since Social Distortion released Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell in 1992." Chris Moran of Punknews.org praised the album and wrote: "with its passionate lyrics, laced with heavy undertones; this is unquestionable a milestone in the legacy of Social Distortion." Tom Sinclair of Entertainment Weekly wrote: "After more than a decade of hard playing and harder living, Southern California's Social Distortion have made their first truly transcendent album." Roberto Gonzalez of the Hartford Courant wrote: "The album is exhausting. Almost every song kicks with an amazing intensity that will have you immediately hooked." Ira Robbins of Rolling Stone wrote: "the band's musical and emotional values are timeless. Like a fist in the face, White Light White Heat White Trash is simple and effective." Chuck Eddy of Spin gave White Light, White Heat, White Trash a mixed to negative review and wrote: Ness's newfound nasal-flattened attempts at balladic sensitivity are embarrassing". Sam Dillon of The Chanticleer praised the album and wrote: "You just can't go wrong with Social D. they've got everything you could ask for in a punk-rock band. They are inventive, individual, and very talented. Go out right now and get album." Jon Pareles of The New York Times criticized White Light, White Heat, White Trash lyrics, claiming it had a lot of clichés, but praised the album's melodies. White Light, White Heat, White Trash was ranked at number 41 on Kerrang! "50 Greatest Punk Albums Ever". Some Social Distortion fans were upset when the first single "I Was Wrong" was played on rock radio because they believed punk rock should not be corporate or mainstream. Nonetheless, punk rock fans eventually moved on from this in the early 2000s. Social Distortion continued to be regarded as an important punk band by punk rock fans and the band continued to receive respect and support from punk rock fans. White Light, White Heat, White Trash was included in lists of the best albums of 1996 by The Buffalo News and other publications. Commercial performance, touring, and promotion Released on September 17, 1996, White Light, White Heat, White Trash peaked at number 27 on the Billboard 200, selling 30,000 in its first week of release in the United States. The album sold steady weekly sales of 10,000 to 12,000 copies. According to Nielsen SoundScan, as of December 31, 1998, White Light, White Heat, White Trash has sold 277,000 copies in the United States,