Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes
by Social Distortion
  • Record Label: Epitaph
  • Release Date: Jan 18, 2011
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. Rolling Stone
    Feb 1, 2011
    60
    On their sharpest disc since their commercial peak in the early Nineties, Mike Ness confronts a trail of devastation, over a melodic tumult steeped in rootsy allusions ­"Gimme Shelter" gospel singers, gritty balladry.
  2. Prefix Magazine
    Feb 1, 2011
    45
    Hard Times… unfortunately spends most of its running time inadvertently showcasing the delicate difference between stylistic variation and tonal inconsistency.
  3. NOW Magazine
    Jan 20, 2011
    60
    This is his first time as producer, and you could argue that he neutered the band's crunch to a degree. But it fits with the album's mature mood.
  5. musicOMH.com
    Jan 18, 2011
    60
    Social Distortion still hit as hard as they ever did - barring the obvious newfound musical influences. Anyone not yet convinced by Social Distortion probably won't find new evidence for greatness here, but for longtime fans, the six-year wait is more than worth it.
  6. Slant Magazine
    Jan 18, 2011
    40
    Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes is throwback after throwback, the album where the roots-rock traditionalism that has always been the counterweight to Ness's punk modernism finally comes crushing down on the whole Social Distortion enterprise.
  7. Uncut
    Jan 24, 2011
    60
    Ness' songs tackle his experiences with hard, unforgiving honesty. [Feb 2011, p.99]
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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. DyingBreed
    Feb 1, 2011
    8
    Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes brings Blues-Influenced Punk music back to it's basics, stripped bare and re-imagined from those earlyHard Times And Nursery Rhymes brings Blues-Influenced Punk music back to it's basics, stripped bare and re-imagined from those early foundations. A terrific album, and a real stand out for the band.… Full Review »
  2. ricco94
    Aug 31, 2012
    10
    Another great worl by Social Distortion. Their music is wonderful, again, after the 2004 masterpiece Sex Love And Rock n Roll. Machine GunAnother great worl by Social Distortion. Their music is wonderful, again, after the 2004 masterpiece Sex Love And Rock n Roll. Machine Gun Blues and Bakersfield are absolutely great, and the rest is good stuff.
    I hope they'll release another album very soon. I'm sure it will be great, too.    … Full Review »
  3. JamesL
    Feb 23, 2011
    9
    I was really surprised by how good this record is. I had not expected much but it was great to hear some actual refinements in their sound. SoI was really surprised by how good this record is. I had not expected much but it was great to hear some actual refinements in their sound. So much better than their last effort. I will play this one repeatedly.… Full Review »
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