*** SOCIAL DISTORTION “Social Distortion” <i> Epic</i> : Album scale: one star (poor) to five (a classic)

Mike Ness is a frustratingly uneven songwriter. He’s blessed with a convincing, unflinching feel for the heightened anxiety and rage of troubled youth, but through three albums now he has frequently settled for overly familiar images in expressing those explosive attitudes.

The good news in this tenacious band’s major-label debut: The balance is leaning more toward insight than cliches and--thanks to the perspective that has comes from Ness’ distancing his worst demons--the songs reflect growing sensitivity and compassion.

Without sacrificing all of its early punk intensity, Social Distortion is finding increasing room in the arrangements for its country-blues influences and, most significantly in songs such as “Story of My Life,” the melodic, slightly sentimental feel of the Replacements. Who ever figured that instead of the West Coast Joe Strummer, Ness, with continued growth, might emerge as the West Coast Paul Westerberg?