Hank III
(Curb)
It's tempting to say that Curb Records, to which Hank Williams III is signed, put Damn Right Rebel Proud out on its rarely used Sidewalk imprint because Hank III is just too real, too true to traditional country's spirit even when it veers into psychobilly territory, too anti-Nashville establishment to put out alongside Curb marquee names like Tim McGraw and LeAnn Rimes. But maybe they just got tired of his shit, which makes Axl Rose look like Oprah.
Yes, Damn Right Rebel Proud is another testament to getting' wasted and startin' trouble, and even if Hank III demonstrates something akin to maturity on the tearjerker "I Wish I Knew" and the terrific "If You Can't Help Your Own"-both of which highlight his ability to write top-notch honky-tonk and his band's ability to deliver it convincingly-too much of the album is just the same old same old, exemplified by "P.F.F.," which stands for "punch, fight, and fuck." Clocking it at more than 10 minutes, this tribute to degenerate G.G. Allin is exactly 8 minutes too long and, in its praise for getting fucked up and violence for violence's sake, has no more redeeming qualities than its subject.
On "Candidate for Suicide," in which he takes on the persona of a rape victim, he undercuts any chance for sympathy with a flippant "I'm a cheat, liar, and a whore." And the otherwise excellent "The Grand Old Opry (Ain't So Grand)," part of Hank III's campaign to get his grandfather reinstated in Nashville's foremost country institution (www.reinstatehank.com) descends into puerile smack-talk. Taken in isolation, it's great; as part of the rest of the record, it's just tiresome.
You know, Waylon, I'm pretty sure Hank didn't do it this way.
Standout Tracks: "The Grand Ole Opry (Ain't So Grand)" and "If You Can't Help Your Own." ERIC SCHUMACHER-RASMUSSEN
