iTunes

Opening the iTunes Store.If iTunes doesn't open, click the iTunes application icon in your Dock or on your Windows desktop.
iTunes

iTunes is the world's easiest way to organize and add to your digital media collection.

We are unable to find iTunes on your computer. To preview and buy music from Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell by Social Distortion, download iTunes now.

Already have iTunes? Click I Have iTunes to open it now.

I Have iTunes Free Download
iTunes for Mac + PC

Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell

Social Distortion

View More By This Artist

Open iTunes to preview, buy, and download music.

Album Review

Social Distortion finally achieves the perfect balance between their two major influences, the country anguish of Johnny Cash and the furious punk rock sound of early Clash, on their 1992 album Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell, making it the band's finest hour. The band tears through a fair share of rollicking, straight-ahead hard rock with songs like "Cold Feelings" and "When She Begins," but they also show a reflective, heartfelt, country-inspired side with songs like "This Time Darlin'" and the hard rock tribute to "Folsom Prison Blues," the cold blooded, murderous tale "99 to Life." At times the band slows down the pace a bit more than on earlier albums, but the band hasn't lost any of the edge or attitude they had as the brash young punks who recorded Mommy's Little Monster. Social Distortion classics "Bad Luck" and "Born to Lose" find a more mature Mike Ness still continuing to play the familiar role of the steadfast underdog with better results than in previous efforts. This album had all the earmarks of a major commercial success with some radio friendly tunes and strong production, but it never found the large audience Epic records expected. Regardless of the sales totals, Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell finds Orange County's most enduring punk band, Social Distortion, at their creative peak, and this album is the crown jewel of their entire catalog.

Customer Reviews

One of the best albums you never heard.

I worked in college radio when this release came out and we were all over this in a big way. What killed the commercial success of this and some other albums that came out at this time was the fact that both U2 and REM had releases out at the same time. Now if your college radio, you only have so many slots in your rotation, but if you got a major act sucking a space for a long time, some things get lost in the shuffle. But you can realistically count "Somewhere" right up there as one of the top 5 albums of '92. Oh, remember that Bob Mould's "Sugar" was also released as well. As a side note I saw Social Distortion in Columbus, Ohio, when they were supporting this album, and they were the real deal. I don't think anything they did before or after comes close, so the review was correct in my opinion that this effort was their high water mark. You don't see too many times where just about every track is a winner. If though you wanted to try out a track or two, try 'King of Fools,' and/or 'Making Believe.' 'When she begins,' and 'Born to Lose' are nice additions. And if you would like some slower, even more angst ridden tracks from front man Mike Ness, grab the title track from his solo work, 'Cheating at Solitare.' You'll never get depressed again. - Out

Great Mix of Genres

I only recently found Social D, and I am 19. I had grown weary of traditional country and was looking for something hard edge. These guys fit that mold perfectly, they don't adhere to one genre. Their sound is purely theirs. It is great to find a band I can listen to that melds Ramones and Hank Williams together, very few can do that well.

Tough Music For Toughs

I bought this album at 17 years old and it still brings the best emotion to light. Like Mike Ness said, "It's like Hank Williams got into a car crash with the Ramones." This Time Darlin' is for the moments of when you know its over between you and your girl. Born To Lose is great soundtrack for the ones who feel powerless. Plus, the album is a great late night my-ex-is-getting-married-soon blues.

Biography

Formed: 1978 in CA

Genre: Rock

Years Active: '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

The enduring L.A. punk band Social Distortion has overcome numerous personnel shifts, the demise of the Los Angeles hardcore scene that spawned them, and the heroin addiction of singer/guitarist/bandleader Mike Ness to achieve a measure mainstream acceptance for their rootsy, hard-hitting punk without compromise. Inspired by the fertile L.A. punk scene, Ness formed the group in 1978 with drummer Casey Royer and brothers Frank (bass) and Rikk Agnew (guitar). When the brothers left to join the Adolescents,...
Full Bio

Top Albums and Songs By Social Distortion

Listeners Also Bought

Become a fan of the iTunes and App Store pages on Facebook for exclusive offers, the inside scoop on new apps and more.