Customer Reviews

Viper of Melody

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Viper of Melody" is a welcome addition to the growing catalog of Wayne Hancock. This album features that great Hank Williams infused twang that we've come to love. Highlights include 'Jump the Blues' and 'Dog House Blues' which is sure to be a live sparkler. 'Your Love and His Blood' is written in the style of the murder ballads from the 1930s. While harking back to the great depression, 'Working at Working' is a song we can all relate to during these uncertain times. "Viper of Melody" easily fits into the rest of Hancock's discography. Every now and then Wayne mixes things up a little with a dash of Dixieland or Jazz. In contrast, "Viper of Melody" is back to the basics Juke Joint with steel guitar (Anthony Locke), upright bass (Huckleberry Johnson), electric guitar (Izak Zaidman) and Wayne on acoustic guitar. Thematically, this album also aligns with the rest of his work featuring tunes about unemployment, lost love and traveling. Vipers were reefer enthusiasts in the 1920s. The title fits because "Viper of Melody" is smokin'!

Wayne's name is all over the package - and he wrote all the songs and sings lead, so that's probably right. BUT, there are three other guys here too and they are as much a part of its rockin' success as Hancock. He shouts out their names - Izak, Tony, and Huckleberry - in the opening track, "Jump The Blues", and gives them solos. Those solos continue through the other 12 songs. This is not "country" as another reviewer pointed out. Hancock was born and raised in Texas - Austin area I think, but not sure - and grew up with mentors like Joe Ely and Robert Earl Keen. (They certainly aren't country.). Think Western Swing and Honky Tonk and you get the idea.

Put this on while you are working around the house and see if you don't start working faster! This music is contagious.

I'm not a huge fan of Hancock's voice - a bit to high for me - but there's no denying that he rocks out and that's what makes this CD so much fun.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

Wayne Hancock has never put out a bad album yet. Love the songs "Movin On", "Dog House Blues", Throwin Away My Money", "Drivin My Young Life Away", "Your Love & His Blood". This is just great country music!

I am a fan and was anxious to hear the new release. I was dissappointed. There is just something off here. It's like they recorded the songs at 4:30 AM after a long night. I wished I could turn a knob and speed the tempo up 10%. It just sort of drags. The playing is good and all, but it does not have the energy and vitality of his previous recordings. I hear the same of the new Big Sandy release. I know they are friends. Did they get the same producer or studio that dragged them both down?

All of Wayne Hancock's CDs have gotten more listener enjoyable since his first release in 1995. The melodies and band guitars keep improving.
Viper of Melody CD is by far the very best WH recording ever. All of the songs are enjoyable, a few are much better than enjoyable, and two are so outstanding that they should become country classics (High Rolling Train & Lonesome Highway). If these two were recorded by anyone with lots of radio airplay, they would be #1 on charts.
If you're a WH fan, or if you would like to experience fabulous country music, order this album. It will probably become the favorite CD of your lifetime.

My first Hancock CD after seeing a live show at Torque Fest 2011.
There newest CD but I wonder if it is they're best.
It's hard to make a studio recording as visually entertaining as a live show.
Viper is a great song.

Wow!!!!!! What a great piece of work. Being a big fan of Bob Will's, Hank Williams, and the likes of the great Western Kings. I was blown away. A perfect mix of traditional Country, Western Swing, and a splash of Rockabilly. Keep it comming Wayne! Steve-O, St. Louis

Wayne Hancock and his band are Amazing! if your a fan You need to have this one!

Wayne Hancock has added another gem of an album of country-hillbilly swing. If you love the music from Wayne's prior albums, then you'll love Viper of Melody. If you hate Wayne Hancock's music, then you'll hate'em even more, because he's the same as he ever was, and that suits me just fine.

I liked Hancock's previous album, _Tulsa_, but felt like it was a little flashy and the songwriting was getting a little tired.

Not to worry. _Viper_ is, once again, less repetitive and more like Hancock's earlier material. A little more rootsy and a little less "produced." Really good stuff.