Yeah Hank, quitcher bitchin.

A song that complains about bad songs is NOT the same as a good song. "Nashville sucks, blah blah blah": it's about as trenchant a social statement as a skull tattoo.

He's pandering to a specific market, which is no less cynical in its way than Toby Keith's "The Angry Cracker" or that "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," and possibly more embarrassing. Pop psychology and a little history of his father-son relationships tell us what 3 is really raging about.

That said, I thought the first two records were great fun and I'll probably pick this one up out of the bargain bin in a couple of months.

I'm noticing a pattern among the Hank lineage. Since we're in agreement that they all shared an equal taste for the wilder side, that doesn't need to be rehashed (no pun intended). From a talent standpoint, though, its a different story. Hank (the original) was undeniably a fantastic songwriter and performer. The songs that he wrote and recorded during his short life are true works of art that transcend all forms of music.

While Jr. never reached this - transcendence - he did have a good run at it. For much of the 70s and early 80s he ruled the airwaves with his own brand of outlaw poetry - some of which still holds up today (Family Tradition & Whiskey Bent, for example). It wasn't until the late 80s that his well ran dry and the self-aggrandizing belligerence began...and it wasn't pretty.

Now to Hank III, apparently he missed the songwriting talent-boat altogether in favor for the SS Belligerent Redneck. What a shame though, songwriting inabilities aside, he really has a good voice.

No matter what your lineage, using obscenities as a crutch just knocks the slats out of even a mediocre song. They're a cheap trick. Hank Sr rocked the world with nary an "F" word, because he knew how to write.

Guess the bar was too high.

With respect, all the comments thus far seem rather elitist - which is funny in the context of discussing an offshoot of hillbilly music, though that's neither here nor there.

Granted, his lyrics aren't the greatest, but then I could argue that of most anything coming out of Nashville. To this end, his are on par or better - though clearly of a different bent. If his swearing is gratuitous, it's not the only gratuitous thing out there - and certainly isn't worth analyzing. Maybe he needs an American Pride song to get some respect in this crowd?

In any case, for someone living under the double-jeopardy shadow of the runestone of country music and the cartoon character that his father became, I think he's done a good job of both carving out a unique niche for himself and finding an audience outside of that his family has long held.

Isn't it enough that it makes you tap your toes?

I've had this CD for a few weeks now and I love it. I'll be honest and say that I have not done my research on the lyrics but the sounds and cover alone have kept me interested. This is a creepy album and refreshingly different than most that come across my desk. It's also my first sample of Hank III, so I also can't comment on how this relates in the big Hank III scheme of music. All I can say is for right now, I dig it's creepy ambience.

Hank III not for everyone. There are a lot, a LOT, of people out there that are fed up with the current state of music and the marketing of music, not just country music I might add. Hank sounds off for that group. He does it hard, loud, and does not make excuses. Exactly what is needed.

While I agree that Nashville is being corrupted and what not, IMO Hank III doesn't have to go about in in quite this way. Though I haven't heard this album yet, judging from the lyrics, I just might not listen to it. My main problem is the demonic-ness of the album. While I don't deny that the songs are toe-tapping good, I just feel that the profanities are unnecessary. The man's got a great voice and I think he could be using it for more Christian kind of things. Also, I think he should ditch the death metal stuff, too. Just my opinion.

who gives a good goddamn about the fucking cussing, if your virgin ears are to sensitive...dont listen. no for all the grown ups in the conversation i thought the cd was pretty fucking sweet, it shows his roots in hardcore/metal a hell of a lot more than the other two albums... and thats just fine by me. Oh and about the Christian and demonic bullshit. fuck you he doesn't have to answer to anyone because Hank III is a bad ass

How bout you let Hank III be himself. Your sopposed to write songs about your life and ho youve felt, and well thats what hes doin. Just because hes not narrow minded about music and likes another kind that happens to be metal people dont like him. Hes the last hope for real country fans besides this Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney shit. They make southerns look like pussies. If you dont like it, dont listen.

III is standin up for what he believes. theres no doubt he could have sold out like everbody else and stood on stage and grinned like an idiot and hed probably be a lot richer too. i turn on a country station these days and it breaks my fuckin heart. im not even knocking the rascal fags, urban, and all the other sellouts. their music just needs to be moved to VH1 where it fuckin belongs. i dont even like all of 3's music but i respect him. Hank, u sir, are a true american.

Demonic?

Maybe, maybe not. That is what they said of Ozzy too. If you really licten to Ozzy's music however he is saying things like when the politicians die Satan laughs, spreads his wings and takes them away. I don't get why Christians are so afraid of talking about the devil didn't the "Bible" educate all of us about the devil anyway?

Isn't "Pop-Country" simply POP? should it really be called country? Why do they classify it as country? is it because there is a fiddle?

According to the definition:

Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. It has roots in traditional folk music, Celtic music, blues, gospel music, hokum, and old-time music and evolved rapidly in the 1920s

Although I like the fact my daughters are finding impowering music in some of the newer pop-country style I still don't feel it is really country music. It no longer shows it's roots. When you have no roots you have no foundation.

i couldnt even get through this whole article it is so fucking stupid. hank 3 doesnt get along with his dad? where the fuck do you dig this shit up from? there pictures and videos of him and his dad turkey hunting from like last year.