Williams seems to instinctively understand that this dance with the dark side is what gives a lot of the best country music its power. On the bleak "Country Heroes," he takes the standard country song themes of drinking and respect for your elders to a creepy new level, singing "sometimes I feel like I'm out of control... and I'm here getting wasted, just like my country heroes." Considering that is grandfather drank himself into his grave at age 29 and George Jones, prominently name-checked in the song, has consumed tragic-heroic amounts of booze in his time, it's a little unsettling that Hank III is so intent on getting plowed. Similarly, "Crazed Country Rebel" is about an interstate drink and drugs spree that doesn't sound so much fun as frantic, as if he's not doing whiskey, pot, 'shrooms, and coke for fun, but because they just might finally kill him.
The thing that really sets Hank III apart from the pack is his anger. The same anger that gets him "thrown out of the bar" and high on "them pills I took," or that he numbs down while "drinking with all my country heroes" also shows up as a fierce defense of traditional country against well-scrubbed newcomers and Yankees. He dedicates "Dick In Dixie" to the high purpose of putting
The dick in Dixie, and the cunt back in country
'Cause the kind of country I hear nowaways is a bunch of fuckin' shit to me.
They say I'm ill mannered, they say I'm gonna self-destruct
But if you know what I'm thinkin,' you know that pop country really sucks.
We are then invited to kiss his ass. As he states again and again, Williams can't stand the new breed of country musicians "kissing ass on Music Row" who have replaced the "outlaws that had to stand their ground" and he can't listen to country music in the same room as "some faggot looking over at me."
There is even a takedown of Kid Rock (of all people) on "Not Everybody Likes Us." Williams is deeply proud of his Southern heritage and his family and can't stand it that a Yankee like Kid Rock is dabbling (poorly) in country and claiming a redneck background. I can grant him the fact that Kid Rock's country experiments aren't too great, but goddamnit, I'm a Yankee too, a country-raised briarhopper from Ohio, and my heritage is George and Johnny and Willie and Chet and Waylon. And if you don't like that, well brother, you can kiss my ass too.
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.