Hank Williams III - 'Damn Right, Rebel Proud'

Damn Right, Rebel Proud Bottom Line:

With a name like Shelton Hank Williams III, there's undoubtedly pressure placed upon your shoulders even as a child and especially when you decide to tackle the music business. Hank III seems to have found a comfortable niche in Country Music, sounding very traditional but with lyrics that would also serve a younger audience. It's also worth noting that Marty Stuart plays mandolin and electric guitar on this release, and Randy Kohrs lends his acoustic guitar and dobro talent.

Hank III: His Own Artist:

Hank Williams III might be carrying on the musical tradition started by his grandfather, but he's certainly doing things his own way. People should never say that he's trying to copy Hank Sr. and they should definitely not accuse him of sounding like his father, Hank Williams, Jr. It might be easy to compare the three, just because of the musical legacies involved, but I can't reiterate enough the fact that Hank III is his own artist. After some fights with Curb Records, it seems as if he's been able to shake loose the reigns that held back his earlier music; Most notably his debut and sophomore efforts. Things might not be one hundred percent the way Hank III wants them, but at least to me, it seems like he's been allowed to have some more freedom this time around. I would say even more than was evident on his last album.

There are two different versions of Damn Right, Rebel Proud. One is the all-out, nothing held back version which contains a "Parental Advisory: Explicit Content" sticker on it and the other is dubbed the "clean" version. The difference between the two versions is that the one marked as clean simply bleeps out words like the "F" word and does not go so far as to actually re-write the original lyrics. You will still be able to get the meaning of the songs if you fill-in-the-blanks yourself, but if you want the "full effect," then go with the unedited release. The version I have is the unedited one, however there will be no inappropriate words or explicit descriptions of the songs in this review.

Damn Right Rebel Proud - About The Songs:

Hank Williams III is an outspoken artist and the first thing he does on Damn Right, Rebel Proud is come right out and say what he thinks about the Grand Ole Opry in "The Grand Ole Opry (Ain't So Grand)." Unfortunately some people might be offended by the language used and think that there could have been another way to get the point across, but this is Hank III we're talking about. He writes the songs the way he wants to write them and nothing will change that.

The line that really stands out to me is this: "No the Grand Ole Opry ain't so grand anymore. Did you know Hank Williams ain't a member but they keep him outside their door?" Shelton has long been a supporter of the reinstatement of Hank Williams, Sr., so perhaps this song will also shed some more light on that project.

"Me & My Friends" is the song with the lines that inspired the album's title. It's also about a man who likes to go out and live a fast life right along with his friends. They'll get drunk and stumble their way across town but he swears that just because they act that way that doesn't mean they aren't proud for each new day that comes their way.

Another song relating to a person's look at how others see them is "I Wish I Knew," only this time the man wants to know what he did to make the woman he loves walk away and never come back. Very good lyrics on this one along with that wonderful traditional country backdrop.

One song stuck out to me out of the thirteen tracks, and that is "If You Can't Help Your Own." Couldn't help but repeat the track a few times the first time I heard it. It's so country it hurts. The same could be said for "Stoned And Alone" and even "3 Shades Of Black." Then I start wondering why this kind of music can't be played in normal rotation on Country Music stations, but that's a topic for another time. Once "If You Can't Help Your Own" ends and "Candidate For Suicide" begins, you can tell the songs will take a bit of a change lyrically and go toward a darker side.

"Candidate For Suicide" is downright depressing, but from a songwriting perspective the man's story is told in such a way the listener really feels bad for him and understands why he feels that way.

"H8 Line" has a heavy-driving beat and "P.F.F" might be offensive to some who felt a little squeamish about the album's first song.

What I always get from Hank III's music is that he's doing what he can to not only have his own audience and brand of country music, but he's also bringing together a new audience who might also appreciate the fine country music of the past. With this album, he'll have a good shot at doing just that.

Release date: October 21, 2008 - Curb Records

The Compare Prices buttons at the beginning and end of this review link to the unedited version of the album.

Clicking on the next Compare Prices button will lead you to info on the clean version of the album.

(Clean version of the album)

Visit our Damn Right, Rebel Proud Listening Party to listen to full-length unedited versions of all the tracks on this album.

Damn Right, Rebel Proud Track List:

1. The Grand Ole Opry
2. Wild & Free
3. Me & My Friends
4. Six Pack of Beer
5. I Wish I Knew
6. If You Can't Help Your Own
7. Candidate for Suicide
8. H8 Line
9. Long Hauls and Close Calls
10. Stoned & Alone
11. P.F.F.
12. 3 Shades of Black
13. Workin'Man