Review
When you are diving into Hank Williams Jr.'s "Habits Old and New", you're peeling back the layers of a pivotal moment in his career from June 1980. It's kind of like that period in life where you’ve struck out on your own path, but still have one eye looking back at the roots that shaped you. Just after the impactful "Family Tradition" and "Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound", Hank Jr. found a way to tap into both his musical heritage and his personal evolution. Although it didn't receive quite the fanfare of its siblings, it earned its spot with a Gold certification and some serious spins on the country charts. I think about it like my uncle's old Trans Am, still going strong and rocking with a vibe all its own.
Now, I can't mention this album without lighting up about "Old Habits" and the fresh twist on "Kaw-Liga". These singles had a certain spark that showed Hank Jr.’s bridge between his father's groundbreaking influence and his own rising star. Beyond the singles, the album’s mix of originals and covers, like "Move It On Over" and "Dinosaur," paints a picture of a musician knowing no bounds. With Jimmy Bowen's production and the talents of fine musicianship from folks like Randy Scruggs, the sound is as rich as an Alabama sunset. Here’s an album that still connects, offering a story both old and new, much like flipping through an old photo album and finding something new each time. - Brenda
