127 Rose Avenue

Hank Williams, Jr. knows all about anthemic choruses and rallying his troops around contemporary concerns. In some ways, he’s a conservative good ol’ boy and in others he’s a hungry artist looking for a way to remain relevant. “Farm Song” opens 127 Rose Avenue with a firestorm of rock n’ roll percussion, out-of-control fiddling, and a vocal that wouldn’t sound out of  place on a hip-hop album. “Red, White & Pink Slip Blues,” the album’s first single slows things down and traces the recession for tax paying Americans who continue to see their jobs shipped elsewhere and are unable to earn a decent living. “Sounds Like Justice” looks at how much law and order money can buy. “High Maintenance Woman” is not the Toby Keith hit, but an original with similar themes and fiery guitar solos that would be hard rock by anyone’s estimation. “Last Driftin’ Cowboy” (with an opening sample from “Honky Tonk Blues”) and a blues-based approach to “Long Gone Lonesome Blues” continue his tributes to his late father and country legend.