Ghost to a Ghost / Gutter Town

iTunes Review

Finally departed from his old record label, Hank Williams III released three albums on September 6, 2011. The other two releases, Attention Deficit Domination and Cattle Callin, focus on his doom metal and cattle-core interests, while Ghost to A Ghost / Gutter Town tends to his country-music lineage. The son of Hank Williams, Jr. and grandson of Hank Williams, Sr., Hank 3 understands the music from the inside out. “The Devil’s Movin’ In” plays like a ghostly Appalachian blues that Will Oldham’s been seeking his entire career. “Ray Lawrence Jr.” is written and performed by his bandmate of the same name. “Time to Die” plays like a tribal ghost dance. “Ghost to a Ghost” itself, with Primus’ Les Claypool and Tom Waits, is some high weirdness that makes itself better known on the second half of the album with “Chord of the Organ,” “Chaos Queen” and  “Thunderplain.” “Outlaw Convention” and “C**t of a Bitch” make clear Williams’ decision to remain with “outlaw country.” “Gutter Stomp” is informed by a Cajun influence, while “Fadin’ Moon” throws country fiddle and Tom Waits into the mix.