His new album, Straight To Hell, is the first I've ever heard that straddles the hallowed ground between Bill Monroe and Mötörhead, between "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and "Ace of Spades." At some point late in your first run through the record, it will hit you that you haven't once heard a distorted guitar. The album is so punk-rock in attitude and execution, the tempos so headlong, that you are sure that at some point somebody plugged a Gibson into a cheap fuzz pedal. But that never actually happened. Instead, Williams' band chases his rough whine of a voice with keening country fiddle, a driving tick-tack beat, plenty of tasty Martin and Telecaster guitars, and a nice helping of steel guitar and Dobro just like all those old country albums I grew up on. The playing is raucous but clean - as fiery and precise as anything I've heard, and they can raise a storm without needing over-driven amplifiers.
Straight To Hell, starts off with about thirty seconds of a scratchy, plaintive country-gospel ballad called "Satan Is Real," which quickly degenerates into basso-profundo laughter (presumably from the dark lord himself) as the band kick into the real album opener, a honky-tonk barnburner called "Straight to Hell." That's not just a name - it really is the theme of the album. Like Hank Williams Sr., Jerry Lee Lewis, and Little Richard before him, Hank III is one of those artists who sing about a life of pills, whiskey and madness but constantly lament that all this fun means they will burn forever in hell. This tension between gleeful dissipation and crushing depression is what gives Straight To Hell its kick. On the title song, Williams tears into lines about "looking for trouble" with the same fury as he sings the chorus, "I'm going straight to hell, ain't nothing slowing me down / I'm going straight to hell, so you just better get me one more round."
Since this is an old-school country record, and since Hank Williams III is maybe a tad too eager to take after his forebears, better than half of the songs on the album hoe this same row. "Pills I Took" is a wide-eyed story of destruction and mayhem, and it's not perfectly clear whether Williams' narrator (Williams?) is more proud or ashamed about the blood on the carpet and the broken mirrors. "Thrown Out of the Bar" gives a shout-out to country maverick David Alan Coe and is the first of about half a dozen songs on the album that take predictable but well deserved swipes at the neutered shiny 'stars' who pass for country music royalty today. But more than that, "Thrown Out of the Bar" is just another of ten or so excellent songs about the joys and perils of excess. Whether the joys or the perils are the point, well, I guess that's your call.
Article comments
1 - kws
III's 'takedown' of Kid Rock has nothing to do with him being a Yankee. It has to do with Hank Jr claiming that Kid Rock is "his rebel son" on various occastions. People asking if Kid Rock is really his brother is very annoying, not to mention that Kid made an ass of himself on III's bus a few years ago claiming to be "bigger than Elvis".
2 - John Owen
Holy crow... I had no idea it was so personal. I kind of feel bad about the whole affair now... I'm sure III has family issues to begin with, and to have reporters asking you about illegitimate half-brothers must really suck. Especially when Kid Rock was such a tool about it.
Then again, it's Kid Rock and Hank Williams III we're talking about here. Neither models of quiet introspection.
3 - EZ
John-
I'm not a fan of country music, but i bought Risin' Outlaw a while back on a random whim, and it really grew on me. It sounds like this new one is more intense than Risin' Outlaw. Do you have any comparisons you can draw between the two?
4 - John Owen
EZ, I'm afraid I can't compare, having not heard Risin' Outlaw. From what I understand, it's a fair bet that this one is more energetic sounding, but thematically not totally different. Barring, that is, the obsession with defending the past on the new record.
I think I really need to get Risin' Outlaw.
5 - Eric TFM
I just wanted to let you know that the song on disc 2, "I Could Never Be Ashamed Of You," was actually Hank III singing. It was recorded to sound as if it was an old recording but was actually the first time he has covered his granddad on one of his own albums. He does do a great impersonation of Sr. though.
6 - John Owen
Aw man, that's amazing!! One of my favorite things about Hank III is that he's so completely caught up in this weird trigenerational Oedipal/ancestor worship thing.
7 - Eve
John,
I loved your review of 'Straight to Hell' and I got the CD the day it was shipped to my local record mart. I love it... every single song. I've seen him three times and this CD is him. I want to highly recommend both 'Risin Outlaw' and 'Lovesick, Broke, and Driftin,' Hank III's previous two CD's. Just a little background, Risin' Outlaw is his least favorite, due to the problems he had with Curb records telling him what he could and could not record. I think it is a great CD and 'Lovesick Broke and Driftin' is just as good if not better, but "Straight to Hell' is where it is obvious he is recording what he wants without interference from Curb. I recommend you see Hank III live if possible, his band is just as tight and together as they are on the CD, and I have to also tell you that his bass player, Joe Buck, is worth the trip just to watch. A great showman, musician, and nice guy. I'm hoping Hank III starts getting the recognition he deserves because he is the ultimate country rebel outlaw!!!!!
8 - Sam
I know I'm a little late, but I decided to comment on this review anyway. "Straight to Hell" is absolutely amazing! Being from Arkansas (still live there) I was raised on folks like Cash, Haggard and of course Hank Sr. I can't express how sickened I am at the direction "country" music has taken. It is not COUNTRY! When I discovered Hank3 I couldn't get enough. I've seen him several times and he puts on one of the best shows you'll ever attend. Last time, he sat on the edge of the stage and talked/signed autographs for almost an hour after the show. And, I mean he actually talked to people. His connection to and appreciation for his fans is impressive. He and his awsome band also sound every bit as good live as on CD. And, yes, Joe Buck is quite a character (his website is JoeBuckYou). If you hear he's coming to town do not miss it....it's a sight to see and a hell of a lot of fun. My advice would be to see him before things blow up and he stops playing bars because this guy's gonna be big (if he can just stay alive). Man, I hope Shelton keeps pissing people off and giving the Opry the finger for many years to come.
9 - Bill
Good review. I love Straight to Hell, album of the year I'd say.
10 - wallesmoore
we are a couple in our late fifty's and have seen Hank III about 30 times since 1999 - in Texas, Florida, California, Nebraska and places in between. We absolutely LOVE him. He is a GREAT entertainer and is very personable. We recommend everyone who loves country music and a GREAT SINCERE entertainer go see him.
11 - Bradley Brewer
Hank lll is the best country artist out there bar none. Reinstate Hank!!!!!
12 - He's Spartacus
Great review of one of the most important albums (of any genre) of the last three four decades.
13 - He's Spartacus
....three or four....
14 - Hannah
If he comes to Alaska someday my life will be complete