Eminem released a new album on the same day “Quit!” came out. In that case, will the real Slim Shady please stand up?
Hardy spits the rhymes on the title track—as he rages against whoever wrote “Quit” on a napkin and put it in his tip jar years ago.
It is a brilliant opener. And if I’d usually add the word “astonishing” here, then the most astonishing thing about Hardy is this: other artists say they care about genres, expectations, and whatever. Here’s the one that means it.
You see, Michael Hardy could have just done the country thing. My god, he’s written about a million hit singles for others, but HARDY didn’t fancy that. About halfway through last year’s wonderful “Mockingbird And The Crow” album, he went “metal” and he never looked back.
The rock songs on that one were all written in uppercase. Here, let’s be clear, they all are.
“ROCKSTAR” has a nod to Nickelback, but crucially—and this is the really clever thing about HARDY—it still has the lyrics of a country song. So he’s a “lucky redneck” and he’s not sure: “Damn, y’all, what the hell is my life now?” he asks.
Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith appears on “GOOD GIRL PHASE” part Buckcherry and part Blink-182, and the braggadocious “I DON’T MISS” mixes country and metal supremely.
There’s a sense of humour all through this. “PSYCHO” is genuinely funny (and is the Most pop thing here (whatever the stylings).
US pop star Knox is all over “HAPPY HOUR” and “Jim Bob.” Despite its vicious breakdown bringing to mind the likes of King 810, it is still a redneck anthem.
All of these could have been—and would have been—conventional country songs in other hands. “WHYBMWL” isn’t a million miles away anyway, but the arena rock of “TIME TO BE DEAD” is. That’s the joy.
The fact that Fred Durst rolls (sorry) in for “SOUL4SALE” is fun, and he enjoys his rap, but he’s at his absolute best with the passion and the anger of “LIVE FOREVER” (sort of a companion piece to “Wait in the Truck” from the last one, it seems).
There’s a darkness here “ORPHAN” makes it clear, and “SIX FEET UNDER (Cayleigh’s Song) has it too, despite its acoustics: “Where do you go when you die? How do you know when you are there?” But any fragility goes about halfway through and it’s yet another reminder of the class here.
And whatever else “Quit!!” is, it’s classy. But even more, HARDY embodies the reason this site is called what it is better than most. Music should be a journey and you go where it leads. Everyone here knows that.
You suspect it pisses off the Grand Ole Opry traditionalists, but you suspect too, that HARDY couldn’t give two shits.
Be very glad he didn’t take the advice on that napkin.
Rating 9/10
