Search - Hank Williams Jr. :: 127 Rose Avenue

Hank Jr's "Avenue" in the Zip Code of Relevance

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 06/16/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: Mighty Oak Trees, All the Roads (with Grascals), Gulf Shore Road



Hank Jr is a lodestar many younger artists should aspire to emulate. At age 60, while many of his peers have long hung up their boots or resigned to singing at Branson (the cemetery of country music), this ferocious honky tonk rocker is still signed to a major label and making visits to the Billboard country charts. And it doesn't come as a surprise that the secret to his longevity is his ability to connect with the changing times. Not that his music morphs with trends. Rather, Hank Jr. is not afraid of addressing issues our modern society faces in his own candid, gutsy and masculine ways without going all mawkish. Thus, in many ways he has become the voice of Middle America without the garnish of societal posh. "127 Rose Avenue," Hank Jr's first full length CD of new material in 6 years, finds its zip code in such a territory. Whether it's child abuse, the current economic recession, domestic mismatch, this Junior Bocephus takes them on with penetrating poignancy.



With its militant beat and its hell-raising guitars, on the opener "The Farm" Hank Jr shows all the younger country rock acts how it is to rock with an unapologetic abandon. While current single "Red, White and Pink Slip Blues" ought to strike a chord with victims of the current economic recession via the story's main character, a millworker who had been given the boot after his factory closed down. Writer Steven Dale Jones' attention paid to the song's moving storyline is what makes this a worthy hit for Hank Jr. Political incorrectness is a term never found in Hank Jr's vocabulary as "High Maintenance Woman" (not the Toby Keith song of the same title) deals with a relationship mismatch between a spendthrift of a wife and her low-budget guy. Hank Jr tells it with his usual candour that is belly aching funny. "Sounds Like Justice," another message song, tackles the thorny issue of child abuse. Hank Jr's enforces his stomping uncompromising stance with its fist pumping anthemic chorus as he keeps repeating "Sounds like justice to me."



There are a couple of slowies: on the bluesy swampy ballad "Mighty Oak Trees," Hank Jr does slow down a notch to tip his hat to those who have supported him throughout his life. While the mulling "Gulf Shore Road" is a languid getaway kind of ballad which shows a romantic side of this rocker we rarely hear about. The title track "127 Rose Avenue" refers to the home of Hank Jr's legendary dad's home, which has been turned into museum. With a hint of sadness and hope, Hank Jr recalls a visit to his childhood and even having to pay for an admission ticket only to be greeted warmly by his dad's spirit. Most surprising though is "All the Roads," an excursion into bluegrass. Here Hank Jr actually delivers one of the most catchy love songs in a long while, this time in unison with bluegrass group the Grascals.



However, not all is stellar: "Forged By Fire" is far too preachy and politically drive. While his tribute to his dad "Long Lonesome Blues" gets a little overindulgent running over 6 minutes. Nevertheless, "124 Rose Avenue" finds Hank Jr back into the map of viability. Even after all the changes in country music, Hank Jr still reminds us through this new disc that he is still as relevant and vital. Once again, he confirms that he is still the original country rocker par excellence.

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NON HANK FANS WILL BE SURPRISED !

KAZAN | Birmingham, Alabama | 06/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Exceptional music & vocals. Was able to see Hank perform on Fox, encouraged me to purchase this cd. I was not disappointed! I am not a big long time Hank fan, however I do enjoy some of his past recordings. I am a former musician that takes alot of pride in my choice of music.(mostly blues or old rock)This cd is truly something special.When Hank hits those low notes it will send chills up your spine. I assure you that I do not listen to junk, and I believe this cd will become a much loved classic. If you are a lover of great music, especially country, blues or rock, you will not be disappointed in this purchase. It is already one of my favorites, and will be for years to come."

No Pink Slip Blue for Hank

J. Blanton | Whitehouse TX | 06/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Classic Hank, everything from country to blues. Particularly strong are "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" and "Farm Song". I would highly recommend this CD for anyone that is a Hank fan. It's just a shame that radio station insist on playing phony acts like Rascal Flatface and Keith Duckface in lieu of Hank. I sure hope Hank stays on Monday Night Football and keeps kicking butt with his music, after all, it is a "Family Tradition".







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