan favorites "Reach for the Sky" and "Angel's Wings"
• Standard sleeve packaging