There's few artists that have been bent over by their record label more than Hank Williams III. That label was Curb, and they fucked the poor man up down and sideways. That blood contract was finally over with the 2010 release of Rebel Within - an album with potential, but the end result was what felt like an understandably rushed affair by a man sprinting for the exit door.
This new lease on life has given way to a prolific output of releases on his own Hank 3 Record label. There was the double release of Ghost To A Ghost and Gutter Town, 3 Bar Ranch's Cattle Callin', the Attention Deficit Domination project, and now Brothers of the 4x4, released simultaneously with A Fiendish Threat, under the moniker of "3".
Brothers of the 4x4 is a no-bullshit, no distractions country album. This is the most traditional of 3's releases since 2002's Lovesick, Broke and Driftin'. Brothers... is a strong album - there's something to be said for a man that can move far beyond the stereotypes of their origins but is completely unafraid and unashamed to go back to their roots whenever they feel like it. Those familiar with the man and his music will know what to expect here on tracks like "Deep Scars", "Nearly Gone" and "Broken Bookie", but the lack of surprises is not anything detrimental. This is tried and true country from one of the last country rebels left standing.
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One Question Interviews • October 24, 2014
