Album Release of the Week (Week of 1/18) Social Distortion – Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes

This album marks the first release by Fullerton, California punk rockers Social Distortion since their 2004 album, Sex, Love, and Rock 'n' Roll. Before this album, I wouldn't have considered myself a big Social Distortion fan. Songs like "Story of My Life" and "I Was Wrong" were okay, but nothing I'd consider "special". This album proved my previous views of the band's talent as false. Their unique sound on the album, first used on 1988's Prison Bound, that combines punk rock and country defies all expectations of what could end up a result of the mix. Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes was originally planned for release in 2007, but due to the band's live performance schedule, and allowing time for songwriting.


The album wasn't much longer than last week's release, Showroom of Compassion, but what it lacked in length, in made up for in unique songwriting ability. The first thought that came to mind while listening to Hard Times was how it reminded me of The Rolling Stones' 1971 masterpiece, Exile on Main St. Their country-punk sound was also reminiscent of Bob Dylan and similar acts. One of the greatest tracks on the album was a cover of Hank Williams' "Alone and Forsaken." If you didn't already know this information, it wouldn't be hard to believe it was one of Social Distortion's own compositions.  
Hard Times displayed a great performance from the four man band, and left me wanting more. They've made a fan out of me for sure.


MY RATING: 4.5/5
FAVORITE TRACKS: "Road Zombie", "Alone and Forsaken", and "California (Hustle and Flow)"
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: A hard choice. If I had to pick one, it would have to be "Bakersfield" 

Buy Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes on Amazon!

Album Release of the Week (Week of 1/11) Cake – Showroom of Compassion

Cake – Showroom of Compassion

Sacramento band Cake’s release of Showroom of Compassion is one of the first major album releases of the year, and my first choice for album release of the week. I’ve admittedly only heard a few Cake tracks before, like “The Distance” and their fitting cover of “War Pigs”, but the band’s sound in these few songs piqued my interest.

Showroom of Compassion is Cake’s first release since Pressure Chief in 2004. Upon listening to the first half of the album, it seems that the band’s sound hasn’t changed for the most part since Fashion Nugget, circa 1996, despite band member John McCrea's promise of a "very different" sound. Fans of the band can rest assured that their ‘90s alternative pop, trumpet heavy sound is alive and well. One of the first thoughts that came to mind was that the first half or so of the album seemed a bit repetitive in song structure. Upon the sixth track “Teenage Pregnancy”, however, things take a turn for the different as they showcase a mellow instrumental tune that features incredibly fitting use of keyboard straight out of the 80s/90s. With different bands, the inclusion of the keyboard’s sound may not have been considered appropriate, and perhaps incredibly cheesy and overdone. After “Teenage Pregnancy”, the tracks seem to branch out into different sounds, for example the country sounds of “Bound Away”, or the orchestral pop sound of “Italian Guy”. The album isn’t exactly rich in lyrical content, but does provide an admittedly short 40 minute presentation of Cake’s unique 90’s alt pop/ska sound that many fans enjoy.

MY RATING: 3/5

FAVORITE TRACKS: “Long Time”, “Teenage Pregnancy”

LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: “Federal Funding”

Click here to buy Showroom of Compassion on Amazon!

Welcome to the /mu/tant Hipster's Blog of Destiny!

Oh, hello there. Welcome to the blog of the /mu/tant hipster. On this blog I intend to review new music releases in my own words, hopefully influencing future listening patterns. I decided to start this out of a rapidly developing interest in music, including some rather obscure (to some) acts such as, perhaps, The Flamin' Groovies. Ever hear of them? If so, I hope you'll feel at home here. Not all my reviews will be obscure, I would say I have a wide taste in music. In future posts, I plan to review one new album released each week. Please, enjoy yourself. Sit back and enjoy the tunes, man. Care for some tea?