Straight to Hell (album)

Last updated
Straight to Hell
Hank III Straight to Hell.jpg
Studio album by
Hank Williams III
ReleasedFebruary 28, 2006 (2006-02-28)
RecordedDecember 2004 – January 2005
Genre
Length87:56
Label Bruc
Producer
Hank Williams III chronology
Lovesick, Broke and Driftin''
(2002)		Straight to Hell
(2006)		 Damn Right, Rebel Proud
(2008)

Straight to Hell is the third studio album by American musician Hank Williams III, released on February 28, 2006, by Bruc Records, an imprint of Curb Records.

Contents

In largely self-produced sessions recorded at a band member's home, Williams and the Damn Band recorded traditional country music, western swing and bluegrass songs which focus on drug use, hedonism and the outlaw life, as well as criticism of the mainstream country music industry. [1] [2] These songs make up the first disc, while the second disc consists of a sound collage [2] of psychedelic music. [3]

Recording

After the recording of Williams' previous album, Lovesick, Broke and Driftin' (2002), Williams would not release new music for another four years due to a contractual dispute with Curb Records. Upon resolving the dispute, Williams decided to produce and record his next album independently. [4]

Music

The album consists of two discs. The first disc consists of country, western swing and bluegrass songs [2] which fused the "tempo and structure of bluegrass" with the "attitude and swagger of heavy metal". [4] The album's lyrical themes include drug use, hedonism and the outlaw life, as well as criticism of the mainstream country music industry. [1] [2] [4]

The album opens up with a sample of the Louvin Brothers' "Satan Is Real", [1] which leads into the title track. Williams states that lyrical inspiration came from his very conservative religious mother, as well as an interest in Satan and Satanism. [5]

"Dick In Dixie" was written as a criticism of country pop, which Williams views as being antithetical to traditional country music. [2] Williams' criticisms of the mainstream country music industry are contrasted with a lyrical reverence for traditional country music artists displayed in songs such as "Country Heroes" in which he references country music artists that inspired him, [4] including Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, George Jones and David Allan Coe. In the lyrics of "Not Everybody Likes Us", Williams addresses the rumor that Kid Rock is the son of Hank Williams Jr. [1]

The second disc consists of a sound collage [2] of psychedelic music [3] It includes two tracks, "Louisiana Stripes", and a hidden track consisting of a medley of other Williams compositions along with covers of Hank Williams Sr.'s "I Could Never Be Ashamed Of You", Cheech & Chong's "Up in Smoke" and Wayne Hancock's "Take My Pain", all linked with various soundbites and sound effects such as voice mail messages, passing trains, runaway horses, a creek, a funeral, pig snorts, backmasking, and bong hits. [1]

Release

Straight to Hell was released as a double album on February 28, 2006 by Bruc Records, an imprint of Curb Records, on compact disc in explicit and clean edited editions, [3] as well as on vinyl.

On his website, Williams encourages fans to support independent record outlets that are more willing to stock the uncensored version of the album. [6]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
The A.V. Club B+ [2]

Mark Deming of Allmusic gave the album 4 out of 5, writing, "There's a pure and soulful musical vision at the heart of Straight to Hell no matter how much Hank III lashes out against the confines of current country music and messes with the form, and that's what makes him most valuable as an outlaw -- there's lots of long-haired dope-smoking rednecks out there, but not many that can tap into the sweet and dirty heart of American music the way Hank III does, and Straight to Hell proves he's got a whole lot to say on that particular subject." [2]

In a more critical review, The A.V. Club's Noel Murray gave the album a B+ rating, writing, "Just because Hank Williams III is the scion of country-music legends doesn't automatically excuse him from accusations of rednexploitation", claiming that the lyrics of "Crazed Country Rebel" "[pander] to people who think that 'authentic' country music has to be about outlaw losers, as though nobody in the heartland ever held onto a job or fell in love." [2]

Track listing

Disc one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Satan Is Real/Straight to Hell" Charlie Louvin / Ira Louvin / Hank Williams III 3:08
2."Thrown Out of the Bar"Williams III2:07
3."Things You Do to Me"Williams III2:22
4."Country Heroes"Williams III3:29
5."D. Ray White"Williams III3:47
6."Low Down"Williams III3:24
7."Pills I Took"Wyatt G. Hellickson2:31
8."Smoke & Wine"Williams III2:36
9."My Drinkin' Problem"Randy Howard2:42
10."Crazed Country Rebel" (Not featured on clean version)Williams III3:09
11."Dick in Dixie" (Not featured on clean version)Williams III2:37
12."Not Everybody Likes Us"Williams III4:30
13."Angel of Sin"Williams III6:07
Total length:40:29
Disc two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Louisiana Stripes" (Not featured on vinyl release)Williams III3:28
2."Hidden Track" Hank Williams / Williams III / Wayne Hancock / Cheech Marin / Tommy Chong 42:00
Total length:45:28
Songs featured on Hidden Track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I Could Never Be Ashamed of You"Williams 
2."Smoke & Wine (Slowed Down Version)"Williams III 
3."Alone & Dying"Williams III 
4."On My Own"Williams III 
5."Back by My Side"Williams III 
6."Take My Pain"Hancock 
7."What's His Name"Williams III 
8."Loaded 44"Williams III 
9."Up in Smoke"Marin / Chong 

Personnel

Production

Chart positions

Chart (2006)Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums17
U.S. Billboard 20073

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hank Williams Jr.</span> American musician

Randall Hank Williams, known professionally as Hank Williams Jr. or Bocephus, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style has been described as a blend of rock, blues, and country. He is the son of country musician Hank Williams and the father of musicians Holly Williams and Hank Williams III, and the grandfather of Coleman Williams. He is also the half brother of Jett Williams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hank Williams III</span> American musician

Shelton Hank Williams, known as Hank Williams III, is an American musician, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, whose musical style ranges from country music to punk rock and heavy metal. He was the drummer of hardcore punk band Arson Anthem and bassist of Phil Anselmo's band Superjoint Ritual. He has released eleven studio albums, including five for Curb Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curb Records</span> American record label

Curb Records is an American record label started by Mike Curb, originally as Sidewalk Records in 1963. From 1969 to 1973, Curb merged with MGM Records where Curb served as President of MGM and Verve Records.

<i>Three Hanks: Men with Broken Hearts</i> 1996 studio album by Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr. and Hank Williams III

Three Hanks: Men with Broken Hearts is a collaborative studio album released by Curb Records in 1996. It combines the songs of Hank Williams, who died in 1953, with newly recorded accompanying vocals from his son Hank Williams Jr. and grandson Hank Williams III, the latter of whom makes his recording debut. Aside from Hank Williams' songs, this album also features a new song written by Hank Williams Jr. titled "Hand Me Down". The album was recorded largely to cover Williams III's child support debts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Buck (musician)</span> American musician

Joe Buck is the stage name of Jim Finklea, an American country and punk rock musician from Murray, Kentucky. His primary instruments are double bass and guitar.

<i>Will the Circle be Unbroken</i> (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album) 1972 studio album by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Will the Circle be Unbroken is the seventh studio album by American country music group The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, with collaboration from many famous bluegrass and country-and-western players, including Roy Acuff, "Mother" Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs, Merle Travis, Pete "Oswald" Kirby, Norman Blake, Jimmy Martin, and others. It also introduced fiddler Vassar Clements to a wider audience. The album was released in November 1972, through United Artists Records.

<i>Not a Moment Too Soon</i> 1994 studio album by Tim McGraw

Not a Moment Too Soon is the second studio album by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released on March 22, 1994 by Curb Records. McGraw's breakthrough album, it reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top 200 chart and No. 1 on Billboard Country chart and stayed for 26 consecutive weeks. It was Billboard's best selling album of 1994. For all genres of that year, it was in the top five. The Academy of Country Music named it Album of the Year in 1994.

<i>Risin Outlaw</i> 1999 studio album by Hank Williams III

Risin' Outlaw is the debut studio album by American country music singer Hank Williams III. It was released on September 7, 1999, by Curb Records. The album was produced by Chuck Howard and Bob Campbell-Smith.

<i>Lovesick, Broke and Driftin</i> 2002 studio album by Hank Williams III

Lovesick, Broke and Driftin' is the second studio album by American country music artist Hank Williams III, released on January 29, 2002. Hank III has stated that he considers this album as his real solo debut and despises his previous album Risin' Outlaw in particular.

<i>The Almeria Club Recordings</i> 2002 studio album by Hank Williams, Jr

The Almeria Club Recordings is the forty-ninth studio album by American country music artist Hank Williams Jr. It was released on January 8, 2002, by Curb Records. He recorded most of the songs at "The Almeria Club", a club that his father, Hank Williams, recorded several songs himself. Kid Rock as well as Uncle Kracker appear on the song "The 'F' Word" giving background vocals.

<i>Johnny Cash Is Coming to Town</i> 1987 studio album by Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash Is Coming to Town is the 73rd album by American country singer Johnny Cash, released in 1987, and his first for Mercury Records. It was re-released in 2003, paired with Boom Chicka Boom on a single CD. "Sixteen Tons" was previously a hit for Tennessee Ernie Ford, "The Big Light" is an Elvis Costello song from his album King of America, released the previous year and "Let Him Roll" is from Guy Clark's debut, Old No. 1. The album reached #36 on the country charts, while the only released single, "The Night Hank Williams Came to Town", peaked at #43.

<i>Damn Right, Rebel Proud</i> 2008 studio album by Hank Williams III

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. The album was released in two separate versions, one being a censored release for major retailers, the other is uncensored. The album was released through Curb's revived Sidewalk Records label. This is Hank III’s most successful album to date.

<i>Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound</i> (album) 1979 studio album by Hank Williams Jr.

Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound is a studio album by American musician Hank Williams Jr., and his fourth on the Elektra/Curb labels. It was Williams' second album of 1979, with Family Tradition released in April.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Hiland</span> American songwriter

Johnny Hiland is a legally blind American musician/guitarist.

<i>The Pressure Is On</i> 1981 studio album by Hank Williams Jr.

The Pressure Is On is the thirty-third studio album by American musician Hank Williams Jr. It was released by Elektra/Curb Records in August 1981 and was Williams' seventh studio album on the Elektra/Curb label.

<i>Strong Stuff</i> 1983 studio album by Hank Williams Jr.

Strong Stuff is the thirty-fifth studio album by American musician Hank Williams Jr. It was released by Elektra/Curb Records in February 1983. "Gonna Go Huntin' Tonight" and "Leave Them Boys Alone" were released as singles. The album peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and has been certified Gold by the RIAA.

<i>Hillbilly Joker</i> 2011 studio album by Hank Williams III

Hillbilly Joker is an unauthorized release of recordings by Hank Williams III. Released on May 17, 2011, the album marks a departure from Williams' previous country albums, instead featuring a cowpunk sound which incorporates elements of rockabilly, heavy metal and hardcore punk.

Randy Alan Kohrs is an American multi-instrumentalist best known for his resonator guitar prowess, but he plays 13 instruments. He is also a Grammy-winning producer and recording engineer.

<i>Hank Wilsons Back Vol. I</i> 1973 album by Leon Russell

Hank Wilson's Back Vol. I is an album by singer and songwriter Leon Russell singing as Hank Wilson. The UK edition has a banner printed on the front of the sleeve to the right of Russell's stetson saying "Leon Russell!", presumably as a marketing initiative to promote the album using the strength of Russell's name.

<i>Country Music Heaven</i> 1993 studio album by Bill Anderson

Country Music Heaven is a studio album by American country singer-songwriter Bill Anderson. It was released in February 1993 on Curb Records and was produced by Mike Johnson. His 34th studio album, the project also marked Anderson's second release for the Curb label. The album was a collection of gospel recordings, which totaled to 12 tracks.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Deming, Mark. "Straight to Hell". Allmusic. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Murray, Noel. "Hank III: Straight To Hell". AV Club. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 Baker, Brian. "Straight to Hell (BRUC, 2006)". Country Standard Time. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Hanover, Nick (July 2, 2012). "Rediscover: Hank III: Straight to Hell". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  5. ↑ "'Straight to Hell': Hank Williams III Plays with Fire". NPR. April 5, 2006. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Hank Williams III News". Archived from the original on 2008-02-20.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.