Album Review: Hank Williams, Jr.’s ‘It’s About Time’

Hank Williams, Jr. is back.

If anything else, that’s what you will come away with after listening to It’s About Time, his first all-new album in four years. After a long association with his previous label that turned sour at the end, his signing with fellow musical maverick Scott Borchetta at Nash Icon has given him a bit of a creative spark. No, make that a lot of creative spark!

There are moments in listening to this album that I promise you that you can take the disc, put it right between the one-two punch of Montana Café and Born To Boogie. There’s plenty of that Rock and Roll swagger that made him a legend in the 1980s, but also some moments that will remind you what a master of the Traditional Country ballad he can be. (If you need proof of this, listen to “When Something Is Good (Why Does It Change)” or “Heaven Can’t Be Found” from those albums. You’ll be glad you did.)

It’s About Time kicks off with the fiery collaboration with Eric Church on the Waylon Jennings (by way of Neil Young) classic “Are You Ready For The Country.” It’s a great track – one that makes you glad to hear ‘Bocephus’ on the radio again – but as you will find, there is so much more on this disc. He keeps up the party vibe on “Club U.S.A.,” which will no doubt keep many of his fans on their feet at his live shows, and reveal that he hasn’t lost that confident swagger with the raucous “Dress Like An Icon” – which was written before the singer signed with his new label.

On the other side of the spectrum, there are moments where he shows that traditional side as good as he ever has. “Those Days Are Gone” is a stirring nod to the roots (and disappearance of?) of modern Country Music, while “God And Guns” will no doubt resonate with many of his longtime fans. It’s a very timely song, but Williams has never shied away from somewhat controversial subjects. Possibly the highest watermark of the twangier cuts is his take on Mel Tillis’ “Mental Revenge.” The songwriter took it to No. 15 in 1976, but it was also one of the early hits from Waylon Jennings. Hank simply owns this cut, with all of his bravado. He’s not simply hoping that his ex falls on hard times, he’s almost willing it to happen. He sounds like a man emotionally uncaged on this track – and hell hath no fury like Randall Hank when he’s scorned. Kudos also go to the musicians on this – who conjure up a nice mix of Classic Country sounds and Dickey Betts.

There are two other performances that must be noted. “Wrapped Up, Tangled Up in Jesus (God’s Got It)” gives the singer a chance to revisit his “Thunderhead Hawkins” persona – first revealed in the 2002 album The Almeria Club. It’s a Gospel Blues cut that he slays. Maybe, because it’s unlike much of what he has done in his career, the difference sets it apart. But, I don’t know that he has ever sounded more soulful than he has here. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he is joined by the incomparable The McCrary Sisters on here – a collaboration the singer hopes to visit again.

Then, he demonstrates what a great songwriter he can be when he has the fire. You might look at the title “Just Call Me Hank,” and think it’s another macho tribute to the Williams’ ‘Family Tradition.’ It does tip the hat to history, but it’s an emotional ballad performance that reminds the listener that whether you want to call him an outlaw, a legend, or… an icon, he’s happiest when just being himself.

The song does state that he doesn’t care about the Hall of Fame, referring to the institution that he has (amazingly) not been forever enshrined in yet. Somehow, I feel that day is pretty close. A matter of months, perhaps? We will see what happens this spring with that, but it’s so welcome to have one of the format’s most consummate entertainers doing what he does best – with a fire in his stomach. Not only is Hank Williams, Jr. back, It’s About Time serves as a reminder that he was, is, and will always be the biggest badass in Country Music. Listen and learn, youngsters, THIS is how it’s done!