Search - Hank Williams III :: Lovesick, Broke & Driftin'

3.5 compared to two of his other releases...

William E. Adams | Midland, Texas USA | 10/15/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I like "Risin' Outlaw" and Disc One of "Straight to Hell" better for strength of the songs and creativity, but "Lovesick, Broke and Drifting" becomes more enjoyable with each listen. There are no tracks that just jump out and shake III's talent in your face, as you can find on those other two albums, but none of the 13 tracks are clunkers, either. This Williams proclaims and promotes the benefits of marijuana and alcohol and who knows what other substances, laments the state of the "country music business/radio playlists" and represents the family genes well, especially the dark side, at least on record. I hope he doesn't live real life quite as wildly as his songs would indicate...he has already lived almost ten years longer than his grandfather, but I want him around at least as long as his daddy's been here. Since his professional career is well past a decade long now, it seems unlikely he will become a "star" at the level of his father or grandfather, but I hope I live long enough (I'm almost 66) to hear what Hank III is writing and singing about at age 50. He's not quite 40 now. I think the guy will just get better and better, and since this CD came out eight years ago, his subsequent releases have already proved me right. He puts out "hillbilly hard rocking country" with an old-fashioned sound but his songs are themed around the perils and poisons and pleasures of modern life. If you liked the writing and vocals you heard from his bloodline, try the youngest Hank too. Dad and Grandad had different kinds of "it" (the thing that hooks the listeners and makes fans) and so does Third."