Hank Williams III: Damn Right Rebel Proud

Hank Williams III's fourth studio album, which was originally released in 2008, gets an update with blue and black colored vinyl on this pressing from 2011. Note, if you're expecting audiophile quality, you're in the wrong place. But for what this is, a punk country hybrid from Hank Sr.'s rebellious grandson, this pressing delivers.

What You're Getting
Damn Right Rebel Proud is Hank III at his most confrontational. The first half throws down traditional honky tonk country with breakneck picking on tracks like "Six Pack of Beer" and "Wild & Free." Then it takes a hard left turn into punk and metal territory with "Candidate for Suicide" and "P.F.F." (Punch, Fight, Fuck). There's even a tribute to GG Allin. This isn't your grandfather's country music. Well, actually it kind of is, just with more fury and distortion.

The album comes as a double gatefold LP. Side A and B handle the country material. Side C and D dive into the heavier stuff. The packaging is solid. Gatefold with decent artwork, though nothing fancy. Some versions included a bonus CD, but this pressing does not.

Pressing Quality
* Here's the reality: colored vinyl pressings from Sidewalk/Curb in the early 2010s were hit or miss. This one falls somewhere in the middle.
* The Good: The vinyl is reasonably thick, not flimsy. Ours is flat with no warping. The gatefold is sturdy. Between tracks, the surface is mostly quiet.
* The Acceptable: There's some light surface noise during quieter passages, particularly on Side A. Nothing that ruins the experience, but it's there. The blue and black swirl looks cool spinning, but aesthetics don't matter if it sounds bad.
* The Reality: With music this raw and aggressive, a little surface noise almost works. The fast picking, driving drums, and Hank's snarling vocals mask most of the pressing imperfections. On Side D where things get genuinely heavy and distorted, you won't notice any vinyl artifacts at all.

Compared to the original 2008 black vinyl pressing with red labels, this colored variant is slightly noisier but not dramatically worse. If you're hunting for the quietest version, find an original. If you want something that looks different on the shelf and sounds good enough, this works.

Sonics
The mastering is loud and in your face, which suits the material. Bass has punch. Drums hit hard. Hank's vocals sit right where they should, front and center with attitude. The fiddle and pedal steel on the traditional tracks have presence without getting lost.

Again, this release isn't trying to be a reference pressing. It's not supposed to showcase audiophile detail or soundstage. It's meant to sound raw, immediate, and aggressive. On those terms, it succeeds.

The second LP (Sides C and D) gets noticeably heavier in tone and production. Some listeners hate this shift. I get it. The album is lopsided on purpose. First half is honky tonk rebellion. Second half is straight chaos. If you only care about traditional country, you'll never flip past Side B. But if you appreciate Hank's refusal to stay in one lane, the whole package makes sense.

Versus Other Pressings
* Original 2008 Black Vinyl: Slightly quieter surfaces, arguably the best sounding version. Harder to find in good condition now.
* 2023 Reissue: Reports suggest better pressing quality with less noise. If you want the quietest version available today, that's probably your best bet.
* This 2011 Blue/Black: Middle ground. Looks cooler than standard black, sounds slightly worse than the original but not enough to matter unless you're A/B testing them.

Should You Buy It?
* If you're a Hank III collector: Yes, assuming you can find it at a reasonable price. These colored variants don't show up often.
* If you love outlaw country with punk attitude: Absolutely. The album itself is essential if you're into artists who refuse to play by Nashville's rules.
* If you're an audiophile purist: Probably not. The music is intentionally raw, the pressing is decent but not exceptional, and colored vinyl adds nothing to sound quality.
* If you think modern country is too polished and safe: Buy this immediately. It's the antidote to everything wrong with mainstream country.

The Album Itself
Quick note on the music: This is Hank III's most successful album for a reason. When he locks into traditional country mode, few can touch his songwriting and picking. "Long Hauls and Close Calls," "Wild & Free," and "Me and My Friends" are first rate honky tonk. The second half's punk intensity won't work for everyone, but it's genuine. Love it or hate it, Hank isn't posturing. This is who he is.

The Vinyl Verdict
The blue and black vinyl pressing of Damn Right Rebel Proud is a solid 7/10. Not perfect, but good enough. The music matters more than the pressing quality here, and the music is undeniably powerful.

If you're looking for pristine surfaces and reference sound, look elsewhere. If you want an album that kicks against the system with real fury and don't mind a little vinyl noise along the way, this delivers. The colored vinyl looks good, the pressing is acceptable, and the album itself remains one of the most vital country records of the 2000s.

For fans of the music, the minor pressing flaws are irrelevant. This is about attitude, energy, and refusing to compromise. On those terms, it's a winner. Consider buying it if you can find it. 💵

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