Undeniably one of the most iconic superstars in country music history, falling short to only a handful of legends including his own father, Hank Williams, Jr. is back. No stranger to success, with six Platinum, 20 Gold, and 13 chart topping albums cumulating into 70 million albums sold over his illustrious career. This is the first with Nash Icon Records, and according to Williams, “I have been doing this a long time, but I promise that this is the best album yet and fans will not be disappointed.”
The album cover sums up four decades of success in itself. The legendary hat, the black-out glasses, the beard covering up a near-death incident scar, and a cocky smirk indicating that when Williams sings about an icon, everybody listening knows who he’s describing.
1.) ‘Are You Ready For The Country’ (Feat. Eric Church) – Written by Neil Young.
Impression: There is no better way to begin an album than the way Hank begins here, blend together a legendary and modern day outlaws, and a mega-hit originally performed by the great Waylon Jennings and you are bound for success. The song is more rock infused than the Jennings original, but lets the listener know that they are in for a wild ride through the end.
Favorite Lyrics: My name is Bocephus. My name’s the chief. Are you ready for the country? Are you ready for me?
2.) ‘Club U.S.A’ – Written by Tony Stampley and Bonnie Swayze.
Impression: This patriotic anthem will have you on your feet two-stepping, the horns and the drumbeat have you wondering if this song came from 2015 or the same era of ‘All My Rowdy Friends.’
Favorite Lyrics: We’ve got swimming pools, barbeques in the back yard, got Kid Rock and Sandra. Dirty Harry movie stars…
3.) ‘God Fearin’ Man’ – Written by Chris Janson, Brandon Kinney and Kendell Marvell.
Impression: Another upbeat song describing the life of the American, blue-collared individual. The background vocals and the speedy electric guitar licks turn the chorus into a highlight of the album that will have you singing along in no time.
Favorite Lyrics: Just your ordinary, everyday, one woman lovin’, baby raisin’, blue-collar, God fearin’, man…
4.) ‘Those Days Are Gone’ – Written by Chris Janson, Brice Long, Terry McBride
Impression: A personal favorite, this song is a nod to the older times in music and in life. The piano and steel guitar take over behind the iconic voice, and will have you tapping your feet the first time you hear it, and if you listen close you might be able to pick up a few lyrics and song titles from the days Williams is missing.
Favorite Lyrics: No David Allan Coe on the radio, those days are gone…
5.) ‘Dress Like An Icon’ – Written by Hank Williams, Jr.
Impression: The song title and the cockiness in his voice alike, you know right off the bat that Williams knows that he’s the best there is, and the lyrics prove his statement. The most powerful part of this song isn’t the lyrics however, but the horn solo near the three minute mark.
Favorite Lyrics: Sing like Hank Williams, Yeah you’ve got it goin’ on. Know you’ve already won, social media makes the best. Hell yes I’m an icon…
6.) ‘God And Guns’ – Written by Mark Stephan Jones, Travis Meadows, Bud Tower
Impression: Another album favorite, a remake of the title track to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s last studio album that will have any true southern rock junkie chomping at the bit. I was personally worried about this track, the original being one of my all-time favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd songs, but Hank Williams, Jr. goes above and beyond, a true blend of hard rock, country, guitar solos, and patriotism.
Favorite Lyrics: I don’t know how he grew up, but it sure wasn’t down at the hunting club, cause if it were he’d understand, just a little bit more about the working man…
7.) ‘Just Call Me Hank’ – Written by Hank Williams, Jr.
Impression: The first slow down on the album is no disappointment, and my favorite song on the album. There are so many different layers lyrically to this song, from pointing out sold out crowds at every venue he’s in, missing his fellow outlaw Waylon Jennings, and even a shot at his distaste for the Country Music Hall of Fame. Hank Williams, Jr. knows that he is at the top of the mountain that is country music, and this song is his statement piece.
Favorite Lyrics: I don’t care about the Hall of Fame. I’m just gonna live my life in my country boy kind of way…
8.) ‘Mental Revenge’ – Written by Mel Tillis.
Impression: When the great David Allan Coe proclaimed the requirements of a great country and western song, he left out the most important of all, what is country music without a great breakup revenge song? Hank Jr. didn’t leave it out fortunately enough for us, as it translates into a fantastic song about the wishes of an ex-lover.
Favorite Lyrics: I hope that the train, from Caribou, Maine, runs over your new love affair, and you walk the floor, from door to door, and pull out your peroxide hair…
9.) ‘It’s About Time’ – Written by Hank Williams, Jr.
Impression: Another horn fueled, piano driven foot tapping anthem, Hank Jr. doesn’t disappoint with the title track. Shoutouts to Waylon, Haggard, and even his mother and father Hank & Audrey, Hank describes his disapproval for the ‘weird pop country sound,’ and it all came together into a song bound for success, on a sold out stage and hopefully country radio.
Favorite Lyrics: It’s about time for some country songs, it’s about time to play some southern rock to the bone, cause we’ve had enough of this weird pop country sound, all my guitar brothers and sister gather around…
10.) ‘The Party’s On’ – Written by Hank Williams, Jr., Joe Kent and Tony Stampley.
Impression: Hank Williams, Jr. is possibly known best for his party anthems, typically describing wild nights with his “Rowdy Friends” Waylon, Haggard, Cash, Coe, and Willie, and this song is up there with the best of them. A steady drum beat, a progressively rising horn section, and female background chorus singers will have this song on every 2016 party playlist coast to coast.
Favorite Lyrics: Lots of good lookin’ women on the hunt, three beers in and I think I’ve found me one…
11.) ‘Wrapped Up, Tangled Up in Jesus (God’s Got It)’ – Written by Reverend Charlie Jackson.
Impression: At nearly seven minutes, this song takes on a feeling of its own. It doesn’t match the rest of the album at all, but in a good way. It really displays Williams’s vocal range and powerful voice. Along with a deep, loosely tuned, bluesy guitar and female orchestra in the background, this song comparing faith in God to a fish on a hook will leave you wanting more, especially after the screaming harmonica solo nearing the end.
Favorite Lyrics: It was a big fish on the hook, he was twisting and turning, trying to get loose. The hook had him down and he couldn’t get loose. I said I wish the Lord would hook me one day like this hooked fish…
12.) ‘Born To Boogie’ (Feat. Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore) – Written by Hank Williams, Jr.
Impression: Seeing this song on the track list had me itching to get my hands on it, one of my all-time favorite Bocephus songs, and this updated, rocking version is the perfect way to end an album along with some modern day rowdy friends. Justin Moore, famously known for his want to ‘Hank It,’ and Brantley Gilbert fit in so well with their individual style of singing, it all comes together for an epic collaboration.
Favorite Lyrics: My name is Bocephus, I drink whiskey by the gallon, I never back down and I love a good challenge…
Anybody who might think that old Bocephus is just mailing it in nowadays is set up to be proven wrong with this latest collection of classic outlaw sound. There is no denying that Hank Jr. is still on top of the industry, and shows no sign of slowing down. Arguably his best work of this millennium, Bocephus and his rowdy outlaw sound has fans worldwide rejoicing and proclaiming ‘It’s About Time.’