music

Joe Swank & the Zen Pirates

Hank Williams Died for My Sins

Citing Hank Williams in any album title raises the stakes a bit. With a title track that claims Hank himself has absolved our transgressions, the stakes are even higher. Fortunately, the band’s devil-may-care honky-tonk steps up to the challenge. The piano-based intro sounds like an old-time gospel recording, leading into what could be a listing of many of those typical “sins”—falling in love with the wrong person (“Fool for You”), staying in love with the wrong person (“Just Tell Her I Loved Her”), drinkin’ too much and partyin’ too much (“Tomorrow’s Just a Train Wreck Away”). The band even makes Kiss’ crunchy rocker “Strutter” into a barroom-ready anthem. This anti-modern country music would do Hank proud.

• February 8, 2010
• by Jessica Phillips