Your Opinion: Hank III’s New Album (New Interview)
In a couple of recent interviews, one on Episode 66 of Outlaw Radio and another posted recently on YouTube (see below) Hank Williams III seems almost to be discounting his new upcoming album, The Rebel Within before it even comes out.
He mentions that it is a good album, but he also goes out of his way to say it is not as good as Straight to Hell, how the creative juices are not flowing under the ultra-combative control of his record label Curb Records, and that he doesn’t want to give Curb anything “too good,” because any songs he releases while still under Curb contract will still remain the property of Curb even when he leaves.
Hank III’s personal MySpace page still says, “ANd il tell ya the way it is Damn Right and Rebel Proud aint Shit Compared to Straight To Hell!”, discounting his last release as well. I can only imagine all of this talk must drive his management crazy.
So my question for you is, what do you think when an artists comes out and plays down a release before it even comes out? Do you appreciate the honesty, and does it make the artist more real and accessible? Or do you think it is an unhealthy practice?
Hank III will never make another Straight to Hell because that album encapsulated a space in time that will no longer exist again, and was groundbreaking in a way very few albums could ever achieve. In the latest YouTube video, Hank III gives credit for his loyal fan base to giving his music away in the form of letting fans tape shows. Is his honestly with his fan base, telling it like it is with no spin, another reason for the rabid loyalty of Hank III fans?
Hank III is not the only one to downplay records released by Curb. So has Leann Rimes and Tim McGraw.
November 17, 2009 @ 11:54 am
that answered a few of my quesions
November 17, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
im glad to hear him say that, you always hear about bands saying how their new record is the best one they’ve ever done blah blah and usually that’s not the case. the honesty is really refreshing.
November 17, 2009 @ 10:08 pm
I honestly believe that III is just stating what he believes. The man really doesn’t want to give all his good work to Curb Records, yet he can’t just make a bunch of shit songs for his upcoming records. Anyone can understand the situation that he is in. We should all understand why he believes that his work isn’t as good as Straight to Hell.
Now, if III finally seperates from Curb and starts writing and performing his own music, and he is still telling people “this album isn’t as good as that one” then it is gonna hurt him. I don’t think that he’ll do it, but if he does then it just goes to show how much faith, heart, and truth he has in it. Like I said though I think he’ll stop after Curb.
I personally don’t understand why I have heard so many people claim that one album is better than the other. ALL of his music is great! None of it tops the others. STH was just a groundbreaking way of making a country album. It exceeded the norms and it was VERY succesful. My favorite album? DAMN RIGHT AND REBEL PROUD
November 18, 2009 @ 4:58 am
Great interview, thanks for sharing!
I think it’s rather cool that III is so honest about his opinions regarding DRRP and the forthcoming album. As has been said, there can never be another STH, but that doesn’t mean that every album that is not as good has to be a letdown. I still enjoy DRRP for what it is and I’m looking forward to The Rebel Within. Who knows what’s going to come after that!
Cheers,
MLP
December 7, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
Great interview! Thanks for it all!
I’m just enjoying the ride. It’s been such fun to be in the audiences as they get bigger and everyone now knows lyrics. It’s always a hell of a show and I can’t thank him enough for keeping the ticket prices and merch prices down. It allows us to see him and other bands featured on this site and buy their music and shirts.
As for his music, I can’t pick a favorite. They all came out during telling the story of his life thus far (or what he could say on matters). My only criticism of Straight to Hell is they were the songs he’s been perfecting on tour and the live performances blow away any studio work. On the other hand, the album gives me the chance to sit with the songs and revel in their groundbreakingness.
December 23, 2011 @ 9:02 am
i like all his album thus far. he is a talented man. alot of people say that he has let down his grandfather but i think his music is a natural progression. hank sr mixed country and cajun. hank jr mixed country and southern rock. now hank 3 mixs country and more modern forms of music like punk and metal. he is the most original country musician country has seen in a long while.