Based on a True Story is an album by the American band the Del-Lords, released in 1988 on Enigma Records.

[6] The Washington Post wrote that "Kempner spreads on the working-class persona a little thick at times, but this is still the equal of any previous Del-Lords set.

"[10] The Toronto Star deemed the album "a rip-snorting, noisy, trashy little garage opus.

"[11] The Chicago Tribune determined that "the album, energy and polish notwithstanding, emerges as a good but not great package with a faintly 'generic' feel.

"[8] The New York Times concluded that "the straightforward, stomping rock songs on the band's third album ... insist on independent thinking and truthfulness.