Damn Right Rebel Proud

Hank Williams III takes his family’s legacy quite seriously. His granddaddy is a legendary figure known as much for his wanton ways as his impeccable songwriting and singing. HWIII has always lived the wild side of life and his songs emphasize this at every honky-tonk twist. “Candidate for Suicide,” “P.F.F.” (Punch, Fight, F**k), and “Stoned & Alone” play up the man’s outlaw status at every turn. His band tramps all over traditional country, playing loud and strong with steel guitars and dobros slamming through the tough gutted beats. “If You Can’t Help Your Own” swaggers with the sound of a 1950’s gin mill band. “I Wish I Knew” slows things down for a first class tear-in-your-beer ballad. “Long Hauls and Close Calls” establishes a friendship with Satan while a banjo careens out of control. Williams falls down drunk for “Me & My Friends” and rails against the injustice his family has suffered at the hands of the country music establishment with “The Grand Ole Opry (Ain’t So Grand).” The Williams family tree has deep roots and apples that don’t fall far from the original inspiration.