Damn Right, Rebel Proud
| Damn Right, Rebel Proud | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 21, 2008 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 50:41 | |||
| Label | Sidewalk | |||
| Hank Williams III chronology | ||||
| ||||
Damn Right, Rebel Proud is the fourth studio album released by American country music artist Hank Williams III. It was released on October 21, 2008, through Curb's revived Sidewalk Records label. The album was released in two separate versions, one being a censored release for major retailers, the other is uncensored (AKA the Parental Advisory version). This is Hank III's most successful album to date.
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [2] |
| Los Angeles Times | [3] |
| PopMatters | [4] |
| Slant Magazine | [5] |
| Toronto Star | [1] |
Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine wrote that despite coming across as "one-note" with repetitive imagery and posturing, he praised the album for continuing the Straight to Hell formula by fusing country music conventions within a metal and art-punk context, concluding that: "Damn Right Rebel Proud seethes with an energy and a perspective that's too often lacking today, and it reaffirms that it's far more than just his name that makes Williams one of the genre's most vital artists."[5] PopMatters contributor Julie Thanki was critical of Hank's lack of "artistic growth" and covering familiar territory throughout the record but praised him for being passionate and profound when delivering the material, singling out "P.F.F." and "3 Shades of Black" as highlights, concluding that: "If you're angry, brokenhearted, under the influence of various substances, screwed over by both your woman and The Man, and you just spilled whiskey on your favorite Misfits t-shirt, Damn Right Rebel Proud is very possibly your perfect soundtrack."[4]
Mark Deming of AllMusic felt the album was "every bit as solid as Straight to Hell", praising Hank's "weatherbeaten twang" being added to his "updated honky tonk howl," and his band for remaining tight and enthusiastic in their performance. He criticized Hank's outlaw lyricism for repeating the same message and overplaying his hardcore tendencies that feel like he is "writing for a third-rate black metal band".[2] Stuart Monroe of the Boston Globe felt the record contained some "fine-sounding, high-voltage country", highlighting "Wild & Free" and "Me & My Friends", and commended Hank's vocal performance for having "an eerie echo of the Hillbilly Shakespeare's." He criticized Hank's lyrical content for being "cliché-ridden and full of awkward rhymes and stilted phrasings," and overemphasizing his outlaw image.[6]
Track listing
[edit]All songs written by Hank Williams III except where noted.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Grand Ole Opry (Ain't So Grand)" | 2:35 |
| 2. | "Wild & Free" | 2:58 |
| 3. | "Me & My Friends" | 3:12 |
| 4. | "Six Pack of Beer" | 2:32 |
| 5. | "I Wish I Knew" | 3:30 |
| 6. | "If You Can't Help Your Own" | 3:32 |
| 7. | "Candidate for Suicide" | 3:41 |
| 8. | "H8 Line" | 3:12 |
| 9. | "Long Hauls & Close Calls" | 2:43 |
| 10. | "Stoned & Alone" | 5:12 |
| 11. | "P.F.F." | 10:01 |
| 12. | "3 Shades of Black" | 4:18 |
| 13. | "Workin' Man" (Bob Wayne) | 3:01 |
| Total length: | 50:41 | |
Personnel
[edit]- Hank Williams III – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums, vocals, instrumentation
- Joe Buck – stand-up bass
- Chris Carmichael – fiddle
- Charlie Cushman – banjo
- Andy Gibson – Dobro
- Donnie Herron – fiddle
- Johnny Hiland – electric guitar
- Randy Kohrs – acoustic guitar, Dobro
- Adam McOwen – fiddle, accordion
- Shawn McWilliams – drums
- Gary Sommers – fiddle
- Marty Stuart – mandolin, electric guitar
- Bob Wayne – bass, guitar, vocals
Technical personnel
[edit]- Hank Williams III – engineer
- Jim Lightman – engineer
- Keith Neltner – design, illustrations
- Jennifer Tzar – photography
- Taylor Norrell – Brewmaster
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[7] | 18 |
| US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[8] | 2 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Rayner, Ben (November 4, 2008). "Hank III: Damn Right Rebel Proud". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
- ^ a b Deming, Mark. "Damn Right, Rebel Proud - Hank Williams III". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Lewis, Randy (October 21, 2008). "Album reviews: Hank Williams III and Waylon Jennings & the 357's". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
- ^ a b Thanki, Julie (October 22, 2008). "Hank Williams III: Damn Right Rebel Proud". PopMatters. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
- ^ a b Keefe, Jonathan (October 19, 2008). "Review: Hank Williams III, Damn Right Rebel Proud". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
- ^ Munroe, Stuart (October 21, 2008). "We get it: you're a rebel". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
- ^ "Hank Williams III Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
- ^ "Hank Williams III Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
